Authors:

Liam Q Johnson

Date Created:

Not specified

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About Paper:

The modern AC electrical macrogrid struggles with a variety of challenges, namely increasing energy demands, overreliance on nonrenewables, and power losses due to long-distance transmission and endpoint AC to DC rectification. This can make the grid unstable and unsustainable. To combat these issues, this research aims to design and test a DC "nanogrid" semi-isolated from the macrogrid which operates on renewables and prevents rectification losses when possible. To accomplish this, the design of the DC House nanogrid will be updated and communication between the house's solar PV system, battery, and other intermediate devices will be established. A DC-DC converter will be installed to control battery charging/discharging, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) will be used to implement smart controls along with programming software. Implementing smart controls with the PV and battery will increase the energy efficiency of the house significantly, providing a cost-effective source of renewable energy which bolsters the DC nanogrid, making the house less grid-dependent in times of failure and over usage. This research shows that DC nanogrids with renewable energy sources can be retrofitted into residential homes, such as the 1920's era DC Nanogrid house, making existing homes more sustainable and able to operate independently from the macrogrid for sustained periods of time. Further research will demonstrate the scalability of such nanogrid systems to a wide variety of homes in North America when designs are made more cost-effective and feasible. Keywords: Nanogrid; Microgrid; Direct Current; Residential; Solar

Source:

Purdue University / 2024

Topics:

No topics listed

Co-authors:

Liam Q Johnson