Smart Grid, Distributed Generation, and Standards

The purpose of this paper is to gather and document the most pertinent information about the "Smart Grid," explore its many components, and propose some suitable attributes while considering Distributed Generation (DG) interconnection as a major integral part. Effects of various Smart Grid components on Generation, Transmission, Substation and other sections of the power systems are identified and discussed. Latest DG interconnection rules and standards are reviewed and presented. Major technical concerns due to interconnection of DG at higher penetrations are investigated and explored by simulations using a utility grade computer program. Simulation results verifying the technical issues are presented. Some of the main limitations of the current rules and standards are pointed out. Some solutions and further research to overcome these limitations are proposed.