Technologies of the distributed generation: empirical evaluations of the innovations acceptance

INTRODUCTION

Today, the electric power industry is undergoing a radical transformation, the main driver of which is technological innovation, which makes it possible to move to a fundamentally new stage of development. In recent years, there have been changes that led to a review of requirements for generation facilities, network infrastructure and, in general, organization of electricity and electricity markets. Increasing depreciation of the electric power infrastructure, involving of distributed energy resources (including renewable ones) into turnover, changing the role of traditional energy sources and energy carriers, increasing demand for electricity and transforming its quality characteristics, changing consumer behavior patterns - all this requires studying distribution factors of new technologies in the electric power industry for transition to the next energy structure.

The global trend is gradual abandonment of centralized energy supply. Thus, already 12.5% of large producers in the world use their own generating sources. The absolute leader is Denmark, where already more than half of production lines have transited to their own sources. In Russia, such enterprises still make only about 6%. The trend is traced at the level of large consumers, who refuse the electricity received from the UPN one by one in favor of installing their own small (distributed) generation. Accordingly, consumers connected to the UPN at a low voltage level (small and medium-sized enterprises) are forced to bear additional costs associated with the operation of the UPN and suffer a decrease in efficiency due to rising electricity prices.

Two approaches to created imbalance were formed:

• the current situation jeopardizes the continued existence and development of the UPN;
• development of own small (distributed) generation will allow the EES to reach inefficient capacities, reduce fuel consumption during peak hours due to use of electricity from consumer generation, reduce the amount of required and paid reserves, which will increase the efficiency and reliability of the operation of the UPN of Russia.

For example, according to results of a competitive power take-off (CPT) conducted by the System Operator (JSC SO UPN) in September 2016, more than 15 GW were unclaimed in the wholesale market. According to estimates of the System Operator, more than 20 GW will not find demand while maintaining the existing rules in 2018.

The objective of the research is estimation of problems and prospects of application of distributed generation technologies by industrial companies.

THE ORETICAL REVIEW

Definition and composition of distributed generation technologies

Distributed energy systems are independent from centralized networks of generating capacities, are designed to generate electricity in close proximity to local consumers, taking into account their specific requests for volumes and consumption profile. Academic studies of the corresponding concept and its aspects began in the 1960s in the UK. The first companies that built distributed power systems opened in the US and Europe in the mid-1980s with the help of venture capitalists. Soon the investment boom began in distributed generation technologies, and the technology vendors market had formed by the end of the twentieth century, the share of distributed generation began to grow at first in the United States and Great Britain, in continental Europe. According to estimates of consulting agencies, the increase in the total amount of generating capacity by 15-25% will be covered by distributed power networks by the end of 2020.

In studies you can find different approaches to the very concept itself. Distributed generation is understood as "generation in a decentralized power system to cover energy needs of isolated (unconnected to main power grids) consumers" [Bauen A., Elawkes A., 2004; Ackermann T., Anderson G., Soeder L., 2001]. Distributed generation considers production of energy "at the level of a distributed network or at the side of a consumer included into the network" [Guan F. Tl., 2008]. In this case, distributed generation can be used to generate both electricity and heat.

Distributed generation includes not only generation itself, but also distributed energy storage (DESS) systems, price- dependent consumption reduction programs, consumer energy efficiency measures, micro grids and electric vehicles (for example [Frankel D., WagnerA., 2017]). For example, today most of the installed capacity of distributed energy resources in the US is not generation, but a price-dependent reduction in consumption and measures to increase energy efficiency. Only programs of various energy companies in order to reduce electricity consumption during hours of greatest demand can reduce peak consumption (respectively, the need for additional units and network infrastructure) by 5-6%, or by several tens gigawatts. For example, the ConEdison company saved more than $1 billion of investments, which were to expand the network infrastructure in several areas of New York. Instead, the company launched a large-scale program of load reduction for 52 MW at peak hours, its implementation cost $200 million.

Through the auction, the program was contributed with a lot of different measures - from replacing bulbs to more efficient installation of power accumulators from consumers and aggregated management of this equipment.

