Scalable DC Micro Grids provide cost effective electricity in regions without electric infrastructure

More than 1.2 billion people around the world live without electricity. The traditional utility approach to providing electricity using central generation, transmission and distribution is expensive. The World Bank estimates that it will take a trillion dollars through 2030 to solve this energy poverty. There is no economic model that will support this level of investment. DC Micro Grids are a cost effective way to provide the basic functions of electricity at a fraction of the cost of traditional electric delivery. This paper describes a scalable DC micro-grid. It is designed to be deployed in an individual residence/building. These buildings can then be interconnected into a self-sufficient larger DC grid. Long term, this larger DC grid holds the potential of being connected to existing utilities distribution systems. It includes renewable generation and energy storage assets which can provide sufficient electricity to power LED Lighting, cell phone charging, radio, TV, portable computers, water pumping and cooking. The DC micro-grid architecture, operation, performance and limitations are currently described and quantified. System cost is compared to traditional electric power delivery models in undeveloped regions.