Source: http://distributedwind.org/home/learn-about-distributed-wind/what-is-distributed-wind/
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Wind and Water Power Technologies Office defines distributed wind in terms of technology application based on a wind project’s location relative to end-use and power-distribution infrastructure, rather than by technology size or project size; thus, the distributed wind market includes turbines and projects of many sizes. Wind systems are characterized as distributed based on the following criteria:
- Proximity to end-use: wind turbines installed at or near the point of end-use for the purposes of meeting onsite load or supporting the operation of the local (distribution or micro) grid.
- Point of interconnection: wind turbines connected on the customer side of the electric meter or directly to the local grid.
Distributed wind energy systems are connected either physically or virtually on the customer side of the meter (to serve onsite loads) or directly to the local distribution or micro grid (to support local grid operations or offset nearby loads). This distinction differentiates typically smaller distributed wind systems from power generated at wind farms comprised of dozens or hundreds of multi-MW wind turbines and sent via transmission lines to substations for subsequent distribution to loads.