Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

DC electricity networks

2014-07-03T23:22:19Z

Mathias:

The Energy Saving Trust estimated in 2007 that by 2020, 45% of the electricity consumption in a household would be “entertainment, computers and gadgets and LED lighting” [1] – all DC-powered (Direct Current).<br/>

Greg Reed, director of the Power & Energy Initiative at the University of Pittsburgh is quoted in Technology Review saying that “Within the next 20 years we could definitely see as much as 50 percent of our total loads be made up of DC consumption... It’s accelerating even more than we’d expected.” [2]

Solar panels produce DC power and have to be coupled with an inverter to feed into the mains, costing easily 10-15% of the generated power in the process. [3, 4] So why not use the DC directly in devices that use DC anyway?

Some server farms have now started investing in DC distribution systems. Siemens is currently running an EU-supported research project called “DC Components and Grid” (DCC+G) [5]

Adding to the trend is the increasing prevalence of electric cars, most of which currently have transformers to charge on AC (Alternating Current) but can most quickly and efficiently be charged with DC electricity.

External AC to DC adapters (otherwise known as 'power supply units' or PSUs) have become a lot more efficient and smaller with the advent of switched-mode operation (they switch the mains power on and off thousands of times per second rather than using big coils to change voltages at set ratios). Since 2005 there is an internationally agreed efficiency rating scheme for external power supplies [6] resulting in Roman numerals shown inconspicuously on the PSU, with older (but already switching) units typically rated III or IV, but today’s units most often carrying a V. Ratings of VI or higher are likely to be reserved for future use.

Lighting has gone from tungsten GLS bulbs (General Lighting Service) that ran on AC (though technically they operate as well on DC) via Halogens based on the same principle, to Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs). LEDs run on DC and require a transformer when connected to AC power. CFLs are a bit more complicated – they use a ballast (the plastic bottom part the CFL) that converts mains AC into DC and then back into much higher frequency AC (in the kHz range). The BRE study on DC distribution from 2002 found that savings of around 4% could be achieved by skipping the first part of that. [3]

High power home appliances (such as freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, kettles, toasters, blenders etc.) still use AC without transformation. But more powerful and efficient DC motors are being developed, and DC fridge-freezers already exist.

In 2002, BRE was quite sceptical as to the potential of using DC power from solar panels directly. But the fully DC-powered energetically self-sufficient home may warrant a fresh look. Moshe Kinn wrote an MPhil Thesis at the University of Manchester in 2011 on the topic, which may be a good starting point. [7]

A big concern is the possible length of cable with higher transmission losses at lower voltages. But if it makes sense for a server farm, it could well make sense for a home.

= Find out more<br/> =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===
*BRE.
*Solar thermal panels.
*Solar photovoltaics.

=== External references (all web resources last accessed on 2014-02-21) ===
*[1] The ampere strikes back: How consumer electronics are taking over the world, Energy Saving Trust 2007
*[2] [http://www.technologyreview.com/news/427504/edisons-revenge-the-rise-of-dc-power/ www.technologyreview.com/news/427504/edisons-revenge-the-rise-of-dc-power/]
*[3] BRE for DTI 2002: The use of direct current output from PV systems in buildings:
*[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17277.pdf webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17277.pdf]
*[4] [http://www.solar-facts.com/inverters/inverter-efficiency.php www.solar-facts.com/inverters/inverter-efficiency.php]
*[5] [http://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news/2012/e_inno_1222_1.htm www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news/2012/e_inno_1222_1.htm]
*[6] International agreement document from 2005 showing draft implementation timelines, published by the Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA):
*[http://www.psma.com/ul_files/forums/energy/July2005EPSInternationalEfficiencyMarkingProtocol_rev2.pdf www.psma.com/ul_files/forums/energy/July2005EPSInternationalEfficiencyMarkingProtocol_rev2.pdf] The latest available version of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s [http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/revisions/downloads/International_Efficiency_Marking_Protocol.pdf ENERGY STAR] implementation:
*[7] [http://www.dcisthefuture.org/papers/ www.dcisthefuture.org/papers]

--[[User:Mathias|Mathias]] 00:22, 4 July 2014 (BST)

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[[Category:Products_/_components]]
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User:Mathias

2014-07-03T23:18:42Z

Mathias:

Built environment, energy efficiency and renewable energy pro with a natural resource ecology background. Worked at:<br/>

*BRE on digital collaboration and outreach;<br/>

*co-ordinated lots of working groups at the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Buildings on policy design and implementation, with a focus on alleviating the scourge of Fuel Poverty; and<br/>

*developed product certification criteria and responded to techie customer enquiries for the Energy Saving Trust.

