DC microgrid technologies have been applied to data centres, electric vehicle power systems, and telecommunications. A number of applications of DC microgrid in future smart grid scenario have been proposed, which includes high efficiency households, renewable energy parks, and hybrid energy storage systems, etc. However, most of the DC microgrid researches are still simulation-based.
Based on the unique expertise and world class facilities of the consortium, RDC2MT project will focus on five cutting-edge research challenges.
In DC microgrids, power electronics converters are crucial components. RDC2MT project will work on integrating communication into power electronics converters. Prototypes of 1kW modular DC/DC converter with integrated communication function will be designed and implemented by the end of the project.
Battery state of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) estimations are still open research topics, and many different methods have been proposed. In RDC2MT project, we are aiming to aim to implement an on-line Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy technique to estimate the SoC and SoH of batteries.
Fuel cell for household applications is a new market, and can make a fundamental shift in the sourcing of energy. In RDC2MT project, research work will be performed to develop, understand and optimize a microscale fuel cell system for high efficiency DC house.
For DC microgrids, power electronics converters provide many flexible functions, but also introduce more complex and fast internal dynamics. In RDC2MT project, we will develop systematic theories and tools for stability analysis and design of power-electronics-based DC microgrid systems.
The research on the coordinated control of DC microgrids with multiple power converters is still quite early stage. In RDC2MT project, different optimisation strategies will be studied for the optimal operation of DC microgrids in DC house/building applications.
Potential impact:
Based on the EU energy sector economic analysis, the energy sector directly employs about 1.6 million people in the EU, and generates an added €250 billion to the economy. The EU has also endorsed ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets and associated targets for the decarbonisation of the energy sectors. RDC2MT project will produce a direct impact on this by the development of a cost-effectiveness strategy to integrate renewable energy sources and energy storage into the European household energy sector, which will result in less greenhouse gas emissions.
