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Feasibility Analysis of a DC Distribution System for a 6 kW Photovoltaic Installation in Ireland

Author

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  • Meshari Alshammari

    (Power Electronics Research Centre, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 HX31 Galway, Ireland)

  • Maeve Duffy

    (Power Electronics Research Centre, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 HX31 Galway, Ireland)

Abstract

Recent developments in micro-grids have led to increased interest in DC distribution due to its high efficiency in distributing energy from renewable energy sources to DC loads. This paper seeks to analyse the performance of AC and DC systems in a relatively large-sized 6 kW PV installation to determine the level of improvement in efficiency provided by DC distribution and to identify methods for further improvement. Baseline annual data for the AC system were collected from a live installation on a national school in Inis Oirr, an island off the west coast of Ireland. The results indicate that usage of a DC distribution system has the potential to reduce system losses by up to 50% as well as the ability for an annual saving in grid energy of 5% compared to the existing AC system. Moreover, the analysis reveals that DC outperforms AC distribution more in spring and autumn, when power consumption is comparable to the system production, but there is less impact in summer, when PV production is significantly higher than demand. These findings provide insights into the benefits of future DC distribution systems in individual buildings and in larger-scale micro-grids.

Suggested Citation

  • Meshari Alshammari & Maeve Duffy, 2021. "Feasibility Analysis of a DC Distribution System for a 6 kW Photovoltaic Installation in Ireland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:19:p:6265-:d:648394
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vinay Virupaksha & Mary Harty & Kevin McDonnell, 2019. "Microgeneration of Electricity Using a Solar Photovoltaic System in Ireland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-26, December.
    2. Francesco Lo Franco & Antonio Morandi & Pietro Raboni & Gabriele Grandi, 2021. "Efficiency Comparison of DC and AC Coupling Solutions for Large-Scale PV+BESS Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Hasan Erteza Gelani & Faizan Dastgeer & Mashood Nasir & Sidra Khan & Josep M. Guerrero, 2021. "AC vs. DC Distribution Efficiency: Are We on the Right Path?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-26, July.
    4. Fionnuala Murphy & Kevin McDonnell, 2017. "A Feasibility Assessment of Photovoltaic Power Systems in Ireland; a Case Study for the Dublin Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Khoury, J. & Mbayed, R. & Salloum, G. & Monmasson, E. & Guerrero, J., 2016. "Review on the integration of photovoltaic renewable energy in developing countries—Special attention to the Lebanese case," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 562-575.
    6. 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.
    7. 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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    Cited by:

    1. Meshari Alshammari & Maeve Duffy, 2022. "Review of Single-Phase Bidirectional Inverter Topologies for Renewable Energy Systems with DC Distribution," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
    2. 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.

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