DC Distribution Systems and Microgrids

DC electric power distribution systems have higher efficiency, better current carrying capacity and faster response when compared to conventional AC systems. They also provide a more natural interface with many types of renewable energy sources. Furthermore, there are fewer issues with reactive power flow, power quality and frequency regulation, resulting in a notably less complex control system. All these facts lead to increased applications of DC systems in modern power systems. Still, design and operation of these systems imposes a number of specific challenges, mostly related to lack of mature protection technology and operational experience, as well as very early development stage of standards regarding DC based power infrastructure.

This book provides an up-to-date overview of recent research activities in the control, protection and architectural design of a number of different types of DC distribution systems and microgrids. Practical requirements and implementation details of several types of DC distribution systems used in the real world industrial applications are also presented. Several types of coordinated control design concepts are shown, with concepts of stabilization being explained in detail. The book reviews the shortcomings and future developments concerning the practical DC system integration issues.

Tomislav Dragičević is an Associate Professor at Aalborg University, Denmark. His research interests are in modelling, control and design of reliable power electronic based systems. In 2018, he was a visiting professor at University of Nottingham, UK. He serves as an Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics and Journal of Power Electronics.

Pat Wheeler is a Professor in Power Electronic Systems and Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Nottingham, UK. He is also the Li Dak Sum Chair Professor in Electrical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. His research focuses on various aspects of power converter topologies and applications.

Frede Blaabjerg is Professor and Villum Investigator at Department of Energy Technology of Aalborg University, Denmark. His research encompasses control, power electronics, energy savings, reliability, power quality, solar power and wind power. He has been Visiting Professor at several Chinese institutions and has been a member of many international scientific societies and boards. He has published widely in the field.