Feasibility of implementing USB port outlets in commercial buildings

• Main Author: Ling, Irvin Soon Rong
• Other Authors: Tseng King Jet
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/67644
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The increasing popularity of smart grid technology which involves producing electricity at local buildings such as photovoltaic cells and wind energy have been producing DC power. In addition, the goal of the European Union (EU) has stated their goal of having a “net-zero-energy” by 2020 [1]. The goal is to have the energy sources of buildings should be from mostly renewable sources and sources produced on-site. While many studies have been conducted concerning integrating DC components into the DC grid system, there has been little done to study the efficiency of extra low voltage devices being powered up in the grid. Therefore a study of setting up a 5V DC grid powering up extra low voltage devices through USB ports was carried out. AC grids provide power to offices, however many loads in commercial buildings have loads of DC nature. The current practice to power these loads require conversion from AC-DC and DC to AC using rectifiers and inverters respectively [2]. This practice would lead to high conversion losses, therefore consolidating the supply for DC loads should be implemented in a DC grid to achieve better efficiency. Objective of the study was to find out the optimal conditions to charge a 3000mah lithium ion power bank by varying parameters. These include: distance from power supply, time taken to charge as well as power efficiency considerations. The study will be done in comparison with the usual charging process by a USB charger.