Hobby violinist and dad of two, rarely bored.

skype: mathias.hessler<br/>Twitter: [https://twitter.com/Mathi80 @Mathi80]<br/>[http://lnkd.in/cd4YqQ lnkd.in/cd4YqQ]

User:Mathias

2014-07-03T23:16:47Z

Mathias:

Built environment, energy efficiency and renewable energy pro with a natural resource ecology background. Worked at:<br/>

*BRE on digital collaboration and outreach;<br/>

*co-ordinated lots of working groups at the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Buildings on policy design and implementation, with a focus on alleviating the scourge of Fuel Poverty; and<br/>

*developed product certification criteria and responded to techie customer enquiries for the Energy Saving Trust.

Hobby violinist and dad of two, rarely bored.

skype: [[skype:mathias.hessler?add|mathias.hessler]]<br/>Twitter: [https://twitter.com/Mathi80 @Mathi80]<br/>[http://lnkd.in/cd4YqQ lnkd.in/cd4YqQ]

User:Mathias

2014-07-03T23:15:15Z

Mathias:

Built environment, energy efficiency and renewable energy pro with a natural resource ecology background. Worked at:<br/>

*BRE on digital collaboration and outreach;<br/>

*co-ordinated lots of working groups at the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Buildings on policy design and implementation, with a focus on alleviating the scourge of Fuel Poverty; and<br/>

*developed product certification criteria and responded to techie customer enquiries for the Energy Saving Trust.

Hobby violinist and dad of two, rarely bored.

skype: mathias.hessler <br/>Twitter: @Mathi80 <br/>[http://lnkd.in/cd4YqQ lnkd.in/cd4YqQ]

User:Mathias

2014-07-03T23:14:45Z

Mathias:

Built environment, energy efficiency and renewable energy pro with a natural resource ecology background. Worked at: <br/>

*BRE on digital collaboration and outreach; <br/>

*co-ordinated lots of working groups at the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Buildings on policy design and implementation, with a focus on alleviating the scourge of Fuel Poverty; and <br/>

*developed product certification criteria and responded to techie customer enquiries for the Energy Saving Trust.

Hobby violinist and dad of two, rarely bored.

skype: mathias.hessler

Twitter: @Mathi80[http://lnkd.in/cd4YqQ lnkd.in/cd4YqQ]<br/>

DC electricity networks

2014-02-21T14:27:21Z

Mathias:

The Energy Saving Trust estimated in 2007 that by 2020, 45% of the electricity consumption in a household would be “entertainment, computers and gadgets” [1] – all DC-powered. LED lighting also uses DC power. Greg Reed, director of the Power & Energy Initiative at the University of Pittsburgh is quoted in [2] saying that “Within the next 20 years we could definitely see as much as 50 percent of our total loads be made up of DC consumption,” and “It’s accelerating even more than we’d expected.”

Solar panels produce DC and have to be coupled with an inverter to feed into the mains, costing easily 10-15% of the generated power in the process. [3, 4] So many householders, though mostly geeks at the moment, are asking themselves: why not use the DC directly in devices that use DC anyway?

Some server farms have also now started investing in DC distribution systems. Siemens is currently running an EU-supported research project called “DC Components and Grid” (DCC+G) [5]

Adding to the trend is the increasing prevalence of electric cars, most of which currently have transformers on board to charge on AC but can most quickly and efficiently be charged with DC electricity.

External AC to DC adapters (aka power supply units, PSUs) have become a lot more efficient and smaller with the advent of switched-mode operation (they switch the mains power on and off thousands of times per second rather than using big coils to change voltages at set ratios). Since 2005 there is an internationally agreed efficiency rating scheme for external power supplies [6] resulting in Roman numerals shown inconspicuously on the PSU, with older (but already switching) ones typically rated III or IV, and today’s most often carrying a V. VI or higher are reserved for future use – as pretty much all units sold today are V, there is an argument for a the VI or VII to make an entry.

