Distribution Loss Analysis of DC Microgrids for Rural Electrification

Rural electrification is important to mitigate energy poverty and improve human development in remote unelectrified regions. Optimal planning and designing of the microgrid architectures are required for providing electricity access. DC microgrid architectures with static generation and load demand have some limitations with respect to the planning side. Time-based dynamic load demand and generation gives an insight into a more practical and real-time approach. In this paper, a detailed distribution loss analysis of both centralized and distributed microgrid architectures with dynamic load and generation profiles is presented. The distributed architecture consists of individual household consumers that form independent nanogrids, which can operate in both standalone and integrated manner to make the microgrid scalable. The centralized architecture comprises of distributed load with centralized generation and storage. Both centralized and distributed systems with ring and radial orientations are considered and their performance is evaluated using a modified Newton Raphson method for DC systems. A comparative distribution loss analysis with various conductor sizes and voltage levels shows that the distributed ring architecture is significantly advantageous based on low distribution losses, high efficiency, and low voltage drop. It offers an additional feature of scalability and low capital cost. The microgrid architectures can be tested for any region by using the real-time solar irradiation data, weather conditions, and the dynamic load demand of that community.