The utilization potential of LVDC distribution

Abstract

Low voltage direct current (LVDC) distribution is a promising solution, which benefits are large power transfer capacity with low voltage and improvements to reliability and power quality. Tests by the pilot implementation in Elenia Oy have given promising results. The power transfer capacity of the system has been calculated in the paper using voltage drop and maximum load of cable as boundaries. The branches of the MV network, which can be replaced by LVDC distribution, are determined based on the calculations and mass computation of the whole distribution area of Elenia Oy. Based on the done analysis, it can be inferred that LVDC distribution has a good utilization potential.

Protection of low‐voltage DC microgrid based on series R–L–C equivalent circuit utilising local measurements

“…The advent of the low‐voltage DC (LVDC) microgrid has opened new possibilities of electricity generation and distribution in a decentralised manner. This has become possible because of the inherent DC nature of renewable energy resources, electronic loads, and less power electronic conversion losses [1–4]. Therefore, the operation and maintenance cost of LVDC microgrid is low as compared to AC microgrid and traditional power systems.…”

“…Therefore, the operation and maintenance cost of LVDC microgrid is low as compared to AC microgrid and traditional power systems. However, the adoption of the LVDC microgrid at a larger scale has been very challenging because of the lack of protective equipment and standardisation [4, 5]. One of the major challenges in DC microgrid protection is that the rate of change of current is very high, which leaves very less amount of time for fault detection and fault clearing.…”

Effect of network configuration and load profile on efficiency of LVDC distribution network

“…The low voltage direct current (LVDC) distribution has been intensively studied during the past few years, because it can be a cost effective solution to be considered in future smart grids due to the high power transmission capacity when the present low voltage AC network approaches its end of lifetime [1][2][3]. In a typical LVDC distribution, 20 kV medium voltage is first reduced to a maximum of 1 kV by a transformer, then rectified to1500 V DC at maximum, and finally converted back to AC near the end customer location [4].…”

“…In a typical LVDC distribution, 20 kV medium voltage is first reduced to a maximum of 1 kV by a transformer, then rectified to1500 V DC at maximum, and finally converted back to AC near the end customer location [4]. The LVDC network would improve the power quality and reliability experienced by the customer [1][2][3]. The connection of distributed generation units and energy storages would be easier to the LVDC network compared to the present AC network due to lack of synchronization requirements and reactive power compensation.…”

“…The connection of distributed generation units and energy storages would be easier to the LVDC network compared to the present AC network due to lack of synchronization requirements and reactive power compensation. In addition, telecommunication devices and protection solutions can be integrated into the converters [1][2][3].…”