"The Role of DC Microgrids in Power Producing Buildings for the 21st Century Energy

Network."

Brian T. Patterson – IEEE, IEC, USGBCPresident, EMerge Alliance

Roundtable and Policy Committee MeetingThursday, May 19, 2016 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

NIBS, 1090 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington DC

Smart GridEminent DomainSynchronizationFrequency ControlVoltage MaintenanceReactive Power (VARs)Spinning ReservesPeaking Turbines

Renewable Energy Sources (RES)Solar (PV) – Wind - Fuel CellsMicro-turbines - Combined Heat & Power Distributed Energy Resources (DER)Clean EnergyEnergy Storage

SSL - EfficiencySmart ControlsDigital Devices – IoTAC/DC Power ConversionFast Charge Electric VehiclesSmart BuildingsZero Net Energy (ZNE)

Remote Power AccessOff-gridIslandingMicrogridsLoad ShiftingDemand ResponseNet Metering

Power System ResiliencyElectro-Magnetic PulsesBrownouts-BlackoutsTerrorismExtreme WeatherPower QualityLinear Dynamic Failure

There are increasing challengeswith our legacy power infrastructure

Solution:

= The ENERNET

62,500 1,700,000,000

Community Microgrid

Building ServicesPower Storage & Control

Factory or WarehouseIndustrial Space

Outdoor SourcesOffice & Occupied Space

Data Center

Commercial Campus Microgrid

Wind Farm

Solar Farm

Sub-station

Sub-station

Commercial Campus

Microgrid

Community Microgrids

Peaking Power Plant

Utility-Scale Microgrids

Utility Microgrids are Ener-connected into ‘Smart-Macro-Grids’

Base Load Power Plant

Base Load Power Plant

Base Load Power Plant

Base Load Power Plant

Utility Transmission Macrogrid

The ENERNET

The Complete Grid Interconnect

Combining ideal solutions with key virtues learned from the Internet

Resilient Infrastructure

The New Energy Marketplace

Non-Synchronous Nanogrids, Microgrids and Macrogrids Organized into an Increasingly Expansive and Inclusive Tiered Framework

The ENERNET

Macrogrids

National

Tier 3Regional

MicrogridsCommunity

Tier 2Campus

Nanogrids Building Tier 1

Level, Room, Device Area

Transforming Traditional Power Gridsto an ENERNET Mesh Topology:

Integrated Mesh NetworkCluster Tree Network

Transactive Power Management Framework

+

Public Utilities Local Service Providers

ProsumersCloud Based Service Providers

+++

Predicted Transition to a market driven Transactive Energy Framework

Source: GridWise Architecture Council

Transactive Power Management Framework Timing

The ENERNET

Flexible, clean, efficient, resilient, affordable and sustainable energy infrastructure

Why DC Microgrids?

The ENERNET

Key Drivers: • Increasing use of natively dc power sources, i.e. success of solar

• Desire for non-synchronous multiple source coupling/bussing

• Increasing use of DC storage, i.e. rapidly advancing battery technology

• Ease of solid-state digital (dc) articulation of power

• Increasing use of high and low voltage electronic loads

• Desire to simplify and improve reliability of system electronics

Barriers to Overcome Full Utilization of DC Microgrids

• The Myths:

• Not as safe as AC

• Not good for long distance transmission

• Thicker wires needed?

• It’s not that much more efficient?

• The Reality:

• Standards & codes gaps

• Under-developed supply base

• Insufficient Industry knowledge base

• MEP, contractor & trade training required

• Volume market pricing lacking

Electric Function AC Microgrid Hybrid DC Microgrid

Power Sources(Solar / Wind / Fuel Cell / CHP/ grid)

AC + DC to AC DC + AC to DC

Power Storage(Battery / Thermal Electric)

IN: DC + AC DC + DC

OUT: DC to AC

IN: DC

OUT: DC

Distribution/Wiring(Conduit / Wiring / Circuit Protection)

AC + DC to AC DC

Loads/Devices/Outlets(Lighting / Motors / Pumps / IT

Security / Appliances / Desktop)

AC + AC to DC DC + DC to AC

Controls/Monitoring(Wired / Wireless)

AC to DC DC

Total Frequency Conversion Points 6 2

Microgrids Require Power Conversions

Notes: •Frequency conversions are generally much less efficient than simple voltage conversions•Conversion efficiency is almost always better at higher voltages and currents•Wire Size favors DC at equivalent voltages

Optimizing Power Conversions Via the Use of DC Microgrids Can Result in Double-Digit

Efficiency Increases

Source: Arthur D. Little Report to IEC SG4, September 2011

Immediate

Short Term

Long Term

100+ Test, Beta, & Production SitesCommercial, Residential, Data Center Applications

NextHomeCampion HomesDetroit. MI

PNC Banking on Net Zero

Uses 50% of traditional branch – annually produces a surplus of electric energy

Bedrock (Quicken Loans – Detroit, MI)

• 3 Floors of Class A

Office Space

• 14th Floor:T8 Fluorescent – No Controls

• 15th Floor:LED Retro Tube – No controls

• 16th Floor:LED Retro Tube – W IPv6

controls

• Dramatic Energy

Savings

75%!

• Recognized by

Americas Green

Challenge

(White House Initiative)

System Case Studies

State of Michigan – Flint Office Bldg.

• Deep Renovation of 7 Story Office Bldg.

• 110,000sf of 24v DC LED Lighting

• 70,000sf of DC Energized Ceiling

• IPv6 Wireless Lighting Control

• Complete Early 2016

System Case Studies

NextEnergy Center – Detroit …

380v DC Microgrid

380v DC Bus

380v DC Data Center

30kW Rectifier

23,300sf of 24v DC Lighting

IPv6 Wireless Controls

16kW of PV Solar

High Bay Lighting

System Case Studies

Pitt-Ohio Express Harmar Facility• Renewable DC Energy (Solar/Wind) and Storage System

• Innovative DC-based design and operation / future expansion plans

System Case Studies

Duquesne Light Microgrid at Wood’s Run- Distributed Energy Development/Integration

- Multiple resources/loads, AC and DC aspects, demonstration

Woods Run Campus

Preble AvenueService Center

New Manchester Facility

System Case Studies

The Sendai DC Microgrid• Powered area hospital following the disastrous tsunami

• Innovative DC-based design and operation / still fully operational

System Case Studies

Solar Power International and

Greenbuild 2016

Questions - Discussion

Thank you!www.emergealliance.org