태양광, 풍력 등 재생 가능 에너지원은 가정과 기업에 비용 효율적인 전력 솔루션을 제공하여 분산형 발전을 중앙집중식 시스템에 대한 매력적인 대안으로 만들고 있습니다. 따라서 국지적 에너지 생산으로 인해 2024년 시장 규모는 1,119억 7,000만 달러로 급성장했고, 2032년에는 2,306억 7,000만 달러에 달할 것으로 예측됩니다.
분산형 발전 기술은 잉여 에너지의 저장을 가능하게 하고, 낭비를 방지하며, 특히 피크 시간대의 에너지 효율을 높입니다. 이러한 낭비 방지와 에너지 효율 향상으로 2026-2032년 연평균 10.43%의 성장률을 보일 것으로 예측됩니다.
분산형 발전 시장 정의/개요
분산형 발전(DG)은 일반적으로 분산형 에너지 자원으로 알려진 시스템을 동력원으로 하는 최종 사용자에 가까운 소규모 전력 생산을 말하며, 5kW에서 30MW 이상의 용량을 가진 DG는 재생에너지와 비재생에너지를 모두 활용하는 기술을 활용하여 풍력, 태양열, 지열, 마이크로 수력 등 재생에너지에 중점을 두고 있습니다. 풍력, 태양광, 지열, 소수력발전 등의 재생 가능 에너지에 큰 중점을 두고 있습니다. 이러한 시스템은 중앙집중식 전력에 대한 접근이 제한되어 있는 외딴 지역이나 인구가 적은 지역에서 특히 유용하며, 보다 탄력적이고 지역 밀착형 전력 공급을 설명합니다.
분산형 발전기술은 주거, 상업, 산업 등 다양한 분야에 적용될 수 있는 다재다능한 기술입니다. 태양광 패널, 천연가스 연료전지, 소형 풍력 터빈, 바이오매스 연소, 비상용 백업 발전기, 열병합발전(CHP) 시스템 등의 형태로 도입되고 있습니다. 불규칙한 계통 전력 공급에 직면한 산업계에 DG는 신뢰할 수 있는 백업 전력을 제공하여 운영의 안정성을 높입니다.
이 접근 방식은 에너지 저장 기능을 제공하고 향후 사용을 위해 잉여 에너지를 보유함으로써 에너지 낭비를 줄이며, 많은 경우 기존 전력 시스템보다 비용 효율적임이 입증되었습니다. 인도 에너지 포털은 DG를 "에너지 관리 및 저장 시스템과 결합할 수 있는 소형 모듈형 발전 기술의 설치 및 운영"으로 정의하고 있으며, 이는 진화하는 에너지 환경에서 모듈성과 통합 가능성을 반영하고 있습니다.
에너지 비용 상승과 송전망 자립을 위한 정부의 이니셔티브이 분산형 발전 시장의 성장을 가속하고 있습니다. 예를 들어, 미국의 투자세액공제(ITC)는 2032년까지 태양광 발전 설비에 대해 30%의 세액공제를 명시하고 있습니다. 유럽연합(EU)은 2021-2024년까지 복구 및 복원 시설(Recovery and Resilience Facility)에서 2,250억 유로를 기후 관련 투자에 할당했습니다. 중국의 제14차 5개년 계획(2021-2025년)은 2025년까지 전력 소비에서 재생에너지가 차지하는 비율을 33%로 설정했습니다. 세계은행 에너지 가격 지수에 따르면 2022년 세계 전력 가격은 2021년 대비 123% 상승했고, EU에서는 2022년 8월 도매 전력 가격이 405유로/MWh로 사상 최고치를 기록했으며, 미국 에너지정보청(EIA) 데이터에 따르면 미국의 상업용 전력 가격은 2021-2022년 14.2% 상승했습니다.2% 상승했습니다.
