ARDA DC Microgrid Platform

Why DC in AC world?

Sources - increasingly generate DC

​In many parts of the world, including in the United States, Solar PV already represents a majority of newly installed energy capacity.

Solar PV generates DC.  So do fuel cells.

​Even many native AC generation sources, like gas generators, can benefit from connecting to a battery-based DC microgrid by running more efficiently.

Loads - increasingly consume DC

We may not have noticed it, but DC Loads - like EV Fast Chargers and LED lights - are already pervasive and getting even more so.  So are electronics like laptops, servers and cell phones.

​Even many native AC Loads, like HVAC systems, are switching to higher efficiency technologies that employ variable speed drives (VFD), which are fed from an internal DC bus, making these loads virtually "camouflaged" DC Loads.

Batteries - store DC

Energy Storage is becoming more affordable and widespread as more renewables are deployed and the demand for resiliency grows.

​Batteries store and discharge DC power.

DER Integration - easier with DC

For commercial/industrial and similar sized applications, integration of distributed energy resources (DER) into microgrids is much easier using DC coupling versus AC coupling. DC coupling requires significantly less upfront engineering and makes it possible to truly commoditize the microgrids.

Interconnection of DC Microgrids to the utility grid is dramatically simplified in comparison with AC Microgrids and requires much less grid capacity.

Resiliency - better with DC

There is an increased demand for energy resiliency due to factors like climate change and cybersecurity.

DC Microgrids are by far more resilient than traditional systems as they are decoupled from the AC Grid.