In Russia, price-based demand management programs are launched for large consumers, but so far only the RusAl company is involved. According to estimates of the Skolkovo Business School Energy Center, if demand management programs are widely spread, the potential for reducing electricity consumption will make 6-10 and 2-3 GW for the first and second price zones, respectively. Together, this is a very significant amount, in a less dense load schedule it will require more than 30 typical combined-cycle power units with a capacity of 400 MW. The energy saving potential is also very high: replacement of energy-consuming equipment with more efficient, reduction of energy losses during transmission and consumption. In 2010, the Government of the Russian Federation estimated the potential to increase the efficiency of final electricity consumption at the level of 30%. And even if this potential is overstated and the realistic part of the potential is already realized, there still remains a significant resource to reduce electricity consumption.

In a more narrow sense, distributed generation is interpreted as construction and operation of sources of electrical (thermal) energy by consumers for their own needs. Excess electricity is sent to a common network. The objects of distributed generation include low-power energy sources up to 25 MW [Hansen C. J., Bower J., 2004; Stennikov V. A., Voropai N. I., 2014]. Co-generation objects (co-generation of electricity and heat) and renewable energy sources (RES) are also attributed to distributed generation [ Sellyakhova O., Tamovskaya O., Fateeva E. et al., 2016]. For example, small-scale power engineering includes objects with a capacity of less than 25 MW [Federal Law 2003]; micro-energy, according to different sources, the ones less than I MW.

So, distributed generation implies generation of electricity at the place of its consumption by a lot of consumers who produce heat and electric energy for their own needs, and the surplus is directed to a common network.

In a broad sense, these are objects that are near final consumers, regardless of the fact who owns them. This category embraces:

• Block-statiom is a source of electrical (sometimes thermal) energy located in the territory or in immediate vicinity of an industrial enterprise and owned or leased by owners of this enterprise. Block-stations are as a rule advantageous since they can function at the expense of by-products of the main production (associated gas or blast furnace gas, etc.).
• Co-generation plants (combined heat and power plants) are a combined generation of electricity and heat, increasing the fuel utilization factor (FUF) by an average of 30%. Thanks to this, significant costs and inconveniences in construction and operation of heating systems become acceptable. This is one of reasons why co-generation is widely promoted and encouraged in the West now.
• Objects of small and medium generation: gas turbine and gas piston stations, renewable energy source power plants, which are built by consumers [Ryapin I., 2013]. In the Russian practice, the draft definition of small distributed generation was developed following discussions within the meeting of the expert council of the technological platform "Small Distributed Energy" (from 26.06.2012), the meeting of the expert council on energy (small energy section) at the Energy Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation (as of 05.07.2012). "Small distributed power generation is represented by generating facilities with capacity from I to 50 MW located in close proximity to a consumer with the possibility of using energy storage systems and SmartGrid technologies. The distributed power engineering includes objects using cogeneration energy production technologies and renewable energy sources, i.e. primary energy sources of distributed generation objects, small power plants can be both nonfuel-consuming (they work on solar, wind, wave, geothermal energy mid other RES) and fuel-consuming (coal, oil, commercial gas, biomass of various origin serve as fuel).

Sources of competitive advantages of distributed generation

Distributed generation has a number of advantages in terms of total indexes of reliability, quality and cost indicators as compared to deliveries from the distribution network (the latter remain an alternate option). Independently investing in distributed energy, consumers obviously reduce costs of developing a network complex and a large generation due to a more flexible investment model for responding to changes in dynamics and location of demand. In addition, a set of measures for managing demand and decentralized energy exchange based on distributed energy sources is applied, which also allows to refuse or postpone projects for construction of new capacities and/or large power energy infrastructure.

By its energy efficiency (PF), distributed generation is comparable to large power plants. Due to its proximity to a consumer, it is characterized by relatively lower network losses in distribution of electricity. It can also ensure fulfillment of higher requirements of consumers on availability and quality of energy, reliability of energy supply. Distribution of energy supplies is an important factor in improving energy security since it reduces risks of total blackouts and allows more rapid restoration of energy supply to consumers after natural disasters, catastrophes or cyber attacks, for example. In this sense, the development of distributed sources of energy supply as a new format of energy infrastructure can be compared with the development of information infrastructure based on distributed storage and data processing systems, which eventually became the World Wide Web.

