Bringing Uninterrupted DC power to Indian homes: The Sasaram experience

The Uninterrupted Direct Current (UDC) solution has been developed by IIT Madras with a view to provide 24 X 7 power to all homes of India and alleviate power deficit situation prevalent in the country. This concept is being piloted and tested for practical viability in Sasaram, India. This paper discusses the necessary interventions needed at the sub-station end and the consumer end. The design details of the Brown-Out Feeder Energization Automation System (BOFEAS) commissioned in various feeders at Sasaram are also presented in this paper. The new efficient resonant switching power converter design has proven to be critical in developing Uninterrupted DC Power Module (UDPM), which is required to make in-home DC power line and DC power distribution possible. Various implementation challenges while executing UDC solution in Sasaram are also elaborated in this paper. Furthermore, the key role the local DISCOMs have to play in order to ensure UDC solution is implemented effectively is stressed upon. The learnings from Sasaram presented in this paper could be leveraged to ensure 24X7 good quality power supply across India.