AC vs. DC Distribution Efficiency: Are We on the Right Path?

Hasan Erteza Gelani, Faizan Dastgeer, Mashood Nasir, Sidra Khan and Josep M. Guerrero
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Hasan Erteza Gelani: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, FSD Campus, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Faizan Dastgeer: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, FSD Campus, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Mashood Nasir: Energy Technology Department, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
Sidra Khan: Department of Electrical Engineering, Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Josep M. Guerrero: Energy Technology Department, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-26

Abstract: The concept of DC power distribution has gained interest within the research community in the past years, especially due to the rapid prevalence of solar PVs as a tool for distributed generation in DC microgrids. Various efficiency analyses have been presented for the DC distribution paradigm, in comparison to the AC counterpart, considering a variety of scenarios. However, even after a number of such comparative efficiency studies, there seems to be a disparity in the results of research efforts, wherein a definite verdict is still unavailable. Is DC distribution a more efficient choice as compared to the conventional AC system? A final verdict is absent primarily due to conflicting results. In this regard, system modeling and the assumptions made in different studies play a significant role in affecting the results of the study. The current paper is an attempt to critically observe the modeling and assumptions used in the efficiency studies related to the DC distribution system. Several research efforts are analyzed for their approach toward the system upon which they have performed efficiency studies. Subsequently, the paper proposes a model that may alleviate the shortcomings in earlier research efforts and be able to give a definite verdict regarding the comparative efficiency of DC and AC networks for residential power distribution.

Keywords: DC vs. AC; DC distribution networks; energy efficiency in buildings; energy savings; microgrids (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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