In the literature [You S., Jin L., Hu J. et al., 2015] a new approach to organization of energy systems is called the Internet of energy.

To identify competitive advantages of distributed generation, we analyzed reports of consulting companies, foreign energy centers as well as studies of domestic and foreign authors and identified three groups of main sources of competitive advantages of distributed generation (Table 1).

The combination of distributed power with modem assets management, intellectualization of the network infrastructure, development of consumer services can lead to significant economic effects, including, to limit the growth of prices for electricity in the long term. Development of production capacities and applications of distributed energy stimulates development of management technologies, equipment and services that ensure their most effective use within the power system and energy market, creates a technological basis for emergence of mass active consumers and opportunity to enter the large-scale global market.

Across the world, a significant share of new local capacity is generated by micro generation based on renewable energy sources (primarily roof solar panels, increasingly in combination with storage tanks) and more environmentally efficient mini- co-generation plants. Accordingly, distributed energy is also an effective means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing climate change. Thus, competitive advantages are highlighted in three areas: economy (for example, limiting increase of electricity prices), management (development of new technologies for managing demand for electricity, equipment and services in companies) and ecology (distributed generation serves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent climate change).

Factors of application of distributed generation technologies

Companies will build and use their own generation sources when they realize benefits of their application and will be ready to implement them. Accordingly, it is important to study acceptability of distributed generation technologies and their perception by industrial companies. For this, we studied factors that have the greatest impact on companies' decision to introduce a new technology.

There are not so many studies devoted to adoption of new technologies by industrial companies. The most well-known models of technology adoption factors by companies proposed [Molla A., Licker P. S., 2002; 2005]:

• model POER used to measure intra-organizational factors of adoption of new technologies. This model was proposed to analyze factors of the intra-organizational environment: inclination of employees to adopt new technologies, the system of internal assistance in the company, attitude of employees towards innovation;
• model PEER used for analysis of external factors. The PEER model analyzes factors of competitive pressure in the industry, influence of regulators and technological changes in the industry.

Adoption of new technologies is also affected by specific characteristics, which include speed, reliability, enjoyment of use, control of use process, risk of use [Davis F.D., 1989]. In Table 2, intra-organizational and external factors affecting adoption of new distributed generation technologies by companies, are presented.

Hypothesis 1. Perception of distributed sources of generation by industrial companies is influenced by

• intra-organizational factors:

1. technical feasibility;
2. availability of specialists;
3. perceived risks;
4. perceived advantage;
5. the cost of connection;
6. electricity costs and

• external factors:

1. market pressure;
2. pressure of the regulator (government authorities);
3. technological changes in the industry.

To identify specific characteristics of distributed generation technologies that affect their acceptance by companies, we used results of research [Arndt U., Wagner U., 2003; Picciariello A., Reneses J., Frias P. et al., 2015; Frias P., Gomez T., Cossent R., 2009; Picciariello A, Vergara C, Reneses J. et al., 2015; Dondi P., Bayoumi D., Flaederli C. et al., 2002; Ryapin I., 2013; Izadkhast S., GarciaGonzalez P., Frias P. et al., 2016] and identified the most significant specific factors (Table 3).

Hypothesis 2. The decision to switch to use of distributed generation sources is influenced by specific factors:

1. the presence of by-products that can be used as fuel;
2. high efficiency;
3. lack of energy transfer costs;
4. absence of payment for technological connection to electric grids;
5. the existing price ratio for electricity and natural gas;
6. the possibility of changing the amount of generated electric and heat energy when the economic situation changes;
7. reduction of the need for energy transmission over significant distances;
8. increase of the share of the of local energy resources.

Barriers in development of distributed generation in Russia and other countries

For spreading distributed generation in practice, it is important to identify barriers. First of all, we examined barriers for development of distributed generation technologies in foreign markets, and then - on the domestic one.

