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RE/SOURCED PILOT: PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF A DC MICROGRID

Ward Ysebie1; Hakim Azaioud2; Brecht Caers3; Jan Desmet4

Publisher
Zenodo
DOI
10.5281/zenodo.17435290
Repository
zenodo.org
Language
en

Abstract

The RE/SOURCED project, part of the Urban Innovative Actions initiative in Zwevegem, Belgium, aims to develop a circular, medium-sized, and self-sufficient energy system. This is part of the redevelopment of the Transfo site, a former coal-fired power station, that is now a 10-hectare mixed-use area. Central to the project is the implementation of a low-voltage direct current (LVDC) microgrid that optimizes energy generation, storage, and consumption while adhering to circular economy principles, including material reuse and energy efficiency. The microgrid features a radial DC backbone connected to the public AC grid via a central bidirectional inverter. It is the first DC grid managed by a public distribution system operator in Belgium. Energy is sourced from photovoltaic installations and a combined heat and power plant, stored in a stationary battery, and consumed by electric vehicle chargers or injected into the AC grid. A central energy management system monitors and optimizes energy flows. Key challenges include lacking DC-specific standards, underdeveloped protection devices, capacitive behaviour and addressing corrosive leakage currents. By addressing these challenges, the RE/SOURCED project provides a practical demonstration of the potential for DC microgrids in achieving sustainable urban energy systems.

Full text

RE / SOURCED PILOT Practical implementation of a DC microgrid INTRODUCTION What? A public LVDC microgrid connects renewable energy, storage & loads Why DC? Less AC/DC conversions means overall higher system effi ciency Where? Transfo site, a former coal power Station in Zwevegem, Belgium Innovation? The fi rst Belgian public LVDC grid operated by the local DSO, Fluvius SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE • 700 V DC backbone • 500 kVA AC/DC inverter consisting of 20 stacked CE+T Stabiliti modules • 400 kWp PV – 306 kWh BESS – 236 kW EV – 40 kWe CHP • Docking station: 80 kW DC testing facility • Central EMS optimizes self consumption, peak shaving and DAH prices Technical challenges & solutions A | OPERATING VOLTAGE Based on IEC TR63282, 700 V DC was selected to balance effi ciency and compatibility with commercially available components. B | CABLE SELECTION Standard AC cables (EAXeVB 4G150) repurposed for DC, with improved thermal performance due to double neutral conductor. C | GROUNDING TN-S system to avoid corrosion by DC stray current and ensure safety. D | PROTECTION STRATEGY Fuses and switches currently, SSCB not yet viable. 48 Ward Ysebie Brecht Caers Hakim Azaioud Jan Desmet Ghent University (EnSy/Lemcko) Kortrijk, Belgium ICDCM 2025 - Paper No: 48 AC DC + - • Beperking van conversieverliezen DC/AC • Betere netcontrole dankzij stuurbare omvormers • Materiaalbesparing: kleinere kabeldiameter voor zelfde vermogen Dimensionering van hernieuwbare energiebronnen Waarom DC? PV Wind WKK 420 kW 100 kW 250 kW Productie Opslag MS cabine Azaioud H, Claeys R, Knockaert J, Vandevelde L, Desmet J. A Low-Voltage DC Backbone with Aggregated RES and BESS: Benefits Compared to a Traditional Low-Voltage AC System. Energies. 2021; 14(5):1420. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14051420 Samengevat: 1. Een lokale hernieuwbare energiegemeenschap 2. Een DC backbone die productie en opslag met elkaar verbindt 3. Circulaire aanbestedingsprincipes samen voor #sterkgroeien RE/SOURCED Een hernieuwbare energiegemeenschap opgebouwd rond een centrale DC backbone - Brecht Caers + 0 0PE paper n° LinkedIn Ward Ysebie, MSc ward.[email protected] 7th International Conference on DC Microgrids IEEE - Tallinn 2025 FUTURE WORK •Short circuit tests: validate DC network protection and develop new fault current calculation methods. •Validation of dynamic and cyclic reconfi guration algorithms for modular AC/DC inverters. •Testing EMS algorithms in the context of fl exibility services and grid balancing markets. •Analysis of reliability and effi ciency gains within the DC network. CHP 40 kWe + 78 kWth PV1 22 kWp PV2 360 kWp + EV chargers 236 kW PV3 30 kWp PV4 tbd DC docking station 80 kW Point of Common Coupling (PCC) + inverters 500 kVA + BESS 306 kWh LEGEND Storage Renewable energy Connection to distribution grid (PCC) DC grid 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 3 1 2 4 5 6 7