Interconnecting Neighbors’ Buildings: Advantages of Energy Districts Realized Through Private DC Lines

摘要

The ever-growing presence of high-power household electric appliances, as well as dispersed generation, is increasing power flows, both inside the end-user domain and in low voltage distribution networks. In this context, the customer electric system evolution towards DC schemes seems to be reasonable. The paper investigates the benefits achievable by creating a local energy district by interconnecting neighboring buildings through controlled DC links. Customers have the opportunity of locally exchanging energy according to both operating conditions and market criteria. A significant role of third-party companies in managing power flows among district participants is expected. In discussing main advantages of the proposed approach, both the end-users' perspective and the network operator viewpoint are considered.