USA, California. Development of distributed generation in California is closely related to regulatory measures aimed at stimulating production of electricity based on RES. In California, the "Standard of Renewable Energy Sources" (FTES) was adopted: energy companies are obliged to annually increase the volume of purchases of electricity produced on the basis of renewable energy according to relevant criteria, not less than 1% of total retail sales of electricity. Currently, California's legislative authorities is developing norms that call for an increase of this index to 33% by 2020.

Three types of barriers for development of distributed generation have been identified:

• technical barriers: technical standards for connection of distributed generation installations to network, testing and certification procedures for equipment used for connection;
• commercial barriers: standard commercial conditions and practice of approving connection with an energy company;
• regulatory barriers: absence of regulated tariffs and incentives for distributed generation [Damodaran A., 2008].

The main barrier to emergence of distributed generation technologies on the market is the lack of standards for connection to the network. To address this issue in 2001, the Californian Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) developed standard connection rules. As a result, generating companies operating on the wholesale electricity market and meeting certain requirements have the right to connect distributed power generation systems to the network.

United Kingdom. Distributed generation systems have been actively developing since the early 1990s. In 1993-1994, the volume of production based on distributed generation in England and Wales was 1.2 GW. At present, this volume exceeds 15 GW. The review prepared by the Office for Gas and Electricity Markets, identified main market failures and regulatory systems:

• imperfection of the legal-regulatory framework: existing laws and regulations have been developed for a system with a centralized electricity production and hamper development of distributed generation;
• the lack of simple and understandable information regarding possibilities of distributed generation [Frankel D., Wagner A., 2017].

To eliminate barriers to development of distributed generation, it is proposed to implement joint programs under the leadership of the Office for Gas and Electricity Markets and the Department for Business Development, Innovation and Professional Education (BIS). Since 2007, the UK government has been promoting the development of distributed generation. There are fiscal incentives: When introducing the majority of microgeneration technologies, the value added tax is reduced by 5%.

Australia. In the national electricity market, the centralized power supply model for a long time prevailed, small generation and consumption management were used only in the private sector.

A large-scale comprehensive study of barriers and benefits of distributed generation in Australia is presented in a report prepared by the Organization for Scientific and Industrial Research of Australia as part of implementation of the main energy reform program [McDonald!, 2008]. So, the authors identify such barriers as imperfection of the legal-regulatory framework, lack of economic incentives for switching to distributed generation facilities, the lack of information about advantages of distributed generation.

Denmark. In Denmark, distributed generation is developing more successfully than in other Scandinavian countries. For comparison: in Norway and Sweden, the capacity of distributed generation units is 1500 kW. There, like in Finland, there are few independent electricity producers, which means there is no need to develop detailed recommendations and requirements for regulation of distributed generation.

In 1980, the capacity of distributed power generation was 1%. The development of distributed generation was mainly promoted by direct regulation, which in Denmark lasts much longer than in other developed countries. The main driving force behind the development of distributed generation is initiatives aimed at increasing the volume of electricity production based on RES in accordance with goals set by the European Commission. In 2002, obstacles to development were considered to be the lackof standards and requirements for connecting distributed generation facilities, the high cost of generating electricity by distributed generation systems and insufficient development of distributed generation market. According to the Ministry of Energy of Denmark, in 2005 about 57% of generating capacity was co-generation (joint generation of heat and electricity) and 31% - renewable energy.

Successful development of the distributed generation sector in Denmark is due to use of the bottom-up approach, which implies close cooperation of a large number of small companies, local authorities and cooperatives [Subhes C., 2011].

Table 4 shows barriers that prevent development of distributed generation in European countries.

