April 1, 2015: CEC Awards Bosch-Led Team $2.8 Million to Demonstrate DC Microgrid
Bosch DC Microgrid Said to Enable a Simpler Way to Achieve Net Zero Energy
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced a proposed award to Robert Bosch LLC for $2,817,566 to demonstrate a high-penetration, renewable-based microgrid. With this award, Bosch will demonstrate the effectiveness of its Direct-Current Building-Scale Microgrid Platform (Bosch DC microgrid) in an American Honda Motor Co. Inc. parts distribution center. The project is designed to illustrate the viability and benefits of a commercial-scale DC building grid compared with conventional AC-based grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems or microgrids.
Bosch said its DC microgrid project will provide a low-cost, highly energy-efficient solution in which the DC microgrid connects rooftop solar PV arrays to energy-efficient DC lighting, DC ventilation, and DC energy storage systems on a 380-volt DC bus to form a DC building grid. The approach allows commercial buildings to become net zero energy in a cost-effective manner.