Overview of the DC Power Conversion and Distribution

The DC distribution is discussed. A comparison of the DC distribution to conventional AC distribution has been made. The alternative method of high frequency AC distribution is addressed. DC distribution can often eliminate conversion stages. New methods of DC-DC power conversion have been reviewed. It can also facilitate the energy storage and enhance the reliability. Its application in electric vehicles is also described. Finally the future development of power electronics is highlighted. The DC distribution system is an alternative method for delivering power. The method has been proved to have advantages over conventional AC distribution in terms of energy saving, operation and cost. Thanks to the recent development in power electronics, the handling of the DC system including the voltage stepping, switching, DC energy storage is quite mature. In the last two decades, the rapid development in DC-DC power conversion is made in dramatic manner. New topology, analysis and control method have been reported. Therefore it is time to revisit such system and widen the opportunity to develop into a more practical establishment. Most of the electrical parts and systems are DC based. They may accept AC but internally have embedded with an AC-DC converter to obtain the necessary DC. For example, the computer units are derived by low voltage DC such as 3-20V. The motor drive inverter has also a DC link supplied by AC-DC rectifier. Most of the electronic lighting is now embedded with an electronic ballast which is also with a DC link of several hundred volts. The recent popular LED lighting is also a DC based system. Most energy storage systems such as battery, hydrogen storage and ultra-capacitor are DC devices. Alternative energy sources such as photovoltaic is also DC source. Therefore it is straight forward to use DC distribution for power transfer and power conversion. Another major alternative energy source, wind power, can output DC as well. Fig. 1 shows the configuration. The driver or power converter for the generator has a DC link. Nowadays, the wind power generation has biased to direct drive because of efficiency and elimination of the mechanical parts. The use of DC link will be advantageous because it allows a buffer stage to convert the variable frequency or low frequency from the generator side through an intermediate stage to the output stage. An inverter (AC-DC) is connected in the AC line using grid connection control. If DC distribution is used, the grid connection inverter can be eliminated.

[1]  Ka Wai Eric Cheng,et al.  Examination of the frequency modulation and lifting techniques for the generalized power factor correction switched‐capacitor resonant converter , 2008, International journal of circuit theory and applications.

[2]  Atsuo Kawamura.  Future Power Electronics and Motion Electronics - SiC Choppers and Biped Robots , 2006 .

[3]  Malik Elbuluk,et al.  Performance of power converters at cryogenic temperatures , 2001, ICECS.

[4]  Chunlian Jin,et al.  Current limiting technique based protection strategy for an industrial DC distribution system , 2006, 2006 IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics.

[5]  S.C.O. Mathuna,et al.  Magnetics on silicon: an enabling technology for power supply on chip , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics.

[6]  F. Wicks,et al.  Evaluating alternatives for integrating distributed DC generation with AC power systems , 2000, Collection of Technical Papers. 35th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference and Exhibit (IECEC) (Cat. No.00CH37022).

[7]  T. Robbins.  Circuit-breaker model for over-current protection simulation of DC distribution systems , 1995, Proceedings of INTELEC 95. 17th International Telecommunications Energy Conference.

[8]  N. Tullius,et al.  Proposed standard for transients on the 48 V rail , 1997, Proceedings of Power and Energy Systems in Converging Markets.

[9]  P.K. Jain,et al.  Dynamic Performance of an APWM Resonant Inverter for High Frequency AC Power Distribution System , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics.

[10]  Ka Wai Eric Cheng,et al.  Phase-shift controlled DC-DC convertor with bi-directional power flow , 2001 .

[11]  Jennifer Pallanich Hull.  HVDC Light improves efficiency, reduces emissions , 2003 .

[12]  Syed Islam,et al.  A battery management system for stand alone photovoltaic energy systems , 1999, Conference Record of the 1999 IEEE Industry Applications Conference. Thirty-Forth IAS Annual Meeting (Cat. No.99CH36370).

[13]  A. Ioinovici,et al.  Switched-capacitor power electronics circuits , 2001 .

[14]  Philip T. Krein,et al.  Preventing instability in DC distribution systems by using power buffering , 2001, 2001 IEEE 32nd Annual Power Electronics Specialists Conference (IEEE Cat. No.01CH37230).

[15]  Yuang-Shung Lee,et al.  Intelligent control battery equalization for series connected lithium-ion battery strings , 2005, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron..

[16]  D. J. Thompson.  DC voltage stabilization control in telecommunications DC distribution systems , 2002, 24th Annual International Telecommunications Energy Conference.

