Field test environment for LVDC distribution — Implementation experiences

Low-Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) distribution network is a novel approach to the LV distribution. This paper presents the practical experiences from the implementation of a field environment research platform for ±750 V LVDC electricity distribution system in actual distribution network environment. The paper illustrates the main design of the field test environment as well as the challenges encountered during the construction and commission of the platform. The main objectives in the work have been to realise a real environment test bed for the development of the LVDC technology for public electricity distribution (utility networks), to determine the major gaps in the national standardisation and in the availability of components, and to gain knowledge of the different phases of the implementation process itself.