또한, 안정적인 전력 공급에 대한 수요 증가와 기업의 지속가능성 목표 증가로 인해 분산형 발전의 채택이 증가하고 있습니다. 정전은 2022년 전 세계 3억 5,000만 명에게 영향을 미쳤습니다. 미국에서는 2021년 고객당 평균 7.8시간의 정전이 발생했습니다. 상업 및 산업 부문은 2022년 정전으로 인해 약 1,500억 달러의 손실을 입었고, 2024년까지 370개 이상의 기업이 RE100 이니셔티브에 참여하여 100% 재생에너지로 전력을 공급할 것을 약속했습니다. 기업의 재생에너지 구매량은 2021년에 31.1GW로 사상 최고치를 기록했습니다. 포춘지 선정 500대 기업의 75%가 2022년까지 이산화탄소 감축 목표를 설정했습니다.
높은 설치 비용과 설비 비용이 분산형 발전 시장의 성장을 가로막고 있습니다. 상업용 태양광 발전의 평균 설치 비용은 5만 달러에서 20만 달러입니다. 상업용 풍력 터빈의 설치 비용은 1MW당 260만-400만 달러(2024년)에 달할 전망입니다. 마이크로그리드 설치 비용은 상업용의 경우 1MW당 평균 210만 달러입니다. 또한 송전망 현대화 등 송전망 통합 및 기술적 과제는 미국에서만 2032년까지 5,000억 달러에 달할 것으로 추정됩니다. 분산형 에너지 자원의 통합 비용은 프로젝트 비용에 15-25% 추가됩니다. 전력회사의 67%가 2022년 주요 관심사로 기술적 통합 문제를 꼽았습니다.
또한, 규제와 정책의 불확실성, 숙련된 인력 부족도 시장에 도전이 되고 있습니다. 미국 내 40% 이상의 주에서 2022년 분산형 발전에 영향을 미치는 규제 변경이 보류되었으며, 2022년 상호 연결 승인 기간은 평균 45-180일로 프로젝트 지연의 원인이 되고 있습니다. 순 계량 정책의 변경은 2020-2024년 사이 15개 주에서 태양광 발전 설치에 영향을 미쳤습니다. 재생에너지 부문은 2022년 17%의 인력 부족에 직면했습니다. 유지보수 비용은 분산형 발전 시스템 전체 운영 비용의 11-30%를 차지합니다. 기술자 교육 및 자격 취득에 12-24개월이 소요되며, 이는 프로젝트의 병목현상이 되고 있습니다.
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind provide cost-effective power solutions for homes and businesses, making distributed power generation an attractive alternative to centralized systems. Thus, the localized energy production surges the growth of market size USD 111.97 Billion in 2024 to reach the valuation of USD 230.67 Billion by 2032.
The distributed generation technology enables the storage of excess energy, preventing waste and enhancing energy efficiency, especially during peak production periods. Thus, the prevention of waste and improving energy efficiency enables the market to grow at a CAGR of 10.43% from 2026 to 2032.
Distributed Generation Market: Definition/ Overview
Distributed Generation (DG) refers to small-scale electricity production close to the end users, typically powered by systems known as distributed energy resources. With capacities ranging from 5 kW to over 30 MW, DG leverages technologies that utilize both renewable and non-renewable energy sources, with a significant focus on renewables like wind, solar, geothermal, and micro-hydropower. These systems are especially beneficial in remote or underdeveloped areas with limited access to centralized power, offering a more resilient and localized power supply.
Distributed generation technologies are versatile, serving various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial. They are implemented in forms such as solar photovoltaic panels, natural gas fuel cells, small wind turbines, biomass combustion, emergency backup generators, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. For industries facing irregular grid power supply, DG provides reliable backup power, enhancing operational stability.
This approach offers energy storage capabilities, reducing energy waste by retaining excess energy for future use, and often proves more cost-effective than traditional power systems. The India Energy Portal defines DG as the "installation and operation of small modular power-generating technologies that can be combined with energy management and storage systems," reflecting its modularity and integration potential in the evolving energy landscape.
