A testbed for experimental validation of a low-voltage DC nanogrid for buildings

The architecture of an electric power system is a major determinant for the system structural practicability, safety, size, weight, energy efficiency, reliability, and ultimately the cost of energy utilization. Although most of these are actually quantifiable physical variables, the final choice of the electrical architecture when building or designing new electric power systems is, quite logically, very often made as a result of either different engineering traditions and experiences, or higher confidence in using proven and established practices. This paper examines a dc nanogrid - hypothetical future sustainable home electronic power distribution system with dc-based distribution and the presence of renewable energy sources. Description of the nanogrid and the testbed for its system-level operation analysis is presented in this paper together with initial experimental results and conclusions.