Measurement Setup for a DC Power Reference for Electricity Meter Calibration

In recent years, low-voltage DC (LVDC) grids allow for a more efficient and sustainable integration of renewable energy sources. In order to facilitate such transition, though, several normative and metrological aspects need to be addressed. In particular, the calibration and type-testing of DC power and energy meters shall rely on traceable reference systems, capable of assessing the meters’ performance in nominal and distorted conditions. This represents a preliminary yet crucial step towards the actual deployment of LVDC grids in modern power systems. In this paper, we present the design of a DC power reference system and discuss the main implementation challenges. In this regard, we identify the most significant uncertainty sources and propose ad hoc measurement procedures and hardware solutions to minimize their contributions.