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Adoption Pathways for DC Power Distribution in Buildings

Author

Listed:
  • Vagelis Vossos

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Daniel L. Gerber

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Melanie Gaillet-Tournier

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Bruce Nordman

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Richard Brown

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Willy Bernal Heredia

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • Omkar Ghatpande

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • Avijit Saha

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • Gabe Arnold

    (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA)

  • Stephen M. Frank

    (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401, USA)

Abstract

Driven by the proliferation of DC energy sources and DC end-use devices (e.g., photovoltaics, battery storage, solid-state lighting, and consumer electronics), DC power distribution in buildings has recently emerged as a path to improved efficiency, resilience, and cost savings in the transitioning building sector. Despite these important benefits, there are several technological and market barriers impeding the development of DC distribution, which have kept this technology at the demonstration phase. This paper identifies specific end-use cases for which DC distribution in buildings is viable today. We evaluate their technology and market readiness, as well as their efficiency, cost, and resiliency benefits while addressing implementation barriers. The paper starts with a technology review, followed by a comprehensive market assessment, in which we analyze DC distribution field deployments and their end-use characteristics. We also conduct a survey of DC power and building professionals through on-site visits and phone interviews and summarize lessons learned and recommendations. In addition, the paper includes a novel efficiency analysis, in which we quantify energy savings from DC distribution for different end-use categories. Based on our findings, we present specific adoption pathways for DC in buildings that can be implemented today, and for each pathway we identify challenges and offer recommendations for the research and building community.

Suggested Citation

  • Vagelis Vossos & Daniel L. Gerber & Melanie Gaillet-Tournier & Bruce Nordman & Richard Brown & Willy Bernal Heredia & Omkar Ghatpande & Avijit Saha & Gabe Arnold & Stephen M. Frank, 2022. "Adoption Pathways for DC Power Distribution in Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:3:p:786-:d:730701
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gerber, Daniel L. & Vossos, Vagelis & Feng, Wei & Marnay, Chris & Nordman, Bruce & Brown, Richard, 2018. "A simulation-based efficiency comparison of AC and DC power distribution networks in commercial buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 1167-1187.
    2. 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.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Schöpper, Yannick & Digmayer, Claas & Bartusch, Raphaela & Ebrahim, Ola & Hermens, Sarah & Nejabat, Razieh & Steireif, Niklas & Wendorff, Jannik & Jakobs, Eva-Maria & Lohrberg, Frank & Madlener, Reinh, 2023. "Developing a Niche Readiness Level Model to Assess Socio-Economic Maturity: The Case of DC Technologies in the Transition to Flexible Electrical Networks," FCN Working Papers 11/2023, E.ON Energy Research Center, Future Energy Consumer Needs and Behavior (FCN).
    4. Eskander, Monica M. & Silva, Carlos A., 2023. "Techno-economic and environmental comparative analysis for DC microgrids in households: Portuguese and French household case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    5. 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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