| Abstract: | Since the present hierarchical power grid structure and AC interface are mature and rigid, a new electric power system architecture is proposed here to save the earth by making use of renewable energy sources. The architecture consists of a new concept and a historical technology, that is, a network of many “electric clusters” with a DC interface. The cluster includes dispersed electric power generators, electric appliances, electric storage, and “electric power routers.” The router is equipment to resourcefully route electrical energy between neighboring clusters and to manage electrical energy in the cluster. The transfers of electrical energy (between clusters and within clusters) and the generation of electricity from renewal energy sources (such as sunlight, wind, tides, and biogas) are intermittent and have very wide dynamic ranges, so that the interface must make use of DC. When we achieve an energy society with this architecture, we will be able to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and materials use. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 150(1): 18–25, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20039 |
