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Edison Revisited: Should we use DC circuits for lighting in commercial buildings?

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  • Thomas, Brinda A.
  • Azevedo, Inês L.
  • Morgan, Granger

Abstract

We examine the economic feasibility of using dedicated DC circuits to operate lighting in commercial buildings. We compare light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and fluorescents that are powered by either a central DC power supply or traditional AC grid electricity, with and without solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery back-up. Using DOE performance targets for LEDs and solar PV, we find that by 2012 LEDs have the lowest levelized annualized cost (LAC). If a DC voltage standard were developed, so that each LED fixture's driver could be eliminated, LACs could decrease, on average, by 5% compared to AC LEDs with a driver in each fixture. DC circuits in grid-connected PV-powered LED lighting systems can lower the total unsubsidized capital costs by 4–21% and LACs by 2–21% compared to AC grid-connected PV LEDs. Grid-connected PV LEDs may match the LAC of grid-powered fluorescents by 2013. This outcome depends more on manufacturers' ability to produce LEDs that follow DOE's lamp production cost and efficacy targets, than on reducing power electronics costs for DC building circuits and voltage standardization. Further work is needed to better understand potential safety risks with DC distribution and to remove design, installation, permitting, and regulatory barriers.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas, Brinda A. & Azevedo, Inês L. & Morgan, Granger, 2012. "Edison Revisited: Should we use DC circuits for lighting in commercial buildings?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 399-411.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:45:y:2012:i:c:p:399-411
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.02.048
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Patrik Ollas & Torbjörn Thiringer & Mattias Persson & Caroline Markusson, 2023. "Energy Loss Savings Using Direct Current Distribution in a Residential Building with Solar Photovoltaic and Battery Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-21, January.
    2. Gerber, Daniel L. & Liou, Richard & Brown, Richard, 2019. "Energy-saving opportunities of direct-DC loads in buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C), pages 274-287.
    3. Gerber, Daniel L. & Vossos, Vagelis & Feng, Wei & Marnay, Chris & Nordman, Bruce & Brown, Richard, 2018. "A simulation-based efficiency comparison of AC and DC power distribution networks in commercial buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 1167-1187.
    4. Abawi, Y. & Rennhofer, M. & Berger, K. & Wascher, H. & Aichinger, M., 2016. "Comparison of theoretical and real energy yield of direct DC-power usage of a Photovoltaic Façade system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 616-626.
    5. Avpreet Othee & James Cale & Arthur Santos & Stephen Frank & Daniel Zimmerle & Omkar Ghatpande & Gerald Duggan & Daniel Gerber, 2023. "A Modeling Toolkit for Comparing AC and DC Electrical Distribution Efficiency in Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-46, March.
    6. Stephen Whaite & Brandon Grainger & Alexis Kwasinski, 2015. "Power Quality in DC Power Distribution Systems and Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-22, May.
    7. Glasgo, Brock & Azevedo, Inês Lima & Hendrickson, Chris, 2016. "How much electricity can we save by using direct current circuits in homes? Understanding the potential for electricity savings and assessing feasibility of a transition towards DC powered buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 66-75.
    8. Theo, Wai Lip & Lim, Jeng Shiun & Wan Alwi, Sharifah Rafidah & Mohammad Rozali, Nor Erniza & Ho, Wai Shin & Abdul-Manan, Zainuddin, 2016. "An MILP model for cost-optimal planning of an on-grid hybrid power system for an eco-industrial park," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P2), pages 1423-1441.
    9. Spiliotis, Konstantinos & Gonçalves, Juliana E. & Saelens, Dirk & Baert, Kris & Driesen, Johan, 2020. "Electrical system architectures for building-integrated photovoltaics: A comparative analysis using a modelling framework in Modelica," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    10. Nils H. Van der Blij & Laura M. Ramirez-Elizondo & Matthijs T. J. Spaan & Pavol Bauer, 2017. "Stability of DC Distribution Systems: An Algebraic Derivation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-17, September.
    11. Ruparathna, Rajeev & Hewage, Kasun & Sadiq, Rehan, 2016. "Improving the energy efficiency of the existing building stock: A critical review of commercial and institutional buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1032-1045.
    12. Vossos, Vagelis & Gerber, Daniel & Bennani, Youness & Brown, Richard & Marnay, Chris, 2018. "Techno-economic analysis of DC power distribution in commercial buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 663-678.

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