Lighting has gone from tungsten GLS bulbs that ran on AC (though technically they operate as well on DC) via Halogens based on the same principle, to Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and LEDs. LEDs run on DC and require a transformer when connected to AC power. CFLs are a bit more complicated – they use a ballast (the plastic bottom bit of any regular CFL) that converts mains AC into DC and then back into much higher frequency AC (in the kHz range). The BRE study on DC distribution from 2002 (already mentioned above) found that savings of around 4% could be achieved by skipping the first part of that. [3]

High power home appliances (large: freezers, washing machines, dishwashers etc. as well as small: kettles, toasters, blenders etc.) still use AC without transformation. But more powerful and efficient DC motors are also being developed, and DC fridge-freezers exist.

In 2002, BRE was quite sceptical overall as to the potential of using DC power from solar panels directly. But the fully DC-powered energetically self-sufficient home may warrant a fresh look. Moshe Kinn, currently PhD student at the University of Salford, wrote his MPhil Thesis while at the University of Manchester in 2011 on the topic, which may be a good starting point. [7]

A big concern is about the possible length of cable with the higher transmission losses at lower voltages. But if it makes sense for a server farm, it could well make sense for a home.

== Sources<br/> ==

(all web resources last accessed on 2014-02-21)

[1]<br/>«The ampere strikes back: How consumer electronics are taking over the world», Energy Saving Trust 2007

[2]<br/>[http://www.technologyreview.com/news/427504/edisons-revenge-the-rise-of-dc-power/ www.technologyreview.com/news/427504/edisons-revenge-the-rise-of-dc-power/]

[3]<br/>BRE for DTI 2002: The use of direct current output from PV systems in buildings:<br/>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17277.pdf webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17277.pdf]

[4]<br/>[http://www.solar-facts.com/inverters/inverter-efficiency.php www.solar-facts.com/inverters/inverter-efficiency.php]

[5]<br/>[http://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news/2012/e_inno_1222_1.htm www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news/2012/e_inno_1222_1.htm]

[6]<br/>International agreement document from 2005 showing draft implementation timelines, published by the Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA):<br/>[http://www.psma.com/ul_files/forums/energy/July2005EPSInternationalEfficiencyMarkingProtocol_rev2.pdf www.psma.com/ul_files/forums/energy/July2005EPSInternationalEfficiencyMarkingProtocol_rev2.pdf]

The latest available version of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR implementation:<br/>[http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/revisions/downloads/International_Efficiency_Marking_Protocol.pdf www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/revisions/downloads/International_Efficiency_Marking_Protocol.pdf]

[7]<br/>[http://www.dcisthefuture.org/papers/ www.dcisthefuture.org/papers]

[[Category:Construction_techniques]]
[[Category:Roles_/_services]]
[[Category:Products_/_components]]
[[Category:Sustainability]]
[[Category:Property_development]]

DC electricity networks

2014-02-21T10:17:05Z

Mathias:

The Energy Saving Trust estimated in 2007 that by 2020, 45% of the electricity consumption in a household would be “entertainment, computers and gadgets” [1] – all DC-powered. LED lighting also uses DC power. Greg Reed, director of the Power & Energy Initiative at the University of Pittsburgh is quoted in [2] saying that “Within the next 20 years we could definitely see as much as 50 percent of our total loads be made up of DC consumption,” and “It’s accelerating even more than we’d expected.”

Solar panels produce DC and have to be coupled with an inverter to feed into the mains, costing easily 10-15% of the generated power in the process. [3, 4] So many householders, though mostly geeks at the moment, are asking themselves: why not use the DC directly in devices that use DC anyway?

Some server farms have also now started investing in DC distribution systems. Siemens is currently running an EU-supported research project called “DC Components and Grid” (DCC+G) [5]

Adding to the trend is the increasing prevalence of electric cars, most of which currently have transformers on board to charge on AC but can most quickly and efficiently be charged with DC electricity.

