DC Microgrid for Robotic Manufacturing – field demonstration and laboratory experience.

Abstract

Paper present real manufacturing application based approach to DC based power supply and infrastructure verification. Alternative solutions for improved management of power flows and integration of renewable energy sources has become an interesting topic and discussions of alternative DC related power infrastructure with respect to existing technology. Since modern manufacturing solutions implement industrial robot manipulators more detailed evaluation of possible opportunities regarding DC based supply has been introduced. Typical distribution of units and respective electrical power flows present need for power measurement equipment with multipoint functionality experiments. Obtained practical measurement results enable evaluation of DC based energy distribution system potential compared to existing solution and future operation scenarios including energy storage and buffering approaches. Implementation of single AC/DC converter unit has been evaluated in laboratory conditions with respect to power quality within DC distribution link.