Methods for the Analysis of the Distribution of Decentralized Energy Generation

Two major ongoing developments in electricity grids are the implementation of Smart Grid solutions and distributed energy generation. The research problem addressed in this paper is how to quantify and compare the dispersion of energy producers in a region. The paper compares two main methods for the analysis; Lorenz Curves, with the addition of Gini coefficients and a clustering approach. It can be concluded, that both methods have their advantages and disadvantages for this purpose. The proposed methods can help in distinguishing between centralized and distributed energy generation and give insights for policy decisions related to renewable energy and smart grids.