External AC to DC adapters (aka power supply units, PSUs) have become a lot more efficient and smaller with the advent of switched-mode operation (they switch the mains power on and off thousands of times per second rather than using big coils to change voltages at set ratios). Since 2005 there is an internationally agreed efficiency rating scheme for external power supplies [6] resulting in Roman numerals shown inconspicuously on the PSU, with older (but already switching) ones typically rated III or IV, and today’s most often carrying a V. VI or higher are reserved for future use – as pretty much all units sold today are V, there is an argument for a the VI or VII to make an entry.

Lighting has gone from tungsten GLS bulbs that ran on AC (though technically they operate as well on DC) via Halogens based on the same principle, to Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and LEDs. LEDs run on DC and require a transformer when connected to AC power. CFLs are a bit more complicated – they use a ballast (the plastic bottom bit of any regular CFL) that converts mains AC into DC and then back into much higher frequency AC (in the kHz range). The BRE study on DC distribution from 2002 (already mentioned above) found that savings of around 4% could be achieved by skipping the first part of that. [3]

High power home appliances (large: freezers, washing machines, dishwashers etc. as well as small: kettles, toasters, blenders etc.) still use AC without transformation. But more powerful and efficient DC motors are also being developed, and DC fridge-freezers exist.

In 2002, BRE was quite sceptical overall as to the potential of using DC power from solar panels directly. But the fully DC-powered energetically self-sufficient home may warrant a fresh look. Moshe Kinn wrote an MPhil Thesis at the University of Manchester in 2011 on the topic, which may be a good starting point. [7]

A big concern is about the possible length of cable with the higher transmission losses at lower voltages. But if it makes sense for a server farm, it could well make sense for a home.

== Sources <br/> ==

(all web resources last accessed on 2014-02-21)

[1] <br/>«The ampere strikes back: How consumer electronics are taking over the world», Energy Saving Trust 2007

[2] <br/>[http://www.technologyreview.com/news/427504/edisons-revenge-the-rise-of-dc-power/ www.technologyreview.com/news/427504/edisons-revenge-the-rise-of-dc-power/]

[3] <br/>BRE for DTI 2002: The use of direct current output from PV systems in buildings: <br/>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17277.pdf webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17277.pdf]

[4] <br/>[http://www.solar-facts.com/inverters/inverter-efficiency.php www.solar-facts.com/inverters/inverter-efficiency.php]

[5] <br/>[http://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news/2012/e_inno_1222_1.htm www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news/2012/e_inno_1222_1.htm]

[6] <br/>International agreement document from 2005 showing draft implementation timelines, published by the Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA): <br/>[http://www.psma.com/ul_files/forums/energy/July2005EPSInternationalEfficiencyMarkingProtocol_rev2.pdf www.psma.com/ul_files/forums/energy/July2005EPSInternationalEfficiencyMarkingProtocol_rev2.pdf]

The latest available version of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR implementation: <br/>[http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/revisions/downloads/International_Efficiency_Marking_Protocol.pdf www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/revisions/downloads/International_Efficiency_Marking_Protocol.pdf]

[7] <br/>[http://www.dcisthefuture.org/papers/ www.dcisthefuture.org/papers]

[[Category:Construction_techniques]]
[[Category:Roles_/_services]]
[[Category:Products_/_components]]
[[Category:Sustainability]]
[[Category:Property_development]]

DC electricity networks

2014-02-21T10:11:44Z

Mathias: Created page with " The Energy Saving Trust estimated in 2007 that by 2020, 45% of the electricity consumption in a household would be “entertainment, computers and gadgets” [1] – all DC-powe..."

The Energy Saving Trust estimated in 2007 that by 2020, 45% of the electricity consumption in a household would be “entertainment, computers and gadgets” [1] – all DC-powered. LED lighting also uses DC power. Greg Reed, director of the Power & Energy Initiative at the University of Pittsburgh is quoted in [2] saying that “Within the next 20 years we could definitely see as much as 50 percent of our total loads be made up of DC consumption,” and “It’s accelerating even more than we’d expected.”

