@ARTICLE{ iet:/content/journals/10.1049/oap-cired.2017.0998, author = {Ronald Niehoff}, author = {Freddie Kuipers}, author = {Harry Stokman}, keywords = {protection devices;electronic load changes;DC grid protection;energy adjustment;DC distribution grids;energy supply and demand management;direct current BV current routers;distribution grid congestion;local feed-in;energy transition;meshed network;smart breakers;failure sensitivity;grid operators;}, language = {English}, abstract = {As a result of the present energy transition, grid operators are facing problems caused from fast changes of (electronic) loads and their functionalities. With increasing usage of photovoltaic, electric vehicles, local storage, and de-centralised feed-in, the present AC distribution grid in the ‘last mile’ is not suitable anymore. Additional IT infrastructure for AC networks to manage demand and supply in a dynamic way is necessary. The latter is complex and with IT infrastructures, the failure sensitivity will increase. DC grids do not need additional IT infrastructure to solve congestion in the distribution grid. With a suitable DC grid, the energy supply and demand can be managed much better. With DC, it is also possible to create a meshed network, so that local feed-in of various sources can be managed as well. Naturally, DC introduces the necessity of additional and different type protection devices. Eaton's smart breakers and Direct Current B.V.'s current routers are specially designed for protecting DC grids.}, title = {Adjustment of available and needed energy and necessary additional functionalities in the distribution grid, caused by the energy transition, can better be solved by DC distribution grids}, journal = {CIRED - Open Access Proceedings Journal}, issue = {1}, volume = {2017}, year = {2017}, month = {October}, pages = {1558-1561(3)}, publisher ={Institution of Engineering and Technology}, copyright = {This is an open access article published by the IET under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)}, url = {https://digital-library.theiet.org/;jsessionid=1lpqs1e4mh981.x-iet-live-01content/journals/10.1049/oap-cired.2017.0998} }