Analysis of numerous publications of Russian authors [Trachuk AV, 2011; Sellyakhova O., Tamovskaya O., Fateeva E. et al., 2016; Klimovets О. V., Zubakin V. A., 2016] revealed barriers to development of distributed generation in Russia:

• the lack of clear and unambiguously interpreted requirements for technological connection of industrial generation facilities to electric network increases the time frame for implementation of projects;
• generating facilities with the capacity of 25 MW or more connected to the network are obliged to sell the generated electricity in the wholesale market (except for cases established by the Government of the Russian Federation). They must buy electricity for own consumption at market prices, paying for transfer services. Owners of distributed generation facilities with a capacity of 25 MW or more are forced to look for ways to obtain confirmation of nonproliferation of the wholesale market requirements for this object (issued by NP Market Council) and remain in the status of a participant in the retail market. In order to avoid the need to be present on the wholesale market, it is necessary to initially build generating facilities with a capacity of less than 25 MW or to plan the isolated operation of generating facilities that will not be connected to the power network;
• The lack of a clear understanding of benefits of industrial distributed generation among stakeholders slows down preparation and receipt of permits.

METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

To analyze the most significant factors of perception of distributed generation technologies by industrial companies, we conducted the study in two stages:

• Qualitative stage:

о conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with representatives of 8 large industrial companies in order to determine interrelations between factors and decision to build their own generation and additionally justify the development of a questionnaire that allows analyzing factors that are most significant for a positive solution;

о Determination of nonparametric Spearman correlation coefficients (ps) for the ranked data in order to recognize significant connection between the model components, the selection of specific characteristics of factors for further testing;

• Quantitative stage:

о drawing up a questionnaire and questioning representatives of industrial companies (69 companies, Table 5);

о Formation of regression model has been used to determine strength and significance of influence of the selected factors on taking a decision by companies on own generation.

At the next stage, an index was calculated for the main internal and external factors affecting the decision to build own generation by summing up references to individual items from the questionnaire (Table 6). Similarly, the frequency of mention of specific factors is calculated (Table 7). Then nonparametric Spearman correlation coefficients ps were calculated for the ranked data. To recognize the relationship between components of the model, the significant correlation coefficient should exceed the threshold value of 0.50.

Description of variables

At the quantitative stage of the study, statements of the questionnaire that measured the most significant factors, were formulated. Respondents were asked to answer the question: "Flow much do you agree with statements below?" The degree of consent was assessed on the Likert scale from I to 7 points (I - "completely disagree", 4 - "I do not know, I agree or disagree," 7 - "completely agree") (Table 8, 9).

To measure the "technical feasibility" factor, we took a scale with two questions. They are designed to determine whether the company has the ability to establish distributed generation objects taking into account the existing infrastructure. To assess the "perceived advantage" factor, the higher efficiency of distributed generation than the services of the Unified National Electrical Network, was estimated. The factor "costs for construction and installation of sources of distributed generation" was measured using two issues that characterize the need to redeem construction of own generation in the medium term.

In order to measure external factors affecting the adoption of distributed generation technologies, three groups of issues are involved. Market pressure was measured in accordance with the answers to questions about competitive pressure, comparison of used technologies. Technological changes in the industry were measured as an assessment of how possible to repair equipment and to ensure equipment operation during peak hours of workload. The regulators decisions significance was assessed on the basis of confidence and there are no administrative obstacles, but there is support for the introduction of distributed generation.

Similarly, a questionnaire was developed in order to analyze the specific factors for the adoption of distributed generation technologies (Table 9).

Description of the data analysis procedure

Reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha) were first evaluated for all variables measured on the basis of scales of several questions during the analysis. The calculated coefficients corresponded to the recommended minimum level of reliability -0.75 (see Table 8, 9). The factor analysis was carried out by the main component method for 9 questions describing the four aspects of intra-organizational factors and 6 questions describing three aspects of external factors on the next stage.

An analysis of specific factors affecting the adoption of distributed technologies by companies network extension was conducted using 15 questions. In total, four specific factors shows 73.8% of the variation in the company's answers to questions, which corresponds to recommendations of 70% explaination of the variation in structural models.

Factor analysis based on the method of principal components with orthogonal rotation revealed the presence of four intra-organizational factors and two factors of the external environment, which described a total of 72.8% variation in questions. The values of these factors were used to form the final set of factors that influence the adoption of distributed generation technologies by companies and which were included in the regression analysis.

