Title: A methodology for developing Distributed Generation scenarios in urban areas using geographical information systems

Authors: Marc Medrano, Jack Brouwer, Marc Carreras-Sospedra, Marco A. Rodriguez, Donald Dabdub, G. Scott Samuelsen

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of Lleida, Spain. ' Advanced Power and Energy Program, University of California, Irvine CA 92697-3550, USA. ' Environmental Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Irvine CA 92697-3550, USA. ' Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University, USA. ' Environmental Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Irvine CA 92697-3550, USA. ' Advanced Power and Energy Program, University of California, Irvine CA 92697-3550, USA

Abstract: The implementation of Distributed Generation (DG) may lead to increased pollutant emissions that adversely affect air quality. This work presents a systematic methodology to characterise DG installation in urban basins. First, a set of parameters that characterise a DG implementation scenario is described. Second, a general approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data is presented. Third, the methodology is demonstrated by application to the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) of California. Results show that realistic scenarios in the SoCAB concentrate DG technologies nearby industrial zones and introduce pollutant mass increments no larger than 0.43% with respect to baseline emissions.

Keywords: distributed generation; scenarios; land use data; GIS; air quality; urban basins; urban areas; pollutant emissions; combined heat and power; CHP; spatial distribution; duty cycle; geographic information systems; electricity generation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2008.019958

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2008 Vol.6 No.4, pp.413 - 434

Published online: 18 Aug 2008 *

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