Future electronic power distribution systems a contemplative view

TLDR

Electronic power converters promise improved controllability, reliability, size, and efficiency, yet their adoption remains low due to cost and reliability concerns, although designing entire distribution systems around controllable converters could lower overall cost and enhance reliability, as shown in low‑power computer and telecom equipment. The paper explores future AC and DC electronic power distribution architectures, using a computer power system as a starting point and focusing on integration with renewable energy sources. It proposes a nanogrid‑microgrid‑grid hierarchy that dynamically decouples generation, distribution, and consumption through bidirectional converters acting as energy control centers, illustrated by a simulated DC nanogrid in a sustainable home and outlining modeling, analysis, and system‑level design aspects such as power flow control, protection, stability, and subsystem interactions.

Abstract

Although it has long been argued that electronic power converters can help improve system controllability, reliability, size, and efficiency, their penetration in power systems is still quite low. The often-cited barriers of higher cost and lower reliability of the power converters are quite high if power electronics is used as direct, one-to-one, replacement for the existing electromechanical equipment. However, if the whole power distribution system were designed as a system of controllable converters, the overall system cost and reliability could actually improve, as is currently the case at low power levels within computer and telecom equipment. Starting from the example of a computer power system, the paper contemplates possible future ac and dc electronic power distribution system architectures, especially in the presence of renewable energy sources. The proposed nanogrid-microgrid-…-grid structure achieves hierarchical dynamic decoupling of generation, distribution, and consumption by using bidirectional converters as energy control centers. This is illustrated by the description and simulation of static and dynamic operation of a dc nanogrid in a hypothetical future sustainable home. Several ideas for modeling, analysis, and system-level design of such systems, including power flow control, protection, stability, and subsystem interactions, are presented.