Low-Voltage DC Distribution—Utilization Potential in a Large Distribution Network Company

Low-voltage direct-current (LVDC) distribution is a promising solution whose benefits are large power transfer capacity with low voltage, high cost savings potential, and improvements to reliability and voltage quality. Tests by the pilot implementation in the distribution system operator (DSO) Elenia Oy have given promising results. The power transfer capacity of the system has been calculated in this paper using voltage drop and maximum load of cable as boundaries. The branches of the medium-voltage network that can be replaced by LVDC distribution are determined based on the calculations and mass computation of the entire distribution area of Elenia Oy. Based on the electrotechnical and customer outage costs (COC) analyses made, it can be inferred that LVDC distribution has good utilization potential. Based on the power transfer capacity calculations, it is technically possible to replace branch lines up to 8 km long by LVDC distribution which means about 20% of the total medium-voltage network length in the distribution area of Elenia Oy. This means also huge potential in improving the overall reliability of electricity supply and in reducing outage costs of customers which are these days taken into account in the regulation of network business.