Government initiatives rising energy costs and grid independence propel the growth of the Distributed Generation Market. For instance, the U.S. Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides a 30% tax credit for solar installations through 2032. The European Union allocated €225 billion from its Recovery and Resilience Facility specifically for climate-related investments between 2021-2024. China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) set a target of 33% renewable energy in power consumption by 2025. Global electricity prices increased by 123% in 2022 compared to 2021 according to the World Bank's Energy Price Index. In the EU, wholesale electricity prices reached record highs of €405/MWh in August 2022. U.S. commercial electricity rates increased by 14.2% between 2021 and 2022 according to EIA data.
In addition, the growing demand for reliable power supply and increasing corporate sustainability goals increase the adoption of distributed generation. Power outages affected 350 million people globally in 2022. The U.S. experienced an average of 7.8 hours of power interruptions per customer in 2021. Commercial and industrial sectors lost approximately $150 billion due to power outages in 2022. Over 370 companies joined the RE100 initiative by 2024, committing to 100% renewable electricity. Corporate renewable energy purchases reached a record 31.1 GW in 2021. 75% of Fortune 500 companies have set carbon reduction targets as of 2022.
High implementation and equipment costs hamper the growth of the Distributed Generation Market. The average commercial solar installation cost ranges from $50,000 to $200,000. Commercial wind turbine installations can cost between USD 2.6 to USD 4 Million per MW (2024). Microgrid installation costs an average of USD 2.1 Million per MW for commercial applications. Also, grid integration and technical challenges, such as grid modernization need to be estimated at USD 500 Billion through 2032 in the U.S. alone. Integration costs for distributed energy resources add 15-25% to project costs. 67% of utilities reported technical integration issues as their primary concern in 2022
In addition, the regulatory and policy uncertainties and the lack of skilled workforce also create challenges in the market. Over 40% of U.S. states had pending regulatory changes affecting distributed generation in 2022. Interconnection approval times averaged 45-180 days in 2022, causing project delays. Changes in net metering policies affected solar installations in 15 states between 2020-2024. The renewable energy sector faced a 17% workforce shortage in 2022. Maintenance costs account for 11-30% of total operational expenses for distributed generation systems. Training and certification for technicians takes 12-24 months, creating project bottlenecks
The residential segment dominates in the Distributed Generation Market, owing to the suitability of compact, cost-effective systems for residential applications. Distributed generation technologies in this segment typically include solar photovoltaic panels, natural gas-fired fuel cells, small wind turbines, and emergency backup generators. These systems are well-suited for residential areas, as they require minimal space for installation and are relatively easy to operate and maintain, making them ideal for individual homes and small communities.
Lower installation costs and ease of use further drive the adoption of distributed generation in the residential sector. Homeowners benefit from renewable energy sources that not only reduce dependency on the grid but also offer a sustainable and reliable power supply.
In contrast, distributed generation for commercial and industrial sectors demands larger, higher-capacity systems, including wind turbines, combined heat and power (CHP) systems, hydropower, and biomass-based fuel cells. While capable of generating more power, these setups require more space and involve higher maintenance compared to residential systems. Despite these differences, the construction and infrastructure sectors remain key adopters of distributed generation for large-scale applications. However, the residential sector continues to drive significant market growth due to the appeal of affordable, space-efficient power solutions.
The fuel cells segment significantly dominates the Distributed Generation Market, with its unique advantages setting it apart from traditional power sources. Operating similarly to rechargeable batteries, fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only heat and water as byproducts when pure hydrogen is used. This results in a cleaner, eco-friendly power source with zero harmful emissions, making it highly attractive for sustainable energy initiatives.
