Smart DC microgrids: Modeling and power flow analysis of a DC Microgrid for off-grid and weak-grid connected communities

This paper presents a modular, scalable and viable architecture for a DC Microgrid to supply electrical power to off-grid communities, particularly in developing countries, where grid electricity is unavailable or is largely intermittent. We have modeled a system for a 40 house village where each house generates (through PV), stores and can share electrical energy with the community for an optimized system. The concept is then extended to an islanded DC Microgrid model with scalable renewable generation and smart power regulation. This paper also includes the operational analysis of the proposed microgrid architecture using Newton Raphson method modified for DC grid analysis. This analysis is used to optimize the voltage level for regulation, efficiency and safety. The results are then verified through an experimental setup in the laboratory. Lastly, this paper also proposes a protection scheme for the DC microgrid and the contributing households.