Solar-DC deployment experience in off-grid and near off-grid homes: Economics, technology and policy analysis
07 Jun 2015-pp 26-31
TL;DR: In this article, an efficient and affordable solar DC solution for powering off-grid homes is presented. But, the proposed solution is not suitable for the use of the generated PV power efficiently.
Abstract: India is a power deficit country and one third of its homes are off grid or near off grid. This paper presents an efficient and affordable Solar DC solution for powering such homes. Though several solutions have emerged in the past for powering these homes, those have been expensive and energy inefficient. These solutions rely on several DC to AC and AC to DC conversions, to feed the widely used AC home loads, thus, wasting a large chunk of the expensive power. The proposed Solar DC solution for off-grid homes (OGH) is developed to use the generated PV power efficiently. With this solution, the panel and battery size is reduced by 2 to 2.5 times and the cost to power a house is reduced to nearly half the cost of the existing solutions. The paper also presents a techno-economic comparison between the proposed OGH solution with some existing solar systems.
Citations
More filters
01 Dec 2016
TL;DR: A suitable voltage level of 48 V, and a suitable distribution scheme are presented along with some field experiences of installation of such systems as discussed by the authors, along with a suitable power distribution scheme.
Abstract: With the increasing use of power electronics in all types of appliances, and with the increasing penetration of solar PV, distribution of power in the DC form is becoming attractive This paper brings together various concerns that have been expressed in DC distribution at low voltages for consumption in domestic and other building needs The paper presents various arguments and attempts to arrive at a solution from various points of view A suitable voltage level of 48 V, and a suitable distribution scheme are presented along with some field experiences of installation of such systems
4 citations
Cites background from "Solar-DC deployment experience in o..."
...Recent trials in providing uninterrupted power to Indian homes also make use of 48 V DC distribution [4-6]....
[...]
01 Jan 2019
TL;DR: In this article, a list of FIGURES, TABLES, NOMENCLATURE, and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS is presented, along with a chapter.
Abstract: .................................................................................................................................... ii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................... x LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... xiii LIST OF NOMENCLATURE ........................................................................................................ xiv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................. xv Chapter
3 citations
01 Jan 2022
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the number of conversion stages is gradually increasing when the alternate power is utilized from renewable energy sources leading to an increased loss of energy in the system.
Abstract: In present days, most of the electrical loads like mobiles, laptops, televisions, computers, different types of LED-based bulbs and many more in the real world are inherently DC. On the other hand, the green energy systems or renewable energy sources (RES) like stand-alone PV (SPV) systems and BLDC-based wind energy conversion system (WECS) are generating the electrical power in DC. In the present structure of the electrical systems, it needs the conversion of generated DC power from RES to AC and then again from AC to DC for utilization of loads. This shows that the numbers of conversion stages are gradually increasing when the alternate power is utilized from RES leading to the increased loss of energy.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors focus on the experimental verification of the difference in power consumption between an energy-efficient AC load and its equivalent DC load, and calculate the energy savings and associated reduction in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions for buildings of different occupancies.
3 citations
01 Jan 2019
TL;DR: A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid and that connects and disconnects from such a grid to enable it to operate in both grid connected and island mode as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid and that connects and disconnects from such a grid to enable it to operate in both grid‐connected and island mode. There are four classes of microgrids: single facility microgrids, multiple facility microgrids, feeder microgrids, and substation microgrids. Distributed energy resources (DERs) are divided into two groups based on the type of interface with the microgrid. The first group includes conventional (rotary) units based on synchronous or induction generators that are interfaced directly to the microgrid. The second group are interfaced to the microgrid through power electronic converters which introduce novel control concepts. Frequency stability is a problem faced by islanded microgrids where any individual generator output forms a substantial portion of the total demand.
3 citations
References
More filters
07 Jun 2015
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a DC system, which provides a far more energy-efficient alternative using renewable power-source for backup, by eliminating the complex electronics embedded in the inversion process.
Abstract: Lighting, fans and electronic devices form a significant and growing portion of power-load at homes and need power back-up support in case there are frequent power-cuts. A Diesel generator is generally used today in multi-storied buildings to provide this backup. The DC system, proposed in this paper, provides a far more energy-efficient alternative using renewable power-source for backup. It creates a pull for a home to move towards far more energy efficient DC loads. The solution provides a GREEN option to the existing solution. This paper provides a fresh perspective on the problem of eliminating conversion losses for uninterrupted operation of DC appliances. A cost benefit analysis shows that this DC system can reduce costs to the consumer by eliminating the complex electronics embedded in the inversion process. A rough measurement of the conversion losses for commercially available inverters and battery chargers illustrates that gains of 30% to 45% are easily obtainable
19 citations
07 Jun 2015
TL;DR: In this paper, a load management innovation to provide a limited but uninterrupted DC power supply to homes in India is presented, which enables addition of solar power directly to the DC power line and use of battery, without any converter.
Abstract: This paper presents a load-management innovation to provide a limited but uninterrupted DC power supply to homes in India. In a typically power deficient situation, load shedding becomes unavoidable. The duration and areas where load is shed are typically cycled. In worst situation, power outages last for a greater part of the day. To enable every home to get at least a limited amount of power 24×7, an innovative approach that combines use of DC power and load management has been proposed and implemented in several hundred homes in various locations. In order to make best use of limited power, a DC power line and energy efficient DC appliances are introduced and installed at homes. The approach also enables addition of solar power directly to the DC power line and use of battery, without any converter; the power-limit on DC line can thus be overcome. The paper describes the rationale, implementation and user feedback of the approach. Further improvements and plan for future are indicated.
10 citations
"Solar-DC deployment experience in o..." refers background in this paper
...This power is directly fed to the DC loads which are far more energy efficient as compared to the conventional AC loads [2]....
[...]