Fuel cells offer several benefits over conventional power systems. Unlike combustion engines or wind turbines, fuel cells have no moving parts, ensuring quiet, reliable operation with minimal maintenance. They also require less space than solar or wind setups, making them a flexible solution for both mobile and stationary applications. In the transportation sector, fuel cells provide a pollution-free alternative to combustion engines, delivering higher efficiency and lower emissions. They also serve as a promising replacement for batteries, thanks to their quick refueling capability, high energy density, and lightweight design. These advantages drive widespread adoption across diverse applications, solidifying the fuel cells segment as a dominant force in the Distributed Generation Market.
EU's "Fit for 55" package aims to achieve 42.5% renewables in the energy mix by 2032. Germany increased renewable targets to 80% of electricity consumption by 2032. France pledged €30 billion for green energy transition through 2024. Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan allocated €23.78 billion for the green revolution and ecological transition. UK committed to 100% clean electricity by 2035, investing £12 billion in green initiatives
In addition, the growing wind and solar installation capacity increases the growth of the Distributed Generation Market in the region. Germany installed 6.84 GW of new solar capacity and 2.4 GW of wind power in 2022. Spain added 4.5 GW of solar PV capacity in 202. Italy reached 24.1 GW of cumulative solar PV capacity in 2022. The Netherlands achieved 14.3 GW of total solar capacity in 2022, up 30% from 2021. UK offshore wind capacity reached 10.5 GW in 2022, the highest in Europe
Also, energy security concerns and high electricity prices, for instance, European electricity prices surged by 200% in 2022 compared to 2021 Germany invested €12.4 billion in energy independence initiatives in 2022 France announced €45 billion package for energy self-sufficiency (2022-2024). Italy's distributed generation installations increased by 35% in 2022 due to energy security concerns. UK household energy bills increased by 54% in 2022, driving distributed generation adoption
Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fastest growth in the Distributed Generation Market during the forecast period driven by robust industrialization and growing urbanization. China's urbanization rate reached 65.22% in 2022, with over 920 million people living in urban areas. India's industrial sector electricity consumption grew by 11.3% in 2022. ASEAN countries invested USD 70 Billion in industrial development projects in 2022, requiring significant power infrastructure. Southeast Asia's urban population is expected to reach 400 million by 2032, driving energy demand. Strong
In addition, government support and renewable energy initiatives such as China invested $546 billion in renewable energy in 2022, the highest globally. India set a target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032, with USD 30 Billion allocated in 2022. Japan committed USD 146 Billion for green initiatives under its Green Growth Strategy (2021-2024). South Korea's Green New Deal allocated $61.9 billion for renewable energy projects between 2020-2025.
Also, the growing power demand and grid reliability issues contribute to the growth of the Distributed Generation Market in Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific's electricity demand grew by 3.4% in 2022, the highest among all regions. India experienced 7.6 billion units of power shortage in 2022. China's power consumption increased by 6.7% in 2022, reaching 8.6 trillion kWh. Southeast Asian countries faced an average of 9.4 hours of power outages per month in 2022. Indonesia plans to add 41 GW of distributed generation capacity by 2032 to improve grid reliability.
The Distributed Generation Market is a rapidly evolving landscape, driven by increasing demand for clean energy, energy security, and grid resilience. Key players in this market are diverse, ranging from traditional energy companies to innovative technology startups.
The organizations focus on innovating their product line to serve the vast population in diverse regions. Some of the prominent players operating in the Distributed Generation Market include Acument Global Technologies, Inc., Arconic, Inc., Bulten AB, STANLEY Engineered Fastening, Fortana Group, Hilti Corporation, LISI Group, MacLean-Fogg Company, MISUMI Group, Inc., Nifco, Inc.
In January 2024, Verdant Commercial Capital completed funding for EDPR NA Distributed Generation's (EDPR NA DG) solar projects in the United States. EDPR NA DG provides renewable energy solutions for sectors. Commercial spaces can be found in North America.
In January 2024, Aspen Power announced a partnership with a U.S.-based distributed generating platform and obtained USD 241.0 million in fresh financing to promote the growth and construction of new solar energy projects.