现代分布式能量系统的出现是能源领域涉及可持续发展战略的一件大事。讨论了有关这一系统的一些基本概念，把它定义为“位于或临近用户中心、不以大规模、远距离输送电力为目的并具有环境相容性的电力总能系统”。分布式能量系统为热电联产和多联产的有效实施提供了最有利的系统形式，以分布式能量系统的方式耗用天然气可提高其经济性和与环境的相容性。认为，从长远的观点应把洁净煤也视为分布式能量系统的重要一次能源。微型透平是近年能源技术的一大成就，但在小型原动机领域中，内燃机仍具有旺盛的生命力。选择在发展大型集中式能量系统过程的同时不失时机、因地制宜地发展分布式能量系统，把它放在与之并行不悖且相辅相成的地位，以促进我国能源事业的可持续化发展。

The emergence of distributed energy system is a matter of great significance relating to implementation of sustainable strategy. As proposed by the author, distributed energy system(DES)is defined as an electric power total system compatible with environment, sited in or in the vicinity of the consumer center area without bulk and/or remote power transmission. The DES concept allows people to build and operate energy system on total energy basis and thus facilitates demand side management as well as a more intelligent use of energy. It is considered essential for fossil fueled DES that energy is utilized in a cascade way matching the energy quality supplied and needed. DES also opens the most effective way of implementation of Combined Heat & Power as well as multi-generation. While the preferable choice of primary energy might be the clean fuel such as natural gas, but from the long-term point of view, the clean coal technology should not be excluded from the DES category. Although there is a great deal of interest in micro-turbines at the moment, combustion engines still have their tremendous potential for DES application.