Backup Generators (BUGS): The Next Smart Grid Peak Resource?

This report examines consumer-owned backup generators (BUGS), which are distributed generation (DG) units used for emergency or standby applications and can be found in many dense commercial environments. This largely untapped fleet could potentially help flatten the utility load profile and/or supplement the utility generation fleet, according to the authors. Properly integrated, it could also have an environmental, as well as economic, benefit.