Towards a DC distribution system - opportunities and challenges

Mackay, Laurens; Hailu, Tsegay; Ramírez-Elizondo, Laura; Bauer, Pavol

doi:10.1109/icdcm.2015.7152041

Cited by 36 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…This includes tackling the challenges introduced by intermittent renewable energy sources. It is a continuation of two previous papers in which the opportunities and challenges of DC distribution systems were presented [12,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Toward the Universal DC Distribution System

Mackay

Blij

Ramírez-Elizondo

et al. 2017

Electric Power Components and Systems

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Toward the Universal DC Distribution System

Mackay

Blij

Ramírez-Elizondo

et al. 2017

Electric Power Components and Systems

Self Cite

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“…For example, Glasgo et al [16] did not consider retrofits because the associated costs would not be recovered even by the largest energy cost savings of DC distribution and more efficient end uses. Similarly, Mackay et al [40] estimate that retrofit costs are likely to outweigh the benefits of DC distribution in existing infrastructures, while King and Brodrick [41] claim that residential electric installations may cost up to twice as much for renovations, compared to new construction. None of these prior studies considered the value of non-energy benefits to building owners and occupants, which are expected to be an important motivation for adoption of DC power in buildings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-economic analysis of DC power distribution in commercial buildings

et al. 2018

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Improvements in building end-use efficiency have significantly reduced the energy intensity of new buildings, but diminishing returns make it a challenge to build very-low energy buildings cost-effectively. A largely untapped efficiency strategy is to improve the efficiency of power distribution within buildings. Direct current (DC) distribution with modern power electronics has the potential to eliminate much of the power conversion loss in alternating current (AC) building distribution networks that include photovoltaics and DC end uses. Previous literature suggests up to 15 percent energy savings from DC power distribution in very energy efficient buildings with onsite generation and battery storage. This paper extends prior energy modeling of DC versus AC distribution in buildings, to consider the cost of implementing DC systems on a life-cycle basis. We present a techno-economic analysis framework that evaluates the cost-effectiveness of DC systems in U.S. commercial buildings, based on commercially available products for various PV and battery storage capacities. We use Monte Carlo simulation to account for uncertainty and variability in the cost inputs, and compute the payback period (PBP) and lifecycle cost (LCC) savings of DC versus AC distribution systems. We also conduct a sensitivity analysis to evaluate how future efficiency improvements in power converters and changes in electricity tariffs may affect LCC savings. This analysis shows that DC systems can be cost-effective in all scenarios that include large capacities of battery storage and onsite solar, whereas for systems without storage, DC distribution is generally not cost-effective due to lower energy bill savings.

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“…The DC distribution systems have good techno‐economical potential compared with existing AC systems . The use of low‐voltage DC has proven to be beneficial for the distribution networks . Low‐voltage DC is ideally suited for distribution networks due to its efficiency for shorter transmission distances and smaller transmission powers .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…18 The use of low-voltage DC has proven to be beneficial for the distribution networks. 19 Low-voltage DC is ideally suited for distribution networks due to its efficiency for shorter transmission distances and smaller transmission powers. 20 Also, DC distribution systems, particularly DC microgrids, make the grid more controllable, stable, and reliable.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

High-gain-high-power (HGHP) DC-DC converter for DC microgrid applications: Design and testing

Revathi

Prabhakar

González-Longatt

2017

Int Trans Electr Energ Syst

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Summary The use of green energy sources to feed direct current (DC) microgrids is gaining prominence over traditional centralised alternating current (AC) systems. Direct current microgrids are characterised by the use of intermediate DC‐DC converter, which acts as power conditioning units. Hence, the choice of an appropriate DC‐DC converter becomes significant as the overall system efficiency is strongly dependent on the converter's performance. This paper proposes a novel high‐gain–high‐power DC‐DC converter for DC microgrid, which is one of the significant steps forward in the development of DC microgrids. The suitability of the proposed high‐gain–high‐power DC‐DC converter is demonstrated by experimental tests of the 60 V/1.1 kV, 3 kW converter; test results validate the converter's suitability for DC distribution. A significant number of performance parameters of the proposed converter are compared with state‐of‐the‐art converter topologies demonstrating the superior capabilities of the proposed converter. This paper also portrays the potential benefits that could be reaped by trending towards DC instead of existing alternating current system. The advantages and challenges to be confronted in the foreseeable future while implementing sustainable DC microgrids are also highlighted. Finally, this paper encapsulates renewable energy fed DC microgrid system as an appropriate, technically feasible, economically viable, and competent solution for efficiently utilising the sustainable energy sources.

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Towards a DC distribution system - opportunities and challenges

Cited by 36 publications

References 17 publications

Toward the Universal DC Distribution System

Toward the Universal DC Distribution System

Techno-economic analysis of DC power distribution in commercial buildings

High-gain-high-power (HGHP) DC-DC converter for DC microgrid applications: Design and testing

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