Impacto da Geração Distribuída no Equilíbrio Econômico-Financeiro das Distribuidoras de Energia Elétrica

Abstract

The increase in the Distributed Generation (DG) insertion presents many challenges for electric power Distribution Companies (DISCOs). Particularly, the utility grid is used by small producers as a storage system, injecting surplus energy at the time of high generation and low consumption, and reversing the flow when the opposite occurs. This dependence on DISCOs occurs because the energy self-sufficiency of consumer units is still considered economically unfeasible, given the high cost of electrical storage technologies. However, in Brazil, the increased DG insertion has become a financial risk for distributors, as fixed costs are recovered through volumetric tariffs. Therefore, the DG diffusion can affect the DISCOs Economic-Financial Balance (EFB) in the short and long term. However, the distribution companies do not have systematic analyzes that indicate how the increase in the DG insertion has impacted their EFB. Therefore, in the present article a qualitative analysis of the aforementioned impact is presented, considering technical and economic aspects. Based on this analysis, it will be possible to establish indicators that allow the quantification of impacts according to the DG penetration level. The results obtained so far provide valuable information for a distributor to adopt strategies in the DG management and in the negotiation with the regulatory agency at the tariff revisions period.