Thesis
Study of AC vs. DC power grids with the use of full-bridge DC-DC converters in photovoltaic to DC home applications
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
05/2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004048
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/124560
Abstract
The growing use of technology is creating an increase in power consumption and a demand for reliable and efficient energy sources and distributions. Many researchers are working and studying the topic of power generation. Anywhere from renewable energy source alternatives to design improvements in existing renewable sources to optimizing energy efficiencies of power electronic components within the system. Energy efficiency demands have also led researchers to look into other ways where inefficiencies could be eliminated from the current power grid infrastructure. The growing use of electronic, smart, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices is producing an increased use of direct current (DC) power in comparison to alternating current (AC) power loads, as more consumer-end electronics are running on a DC power source. The current power grid distributes AC power to all end-consumers, however, for DC loads, this AC signal needs to be converted to a DC signal. When integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid network, some of these renewable sources generate a DC power signal, e.g. solar power. For the existing power grid to distribute these types of renewable energy sources, the DC signal is converted to a high voltage AC (HVAC) signal. Once the AC signal reaches the desired end-load, the AC signal is converted back to a DC signal and its voltage amplitude steps down to a lower voltage level by several times to accommodate the load's power ratings. The back and forth conversions of DC to AC to DC, and in some cases, even more, has created several points of energy losses throughout the existing power grid infrastructure. This thesis provides an overview of the current AC power grid and discusses the energy losses associated with DC to AC and AC to DC signal conversions. This same type of discussion is then looked at for a theoretical implementation of a DC power grid distribution system and how it can improve the overall energy efficiency of a power system.
Metrics
5 File views/ downloads
33 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Study of AC vs. DC power grids with the use of full-bridge DC-DC converters in photovoltaic to DC home applications
- Creators
- Rachel Hager
- Contributors
- Feng Zhao (Advisor) - Washington State University, School of Engineering and Computer Science (VANC)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- School of Engineering and Computer Science (VANC)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Identifiers
- 99900890793101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis