Feasibility of a DC network for commercial facilities

This paper analyzes the feasibility of direct current for the supply of offices and commercial facilities. This is done by analyzing a case study, i.e. the supply to the Department of Electric Power Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. Voltage drop calculations have been carried out for different voltage levels. A backup system for reliable power supply is designed based on commercially available batteries. Finally, an economic evaluation of ac versus dc is performed and protection of the proposed system is briefly addressed.