DC Mini-grids

Introduction

Changing patterns in electricity generation and consumption over the past decades have brought new life to the debate on the use of Alternating Current (AC) vs. Direct Current (DC) electricity supply in distributed generation systems. Direct Current distinguishes itself from Alternating Current through the fact that electric charge flows in a constant direction. When graphically depicted, DC output thus takes the shape of a straight line, whereas AC output shapes a wave pattern, crossing the zero output line in regular intervals.

Direct Current is native to solar PV electricity generation, battery storage and a range of common, low-power household and commercial applications, such as LED-lighting, consumer electronics (e.g. TV, radio, mobile phones) and variable speed drives in electric motors (e.g. for fans or pumps). With an increasing reliance on these components and applications, DC systems have, in many cases, become a technically and economically viable alternative to ‘traditional’ AC systems.

DC vs. AC mini-grids: System architecture and operation

The decision between DC and an AC provides for a number of implications in terms of a mini-grid’s system architecture and operation. In the following, a short overview on the main differences is provided.

Power control and management

Generally speaking, DC mini-grids tend to be simpler in system architecture and operation than AC systems. This is primarily a result of their limited requirements in terms of power control and management.

Due to an inherently unidirectional flow of current, a DC architecture does not require the usage of the frequency/phase control mechanisms of its AC equivalent. Hence, with only voltage to be accounted for, DC systems generally provide for a lower system complexity, reduced number of variables in systems monitoring, lower cost for control equipment components and a more modular and more easily expendable structure.

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Fault protection

As of today, protection systems for DC mini-grids must be considered less mature in terms of practical experience, standards, guidelines and implementation compared to AC systems.

A particular concern in DC systems is the absence of natural zero crossings (points at which the voltage momentarily equals zero), rendering current interruption considerably more demanding and potentially more dangerous (occurrence of switch arcs). This is, however, not a primary concern for low voltage DC systems, such as the commonly used 12 VDC or 24 VDC, as the general availability of adequately sized protection solutions does not differ markedly from standard AC systems.

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System efficiency

In providing for a more ‘natural’ solution for the growing number of native DC components in electricity generation, storage and consumption (see Introduction), DC can contribute towards reducing conversion losses and achieving a higher overall efficiency in electrical systems.

Apart from distribution (grid length, voltage, etc.), overall system efficiency depends on the occurence of power conversions between electricity generation and load. Efficiency losses from DC-AC conversion (via inverters) and AC-DC conversion (via rectifiers) can have a considerable effect on overall efficiency. Whether or not such conversion steps occur in a in a mini-grid system will depend on the type of generation used (AC or DC), whether battery storage is integrated, and what type of consumptive loads will be used.

For their sample case of a solar PV mini-grid with integrated battery storage, Madduri et al. (2013) arrive at an increase in end-to-end-efficiency of between 17 and 25% for a DC system with 380 VDC transmission and DC loads (fully DC mini-grid) and around 3% higher overall efficiency for the same system using AC loads, as compared to an AC system design.

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System / operational costs

Cost savings potential is a frequently reproduced argument for utilising DC over AC in mini-grids in certain situations. In terms of capital investment, DC mini-grids can provide savings due to their simpler power control architecture (see power control and management), as well as the fact that, in a full DC scenario, they can render additional conversion steps and associated system components, such as PV inverters, unnecessary (see system efficiency). Improved power conversion efficiency from a fully DC mini-grid can furthermore lead to operational cost reductions of up to 20%.

Comparative savings on capital cost are, however, at least partly offset by general price penalties on the more immature DC technology components.

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Applicability of DC mini-grids

Based on the characteristics described above, the following provides a short overview on the main factors promoting the use of DC in mini-grids:

• Generation: Among common technologies used in distributed generation, Direct Current is native to solar PV generation, while rotating generators (wind, diesel, hydropower, etc.) generate alternating current. Conversion between DC and AC is prone to result in efficiency losses and should be avoided where possible (see system efficiency).
• Battery storage: Battery storage solutions, too, are native DC and hence most efficiently applied in DC systems.
• End-use applications / energy services: DC is required by or suitable for a range of low power household and commercial applications, such as LED-lighting, consumer electronics (e.g. TV, radio, mobile phones) and variable speed drives in electric motors (e.g. for fans or pumps). Consequently, DC mini-grids are primarily used to provide basic level energy services such as lighting and mobile phone charging.
• Grid connection: Although high voltage DC transmission is on the rise worldwide, AC will still be the likely standard for electricity grids in decades to come. This renders DC systems principally unfavourable where interconnection of a mini-grid with the main grid is foreseen.

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Examples of DC mini-grids to date

Although to date AC is most commonly applied in mini-grids, a range of practical experiences with DC mini-grids exists. According to Palit and Malhotra (2014), the first DC micro-grid in India has been installed 30 years ago. Today, they are at the core of several initiatives and business models, providing basic energy services (such as lighting and mobile phone charging) to households and businesses mostly in India.

DC mini-grids are being implemented by:

• Meshpower: Meshpower has installed 7 solar PV DC micro-grids in Rwanda, providing power for lighting and mobile phone charging for up to 2-3 hours a day. They are applying the same model in India.
• Mera Gao Power(MGP): MGP has installed DC mini-grids in around 900 villages in India, providing lighting and mobile phone charging services to around 20,000 households. Installation costs averaged INR 55,000 per 30 households.
• Cygni: Cygni is headquartered at Hyderabad in India. By 2018 it has implemented DC systems in 816 villages across 9 states servicing 19.000 homes.
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI): By 2014, TERI had installed 30 DC micro-grids in Uttar Pradesh (India), providing 130 households and 1,100 business units with LED lighting (4 hours per day, 1-3 lights per HH) and mobile phone charging. Costs averaged INR 2,000,000 per 50 households connected.
• Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA): In 2011-12, UPNEDA installed 23 DC solar PV micro-grids in Uttar Pradesh (India), covering around 4,000 families. Electricity provision is limited to 4-5 hours in the evening, with 2 LED lamps and mobile charging for households.
• Minda: Minda has installed 13 DC solar PV micro-grids in India to date, providing electricity primarily for lighting (2 LED lamps per HH). Installation costs averaged around INR 360,000 per 40 households.
• Solaric: Solaric installs DC micro-grids, utilising 1.5 to 3 kWp PV systems. The company is active in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Malaysia.

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