Is DC coming to rural electric systems?

Rural systems can expect rapid growth of dc loads, similar to that being experienced throughout industry. The nature and methods of serving loads will have characteristics unique to rural conditions. This paper outlines some foreseeable dc loads, sources of power to serve them, integration of dc sources such as solar photovoltaic systems, and in general, takes a broad view of how to provide energy to rural customers. Potential opportunities for improving performance and reducing losses are discussed. One possibility is that customers´ loads will accept wide swings in voltage while presenting a near-unity power factor load to the serving Utility. This paper is an outgrowth of work of the DC Task Team of the Industrial & Commercial Power Systems Society.