The worldwide market for power generation is undergoing a tremendous transformation to competition. At the same time, new cost-effective distributed generation technologies are becoming commercialized. Current trends, both in the U.S. and international markets, favor distributed generation technologies for some key applications.

RDC has provided consulting advice on small-scale power generation for nearly two decades. Clients include project developers, equipment manufacturers, utilities, end-users, trade associations and financial institutions. Our work began in the early 1980s with cogeneration feasibility studies and market assessments. In the 1990s, we helped several U.S. companies assess and act on distributed generation business opportunities. Projects typically quantify the market for distributed generation technologies as well as develop effective business strategies.

During 2000-2002 we have significantly contributed to development of the IEEE 1547 interconnection standard and to a couple of the statewide interconnection standards.

For more extensive Distributed generation information, see our Distributed Generation Information Center.

Recent accomplishments include:

• Assessment of the worldwide market for small-scale power generation equipment for a major manufacturer of distributed generation prime movers, and development of a comprehensive business strategy.
  
  
  
  • Market analyses for numerous energy companies developing distributed generations businesses.
  
  
  
  • Technology assessment and analysis of market potential and economics of microturbines and fuel cell technologies.
  
  
  
  • Continued development of a software product for EPRI called the Distributed Resources Workstation, which creates detailed economic analyses of specfic distributed generation projects.
  
  
  
  • Continued development of the Distributed Power Economic Rationale SElection (DISPERSE) model which estimates the market potential for distributed generation in a specific geographic region. DISPERSE has been developed and enhanced over five years, and has been used in numerous projects for utilities, equipment manufacturers, government agencies, and research organizations.