VERIFYING DC SMART GRID EFFECTS BASED ON RESIDENTIAL AREA CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

In recent years, renewable energy is spreading rapidly. Smart grids are expected to make effective use of distributed power sources. However, the power associated with photovoltaics and electric vehicles, which are important smart grid elements, is direct current (DC). Power losses occur during conversion to and from alternating current (AC) power used for the power grid and businesses and residences. Nevertheless, no report of the relevant literature describes a study verifying smart grid effects, particularly addressing power loss. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the power supply and demand of a residential area in which a smart grid is assumed to exist. We verified the DC smart grid effects by calculating the power loss and power self-sufficiency rate that occur in AC and DC smart grids. Results show that 1) the power loss can be reduced by a maximum 74.8% by a DC smart grid and 2) a DC smart grid is suitable for residential areas with many vehicles and detached homes owned by residents.