Comparison of Environmental Impacts of AC, DC and Mixed Distribution Networks

The electrification growth has led to an increasing number of DC devices, such as PV panels and electric vehicle chargers. This revives the option of a DC distribution network, or rather mixed AC-DC network. The comparison between such alternatives needs to take into account the environmental impacts associated with the manufacture of specific power electronics devices. This article proposes a comparison of the fabrication impacts and losses of three technical choices for low-voltage electrical grids: DC, AC and mixed AC/DC. A case study is chosen based on typical mixed consumer-width distributed energy sources. Simulations are performed over 20-year period for each of the three architectures. This study finds that a mixed topology can be a promising alternative to traditional AC grids, as it reduces converter impacts, especially for short cable lengths. However, the optimal architecture for a given system can vary depending on factors such as nominal power, cable length, and consumption profile. To explore this variability, a detailed sensitivity analysis is performed.