Is a massive deployment of renewable-based low voltage direct current microgrids feasible? Converters, protections, controllers, and social approach

Abstract

The main objective pursued by this survey is to debate the feasibility of a new distribution system in low voltage direct current (LVDC) microgrids and its impact on social development. To this end, this study provides valuable information for renewable energy planners and researchers, giving insights or solutions to reduce the transition gap between the current energy network and the future DC energy microgrids. Mainly, this article is divided into interlinking converters, protection schemes, and control systems, which have been analyzed taking into account the technical aspects of an LVDC microgrid as well as the social impact they have in poverty areas. This survey studies how low voltage DC networks can produce social welfare. In short, this paper assess social implications and technical issues, such as low inertia, grounding issues, voltage regulations, arc apparition, etc., providing a different approach to overcome these issues.

Keywords

• Low voltage DC systems
• Interlinking converter
• Grounding schemes
• Instability issues
• Control strategies
• Social welfare