Solar panels produce DC and have to be coupled with an inverter to feed into the mains, costing easily 10-15% of the generated power in the process. [3, 4] So many householders, though mostly geeks at the moment, are asking themselves: why not use the DC directly in devices that use DC anyway?

Some server farms have also now started investing in DC distribution systems. Siemens is currently running an EU-supported research project called “DC Components and Grid” (DCC+G) [5]

Adding to the trend is the increasing prevalence of electric cars, most of which currently have transformers on board to charge on AC but can most quickly and efficiently be charged with DC electricity.

External AC to DC adapters (aka power bricks) have become a lot more efficient and smaller with the advent of switched-mode operation (they switch the mains power on and off thousands of times per second rather than using big coils to change voltages at set ratios). Since 2005 there is an internationally agreed efficiency rating scheme for external power supplies [6] resulting in roman numerals shown inconspicuously on the bricks, with older (but already switching) ones typically rated III or IV, and today’s most often carrying a V. VI or higher are reserved for future use – as pretty much all units sold today are V, there is an argument for a the VI or VII to make an entry.

Lighting has gone from tungsten GLS bulbs that ran on AC (though technically they operate as well on DC) via Halogens based on the same principle, to Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and LEDs. LEDs run on DC and require a transformer when connected to AC power. CFLs are a bit more complicated – they use a ballast (the plastic bottom bit of any regular CFL) that converts mains AC into DC and then back into much higher frequency AC (in the kHz range). The BRE study on DC distribution from 2002 (already mentioned above) found that savings of around 4% could be achieved by skipping the first part of that. [3]

High power home appliances (large: freezers, washing machines, dishwashers etc. as well as small: kettles, toasters, blenders etc.) still use AC without transformation. But more powerful and efficient DC motors are also being developed, and DC fridge-freezers exist.

In 2002, BRE was quite sceptical overall as to the potential of using DC power from solar panels directly. But the fully DC-powered energetically self-sufficient home may warrant a fresh look. Moshe Kinn wrote an MPhil Thesis at the University of Manchester in 2011 on the topic, which may be a good starting point. [7]

A big concern is about the possible length of cable with the higher transmission losses at lower voltages. But if it makes sense for a server farm, it will make sense for a home.

Sources

[1] «The ampere strikes back: How consumer electronics are taking over the world», Energy Saving Trust 2007

[2] [http://www.technologyreview.com/news/427504/edisons-revenge-the-rise-of-dc-power/ http://www.technologyreview.com/news/427504/edisons-revenge-the-rise-of-dc-power/]

[3] BRE for DTI 2002: The use of direct current output from PV systems in buildings

[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17277.pdf http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17277.pdf]

[4] [http://www.solar-facts.com/inverters/inverter-efficiency.php http://www.solar-facts.com/inverters/inverter-efficiency.php]

[5] [http://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news/2012/e_inno_1222_1.htm http://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news/2012/e_inno_1222_1.htm]

[6] International agreement document from 2005 showing draft implementation timelines, published by the Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA):

[http://www.psma.com/ul_files/forums/energy/July2005EPSInternationalEfficiencyMarkingProtocol_rev2.pdf http://www.psma.com/ul_files/forums/energy/July2005EPSInternationalEfficiencyMarkingProtocol_rev2.pdf]

The latest available version of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR implementation:

[http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/revisions/downloads/International_Efficiency_Marking_Protocol.pdf http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/revisions/downloads/International_Efficiency_Marking_Protocol.pdf]

[7] [http://www.dcisthefuture.org/papers/ http://www.dcisthefuture.org/papers/]

[[Category:Construction_techniques]]
[[Category:Roles_/_services]]
[[Category:Products_/_components]]
[[Category:Sustainability]]
[[Category:Property_development]]

User:Mathias

2014-02-17T23:05:48Z

Mathias:

Built environment, energy efficiency and renewable energy pro with a natural resource ecology background. Working on digital collaboration and outreach at BRE, before that co-ordinated lots of different working groups at the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Buildings and developed product certification criteria and responded to tricky customer enquiries for the Energy Saving Trust.

<div></div><div>skype: mathias.hessler</div><div>Twitter: @Mathi80</div><div>[http://lnkd.in/cd4YqQ lnkd.in/cd4YqQ]</div><div><br/></div>