The results of factor analysis were used in order to calculate the influence of factors on the perception of distributed generation technologies by companies:

где Z_i - the indicator of adoption of distributed generation technologies by companies (binary variable, where 1 - distributed generation technologies are accepted for company use, 0 - not accepted); T_i - possibility of technical feasibility for the use of distributed generation units; RK_i - perceived by companies risks associated with the usage of distributed generation technologies; UR_i - company's perceived advantages of using distributed generation technologies; COST_i - primecost of own electricity; C_i - 3costs of construction and installation of distributed generation sources; MARK_i - давление рынка, влияющее на принятие технологий распределенной генерации; TR_i - technological changes in the industry, promoting acceptance of distributed generation technologies; GR_i- decisions of regulators (authorities), affecting the decisions of companies about use of new technologies for distributed generation.

An analysis of specific factors of perception of distributed generation technologies by companies was carried out according to the following model:

where Y_i - indicator of distributed generation technologies perception by companies (binary variable, where 1 - distributed generation technologies are accepted for use by the company; 0 - are not accepted); PROD_i - presence of by-products that can be used as fuel; KPD_i- high efficiency; USE_i - ono energy transfer costs; EASE_i - absence of payment for technological connection to electric networks; SEC_i - existing price relation for electricity and natural gas indicates a high gas potential; CON_i - energy production occurs in close proximity to points of consumption, which leads to a decrease of need for energy transmission over significant distances; ECO_i - ability to vary the amount of generated electrical and heat energy when the economic situation changes.

Standardized and non-standardized regression coefficients were determined using the maximum likelihood method. Nonstandardized coefficients were used to test hypotheses, and standardized ones were used to determine the factors that had a greater impact on adoption of distributed generation technologies by companies.

RESULTS OF THE STUDY

The influence of factors on the adoption of distributed generation technologies

Regression analysis showed the influence of various factors in the adoption of distributed generation technologies by companies (corporate internal characteristics and environmental factors), as well as the influence of specific factors (Table I ΟΙ 2). We evaluated the influence of these independent variables on the adoption of distributed generation technologies with help of the maximum likelihood method. In general, the results of the regression analysis confirmed the hypotheses of the study. Models based on equations (I) and (2) were able to explain 63% of the variation of intra-organizational and external factors in the adoption of distributed generation technologies by companies and 57% of the variation of specific factors.

The simulation of distributed generation technologies acceptance by companies (Table 10) showed that the technical feasibility (β = 0.264, p <0.05), the comparative advantage of using distributed generation (β = 0.451, p <0.10), the cost of electricity (β = 0.598, p <0.10) positively affect the adoption of distributed generation technologies. The perceived risks (β = 0.166, p = 0.01) have no significant effect on the growth in the number of distributed generation users. Expenses for the construction and installation of distributed generation sources "(β = -0.387, p <0.10) have a negative impact on the decision to use distributed generation technologies.

The decisions of regulators have a significant impact on the distributed generation technologies (β = 0,393, p <0,05) adoption by companies among the external factors. Market pressures and technological changes in the industry have a slight negative impact on the adoption of distributed generation technologies by companies. Thus, technical feasibility, comparative advantage and the cost of electricity are the main factors in the growth of companies number using distributed generation in the sample studied. Table. 11 shows the results of regression analysis of the specific factors influence on the process of adopting distributed generation technologies. The content of the hypotheses is given above.

All specific factors had a positive effect on the distributed generation technologies adoption by companies with an error probability of p<0.05. Factors had the following coefficients β:

• EFFICIENCY: β = 0,324 (p < 0,01);
• Absence of energy transfer costs: β = 0,378 (p < 0,05);
• absence of payment for technological connection to electric networks: β = 0,321 (p < 0,05).

At the same time, the existing ratio of prices for electric energy (β = 0.016, p> 0.10) and the possibility of changing the volumes of generated electric and thermal energy in case of some changes in economic situation (β = 0.163; p> 0.10) did not make a significant influences.