[17]  Toshiyuki Hayashi.  Power System Growth and Use of New Technologies in Japan , 2001, IEEE Power Engineering Review.

[18]  N.N. Schulz,et al.  DC Protection on the Electric Ship , 2007, 2007 IEEE Electric Ship Technologies Symposium.

[19]  Ka Wai Eric Cheng,et al.  Calculation of inductances of high frequency air-core transformers with superconductor windings for DC–DC converters , 2003 .

[20]  Issa Batarseh,et al.  Zero-Voltage-Switching DC-DC Converters , 2008 .

[21]  Ka Wai Eric Cheng,et al.  Unified analysis of switched-capacitor resonant converters , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.

[22]  F.C. Lee,et al.  Design Challenges For Distributed Power Systems , 2006, 2006 CES/IEEE 5th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference.

[23]  Fred C. Lee,et al.  A method of defining the load impedance specification for a stable distributed power system , 1993 .

[24]  K. Cheng,et al.  Temperature Dependence of Magnetic Properties of a Polymer Bonded Magnetic Material , 2006, 2006 2nd International Conference on Power Electronics Systems and Applications.

[25]  Praveen Jain,et al.  Dynamic Performance of an APWM Resonant Inverter for High Frequency AC Power Distribution System , 2006 .

[26]  K. K. Law,et al.  Examination of the frequency modulation and lifting techniques for the generalized power factor correction switched-capacitor resonant converter , 2008 .

[27]  J. Ferreira,et al.  Zero volt switching hybrid DC circuit breakers , 2000, Conference Record of the 2000 IEEE Industry Applications Conference. Thirty-Fifth IAS Annual Meeting and World Conference on Industrial Applications of Electrical Energy (Cat. No.00CH37129).

[28]  Henry Shu-Hung Chung,et al.  A low-profile low-power converter with coreless PCB isolation transformer , 2001 .

[29]  Robert W. Erickson,et al.  An improved automotive power distribution system using nonlinear resonant switch converters , 1989 .

[30]  C. K. Michael Tse,et al.  Comments on "Unified Analysis of Switched-Capacitor Resonant Converters" , 2007, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron..

[31]  A. Consoli,et al.  The future of electronic power processing and conversion , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[32]  K.W.E. Cheng,et al.  Calculation of winding losses in high-frequency toroidal inductors using single strand conductors , 1994 .

[33]  B. A. Bowles,et al.  Modelling interference properties of SMPS DC power distribution buses , 1989, National Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility.

[34]  D. Boroyevich,et al.  Modeling, control and stability analysis of a PEBB based DC DPS , 1999 .

[35]  I. Batarseh,et al.  A review of distributed power systems. Part II. High frequency AC distributed power systems , 2006, IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine.

[36]  C. K. Michael Tse,et al.  Comments on "Design and analysis of switched-capacitor-based step-up resonant Converters" , 2006, IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. I Regul. Pap..

[37]  R. Steigerwald,et al.  A comparison of half-bridge resonant converter topologies , 1987, 1987 IEEE Applied Power Electronics conference and Exposition.

[38]  Ka Wai Eric Cheng,et al.  Investigation of multiple output operation for switched‐capacitor resonant converters , 2002, Int. J. Circuit Theory Appl..

[39]  Ka Wai Eric Cheng,et al.  Computation of the AC resistance of multistranded conductor inductors with multilayers for high frequency switching converters , 2000 .

[41]  K.W.E. Cheng,et al.  Tapped inductor for switched-mode power converters , 2006 .

[42]  R. Davis,et al.  Wafer Bonding of Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride , 2001 .

[43]  Mike Barnes,et al.  Voltage control on an uninhabited autonomous vehicle electrical distribution system , 2008 .

[44]  Ka Wai Eric Cheng,et al.  Design and analysis of switched-capacitor-based step-up resonant converters , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers.

[45]  Dushan Boroyevich,et al.  Fault detection in DC distributed power systems based on impedance characteristics of modules , 2000, Conference Record of the 2000 IEEE Industry Applications Conference. Thirty-Fifth IAS Annual Meeting and World Conference on Industrial Applications of Electrical Energy (Cat. No.00CH37129).

[46]  A. Khaligh,et al.  Power electronics intensive solutions for advanced electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicular power systems , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics.

[47]  M. Brenna,et al.  High power quality and DG integrated low voltage dc distribution system , 2006, 2006 IEEE Power Engineering Society General Meeting.