The daylight drive DC Microgrid that we use at LEF is a multilinear solar energy system that provides modern energy services for a fraction of the cost of typical AC-based off grid systems. It is a radically simple approach that is durable and reliable, but requires thinking about energy differently than we are used to.
There are several components to a DC Microgrid, which operate independently and can be installed incrementally, as resources allow.
1. Daylight drive, or direct use of DC electricity, to operate motors and other heavy loads, like cooking, when solar resources are available.
2. Non-electric storage, such as thermal mass and pressure tanks, to provide consistent services for applications such as rural water systems, refrigeration, etc.
3. Solar thermal systems for space heating and water heating in the context of cooperatively used, super-insulated buildings.
4 Durable nickel iron batteries to power lights and efficient electronics at night.
5. Biogas digesters to provide fuel for cooking, when the sun isn’t shining.
Solar energy is limited and intermittent, inherently different from bulk commodities like fossil fuels. Battery and inverter based systems, which aim to mimic fossil fuels, are expensive and require overbuilding because of their inefficiencies. Most require generators to prevent damage from deep cycling the batteries.
A DC Microgrid is different. The system teaches people to use energy wisely, by providing direct feedback about available energy resources. Systems weaken slowly, giving users time to adjust their behavior appropriately. While conservation and advance planning is required, there are no sudden or system-wide outages in a DC Microgrid.
At LEF we have been living with a DC Microgrid since 2012. We’ve never paid a power bill, and we don’t own a generator, because we don’t need one. When our neighbors lose power, we have lights, running water and a warm house. We’re so impressed with these systems that we’re ready to share them with the world.