Project SoLa BRISTOL migration from 'ecohome' to 'integrated homes'

Project SoLa BRISTOL is a Low Carbon Network Fund project, investigating the implications of investing in DC micro-grids with local battery storage within homes, schools and offices. This provides distributed storage for both the consumer and the local utility. This storage is monitored by the utility through their sub-stations and can be used to support the network when required. This DC micro-grid incorporates a low voltage DC network within the property, providing supplies for lighting and information technology devices. The battery system is charged either through the solar PV or the public supply. AC supplies are also derived from the storage system providing improved quality of supply and cost benefits for the customer through better use of the PV generated power and 'moving the time of supply use'. This paper describes the design and operation of the connected homes and compares it to the operation of battery sub-systems for the networked homes as developed for the stand alone 'ecohome'.