Letter to the Editor: On Islanding Operation in Systems with Distributed Generation

Abstract

The operation of distributed generation as an island is still the subject of discussion between utilities and customers, both as owners of distributed generators. For the utility company, operation in an island of generators (islanding) whose control is in the consumers' hands, could cause a high risk of equipment failure and compromise personnel safety. Thus, utilities are normally opposed to islanding and demand immediate disconnection in case of power supply shutdown. On the other hand, for customers who own distributed generation, islanding can represent the continuity of operation under conditions of reduced power, lower power quality, and limited production capability with much smaller economic losses to those who would experience deep voltage sags or total blackout.

Keywords:

• distributed generation
• short interruption
• voltage sag
• reliability