Standards for the Introduction of Accessible DC Power in Buildings

With the increasing need for the local generation of renewable energy that use DC sources, along with load demands changing to low wattage DC electronics, LED lights and DC motors in appliances, the ongoing suitability of the AC distribution grid must be challenged. Furthermore, alternatives to the unnecessarily hazardous in-home AC voltages must be considered. Establishing DC micro-grids can make the world a safer, more sustainable place to live and provide a framework for further advances to be made toward a more efficient and renewably compatible world. Currently, a lack of standards exists relating to the configurations of DC plugs, receptacles and nominal voltage levels, preventing manufacturers and consumers from being able to plug DC electronics and appliances directly into a DC source like a renewable energy system or a micro-grid. Standards to regulate the configurations and power output of DC plugs and receptacles would introduce a compatibility between these DC sources and the expanding prevalence of DC loads. The reception of these standards could influence the locally generated renewable energy market, which could lead to the development of more sustainable DC micro-grids able to power all DC loads from cell phones to electric vehicles.