Project SoLa BRISTOL and the “ecohome”

Project SoLa BRISTOL is a Low Carbon Network Fund project investigating the implications of investing in DC micro-grids for homes, schools and offices. The Bristol “ecohome” is a purpose-built show home full of practical ideas for greener living and is hosting the prototype DC micro-grid designed for a domestic property. This DC micro-grid provides a low voltage DC network within the property providing supplies for lighting and information technology applications derived from either PV panels or the public supply. It includes a DC storage facility. AC supplies can also be derived from the storage system providing improved quality of supply and cost benefits through “moving the time of supply use”. The design of the DC micro-grid and the assessments involved are described in the paper. It also introduces how this system can be used to assist in the operation of the distribution network. The system described is the prototype which will be installed into a sample of domestic properties providing advantages to both the householders and the utility. Some of the challenges of this application are explored in the paper.