By replacing suitable medium-voltage (MV) AC branch lines and 400-V low-voltage AC lines in some parts of the network, the low-voltage DC (LVDC) network provides a cost-effective way to develop distribution networks. At every electricity end-user connected to the LVDC network, the AC supply is provided by a customer-end inverter (CEI). Further, application of power electronics to the LVDC enables constant customer-end voltage quality control, and smart grid functions, such as communications, customer-end load control, and intelligent network management.
The main scope of the study is to set design and operation requirements for customer-end inverter and analyse inverter structures suitable to for this application. When the CEI alone is supplying the end-user, it is responsible for voltage quality, protection, and other functionalities in customer-end network. The study discusses functionalities that are required for proper and reliable power supply. Also, the rectifier structures, operation, and required functionalities are covered. Because of the power electronic converters responsible of DC network and customer-end supply, common-mode and radio frequency electromagnetic interferences are covered.
As a result, analysis of the power electronics in LVDC distribution is carried out. The theoretical analysis is backed up with results gathered from a practical research setup, implemented in an actual distribution network.