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The birth of electricity witnessed "the battle of currents" between AC and DC as a medium of power transfer. AC won the battle in the first place because of its ability to transform voltage levels. However, with the development of power electronic converters (PECs), DC is striking back. Most of the electronic loads in our conventional AC-based homes are DC by nature. Moreover, the modern concept of energy-efficient variable speed drive (VSD) based loads, i.e. DC-inverter based air-conditioners and refrigerators, require a DC link for their operation. The driving component of all such loads is the PEC. The operational efficiency of PECs depends on the loading which varies throughout the day. This paper presents a mathematical model based on a bottom-up approach to the comparative efficiency analysis of AC and DC distribution systems considering daily load variation. Two topologies are presented where AC and DC distribution systems are compared in terms of efficiency. The first topology (T1) defines a separate/independent converter for each load, whereas in the second topology (T2) loads of a particular class are lumped and driven by a single converter. The results present DC distribution better than AC distribution with an efficiency advantage of 2.28% and 1.57% for T1 and T2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating prevalence of rooftop solar PVs and DC powered home appliances are the driving forces for the research in the field of DC distribution at residential level. The current research work presents comparative analyses of AC and DC distribution systems considering various scenarios for the specific purpose of efficiency/energy savings. A modern Bakersfield CA, USA home is considered for the analyses. The loads are classified according to the power demand. Rooftop solar PVs are also included in each residential building. Mathematical equations are devised for the efficiency analysis of residential buildings powered with AC as well as DC. The results reveal strong dependence of the efficiency values on the utilization/types of loads, efficiencies of the power electronic converters (PECs), solar capacity and seasonal conditions, as a function of the time of day. It is concluded that AC system presents better efficiency values as compared to the DC counterpart except during the time periods when solar power is available and when the penetration of variable speed drive (VSD) based loads is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]