Direct Current (DC) electric power is a new transformative technology that has the potential to boost economic growth, encourage creativity, expand R&D opportunities, build employment, and advance environmental sustainability all at the same time.
DC technologies and applications have the potential to increase energy efficiency, power quality, and reliability, and align with renewable and clean energy production.
Why DC Would Take Over From AC
Because of the seven reasons mentioned below, DC power is beginning to replace AC as a global norm for electricity distribution infrastructure in many applications.
The energy efficiency of DC power is substantially higher than that of AC power.
DC motors and appliances are more efficient and have better power-to-size ratios.
LED lighting (DC-based) is up to 75% more effective than incandescent lighting.
Recent advancements in DC converter technology have resulted in increased performance, allowing for better electricity distribution over long distances.
Integration of energy storage is improved. To maximize the capacity utilization of renewable energy sources, energy storage is needed. The majority of energy storage technologies are DC-based (mostly in the form of batteries), allowing for increased integration efficiencies and lower operating costs.
Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are naturally compatible with DC. These renewable sources produce power on demand (when the sun shines or the wind blows), necessitating the use of storage (batteries) in some applications to ensure a consistent supply, as well as a power conversion interface to the grid. Since solar PV and batteries are both DC energy sources, DC is a more naturally compatible interface.
Microgrids based on DC and hybrid AC/DC are being created. Micro-grid applications can combine local power generation with the main power grid to effectively serve specified end-use loads, improve reliability, especially during disturbance event conditions, and provide opportunities to buy and sell (net metering) power to lower consumer energy costs.
DC power is used to power electronic devices. As AC power is converted to DC power, it loses between 5% and 20% of its power. The growing use of electronic equipment necessitates the use of DC electricity. Eliminating these AC to DC conversion losses would become ever more important, motivating a transition to DC power and necessitating advancements in new types of power conversion technologies.
New technologies allow DC power generation that is safe, localized, and distributed. For renewable, local power generation, the solar, wind, second-generation clean biomass, and advanced, low-cost natural gas fuel cell designs are perfect. DC infrastructure would aid in further integrating such services into the grid, as well as improving their overall economic and environmental value proposition.
New cities and villages are being planned in China and Europe that will be entirely DC-powered. Full DC system principles and operation are being considered in many emerging parts of the world in green-field applications, from resource and distribution networks to end-use applications. There are many benefits of using DC infrastructural when we look to electrify more remote areas of the globe.
Final Thought,
It should be noted that not all electronic devices, modules, and circuits depend solely on DC power, but also on AC power. Yes, logic circuits and ICs (Integrated Circuits) depend solely on DC power. In short, whether we use AC or DC depends on the needs and intent of the electronic circuit.