Medium Voltage DC System Architectures

Direct Current (DC) transmission and distribution technologies have evolved in recent years. They offer superior efficiency, current carrying capacity, and response times as compared to conventional AC systems. Further, substantial advantages are their natural interface with many types of renewable energy resources, such as photovoltaic systems and battery energy storage systems at relatively high voltage, and compliance with consumer electronics at lower voltages, say, within a household environment. One of the core building blocks of DC-based technologies, especially at medium voltage levels, is power electronic systems technology. This cannot be emphasized enough as these units process, convert, and regulate all DC power and provide intelligence and sensing as electric power grids evolve.