The results of the analysis of barriers of distributed generation adoption

According to the regression analysis, the costs of building and installing sources of distributed generation, the decisions of regulators (authorities) affecting the decisions of companies in cases of new technologies usage, and market pressure have a negative impact on the decision to switch to their own sources of electricity.

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 experts who are members of NP Market Council in order to understand barriers that form a negative impact of these factors. Further, we reduced the barriers mentioned by experts and the frequency of their mention in Table. 13. The index for the main barriers of distributed generation development is calculated by summing up references to individual items from the questionnaire. The identified barriers allow us to formulate measures for the development of industrial distributed generation in Russia at the federal level.

CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATION OFTHE RECEIVED RESULTS

Hypothesis testing results

Hypothesis 1 described the factors influencing the distributed generation technologies perception by companies. The hypothesis is partially confirmed for intra-organizational factors:

1. the possibility of technical connection (β = 0,264; p < 0,05);
2. perceived benefits (β = 0,451; p < 0,01);
3. the cost of electricity (β=0,598; p < 0,05), and environmental factors: (i) the regulator's decision (β = 0,396;p < 0,05).

The negative influence on adoption of distributed generation technologies is rendered by:

1. costs of construction and installation of distributed generation sources (β = -0,387; p < 0,01);
2. market pressure (β = -0,196;p < 0,01).

The hypothesis is not confirmed for the factors:

1. perceived risk (β = 0,166; p < 0,01);
2. the possibility of changing the amount of generated electrical and thermal energy (β = 0,153; p < 0,01)

According to hypothesis 2, the perception of distributed generation technologies by companies is influenced by specific factors.

This hypothesis is partially confirmed for general factors:

1. the presence of by-products that can be used as fuel (β = 0,421; p < 0,01); 
2. high efficiency (β = 0,324; p < 0,10);
3. absence of costs for energy transfer (β = 0,316; p < 0,01);
4. absence of payment for technological connection to electric networks (β = 0,363; p < 0,01).

The influence of factors is not confirmed:

1. the existing price ratio for electricity and natural gas (β = 0,016;p < 0,01);
2. the possibility of changing the amount of generated electrical and thermal energy (β = 0,163; p = 0,45);
3. Decrease of need for energy transmission over significant distances (β = 0,211; p< 0,01).

The analysis model proposed by us is successful, describes the various factors in the adoption of distributed generation technologies by companies. Standardized coefficients not only allow testing hypotheses, but can also be used to compare the effects of various characteristics of distributed generation installations on the likelihood of their acceptance by companies.

Thus, in order to decide about its own generation by companies, the main factors are the possibility of technical connection (β = 0,421), the perceived advantages (β = 0,363), the cost of electricity (β = 0,324) and the decision of regulators (β = -0,309). Consequently, the possibility of technical connection, the cost of electricity and the perceived benefits are critical factors in deciding on the use of distributed generation technologies for the analyzed companies. The risk factor was insignificant (β = 0,209), while carrying out in-depth interviews with the company, this fact was explained by the fact that distributed generation systems reduce the occurrence of the listed adverse effects to minimum. Today due to the use of energy-efficient solutions based on distributed generation technologies became possible to obtain cheap electric and thermal energy, to increase gradually power capacities, to invest uniformly and to product fast energy for industrial and household needs.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

We did not interview the entire amount of Russian companies because of limited data collection capabilities. Nevertheless, our sample of companies is representative by sector, revenue from sales and size of companies. Also researchers can analyze the factors of adopting distributed generation technologies on a larger sample of companies. The results of the sampling study confirm the feasibility of a comprehensive assessment of the factors of distributed generation technologies acceptance. Within the framework of this study, the identified factors - intra- organizational, external and specific - were measured empirically and used to analyze the adoption of distributed generation technologies by companies. The qualitative stage of the research allowed us to make initial conclusions about the significance of certain aspects of the adoption of distributed generation technologies. Thus, in accordance with the results of the analysis of the theoretical base, it was empirically confirmed that making the distribution of generation by companies, the greatest value was the cost of electricity and technical compatibility at the qualitative stage of the study. The majority of respondents named these aspects as the most important ones.