Energy & power systems guide
Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
Local generation, storage and controllable demand connected at distribution level.
Electrical safety boundary: this page explains the system conceptually. It does not provide procedures for live electrical work, switching, protection settings, conductor/breaker sizing, substation access or high-voltage operation. Those activities require qualified professionals, applicable codes and utility procedures.
Where this fits
Local generation, storage and controllable demand connected at distribution level.
Core system ideas
DER can include solar, batteries, flexible loads and other resources connected near customers.
High DER penetration can create bidirectional power flow and local voltage/protection challenges.
Aggregation and coordination can allow many small resources to provide broader system services.
Interfaces and tradeoffs
Modernization layers sensing, communications, software and power electronics onto the physical grid. Those additions create new capabilities as well as lifecycle, interoperability and cybersecurity dependencies.
What organizations measure
DER capacity, export/import, voltage, hosting capacity, curtailment and availability.