Summary
The current electric energy distribution grid—based mainly on alternating current (AC)—has served
us for over a century. Transporting energy generated at large power stations over long distances to a
distributed network of consumers. It is starting to show its shortcomings due to a rise in local
generation with renewable energy sources and the essentially direct current (DC) nature of many
modern electric loads.
Modern grids need to deal with two-way energy flows, local intermittent generation from
renewables and local energy storage in stationary batteries. Medium voltage distribution microgrids
using DC instead of AC hold the promise to address the shortcomings of the AC main grid.
There are several initiatives in low voltage secondary distribution grids, and DC-POWER is expanding
their concepts into the medium voltage range. We propose the D 3 Bus, a bipolar DC bus operating at
±1.5 kV. Compared to standard 3-phase 400V AC distribution the D 3 Bus can reduce distribution
energy losses by over 90%, reduce downtime, equipment cost, and space requirements while
increasing sustainability.
DC-POWER demonstrates, tests and validates the D 3 Bus concept in two operational pilots: One
powering an industrial-scale hydrogen electrolyser stack at 2 MW power, and one powering a new
data centre with up to 500 kW installed IT power. Both pilots include sizeable solar PV arrays (200
kW), while the data centre also includes a directly coupled DC UPS solution.
In order to realise these pilots, DC-POWER develops several DC-DC converters, an AC active
frontend, as well as system protection components and a power/energy management system.
The D 3 Bus is intended as a first stepping-stone towards standardization of MVDC distribution
microgrids. It is such industry-wide standards that will enable and accelerate the adaptation of the
electricity distribution system towards the energy demands of the future and net zero.
us for over a century. Transporting energy generated at large power stations over long distances to a
distributed network of consumers. It is starting to show its shortcomings due to a rise in local
generation with renewable energy sources and the essentially direct current (DC) nature of many
modern electric loads.
Modern grids need to deal with two-way energy flows, local intermittent generation from
renewables and local energy storage in stationary batteries. Medium voltage distribution microgrids
using DC instead of AC hold the promise to address the shortcomings of the AC main grid.
There are several initiatives in low voltage secondary distribution grids, and DC-POWER is expanding
their concepts into the medium voltage range. We propose the D 3 Bus, a bipolar DC bus operating at
±1.5 kV. Compared to standard 3-phase 400V AC distribution the D 3 Bus can reduce distribution
energy losses by over 90%, reduce downtime, equipment cost, and space requirements while
increasing sustainability.
DC-POWER demonstrates, tests and validates the D 3 Bus concept in two operational pilots: One
powering an industrial-scale hydrogen electrolyser stack at 2 MW power, and one powering a new
data centre with up to 500 kW installed IT power. Both pilots include sizeable solar PV arrays (200
kW), while the data centre also includes a directly coupled DC UPS solution.
In order to realise these pilots, DC-POWER develops several DC-DC converters, an AC active
frontend, as well as system protection components and a power/energy management system.
The D 3 Bus is intended as a first stepping-stone towards standardization of MVDC distribution
microgrids. It is such industry-wide standards that will enable and accelerate the adaptation of the
electricity distribution system towards the energy demands of the future and net zero.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101135828 |
| Start date: | 01-01-2024 |
| End date: | 31-12-2027 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 8 714 871,00 Euro - 7 136 536,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
The current electric energy distribution grid—based mainly on alternating current (AC)—has servedus for over a century. Transporting energy generated at large power stations over long distances to a
distributed network of consumers. It is starting to show its shortcomings due to a rise in local
generation with renewable energy sources and the essentially direct current (DC) nature of many
modern electric loads.
Modern grids need to deal with two-way energy flows, local intermittent generation from
renewables and local energy storage in stationary batteries. Medium voltage distribution microgrids
using DC instead of AC hold the promise to address the shortcomings of the AC main grid.
There are several initiatives in low voltage secondary distribution grids, and DC-POWER is expanding
their concepts into the medium voltage range. We propose the D 3 Bus, a bipolar DC bus operating at
±1.5 kV. Compared to standard 3-phase 400V AC distribution the D 3 Bus can reduce distribution
energy losses by over 90%, reduce downtime, equipment cost, and space requirements while
increasing sustainability.
DC-POWER demonstrates, tests and validates the D 3 Bus concept in two operational pilots: One
powering an industrial-scale hydrogen electrolyser stack at 2 MW power, and one powering a new
data centre with up to 500 kW installed IT power. Both pilots include sizeable solar PV arrays (200
kW), while the data centre also includes a directly coupled DC UPS solution.
In order to realise these pilots, DC-POWER develops several DC-DC converters, an AC active
frontend, as well as system protection components and a power/energy management system.
The D 3 Bus is intended as a first stepping-stone towards standardization of MVDC distribution
microgrids. It is such industry-wide standards that will enable and accelerate the adaptation of the
electricity distribution system towards the energy demands of the future and net zero.
Status
SIGNEDCall topic
HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-01-11Update Date
12-03-2024
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Organisations
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| COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (CEA) (Coördinator)
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| AEG POWER SOLUTIONS GMBH
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| ARCEL
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| ENFASYS INGENIERIA SL
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| HOCHSCHULE OSTWESTFALEN-LIPPE
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| INSTITUT JOZEF STEFAN
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| MCPHY ENERGY ITALIA SOCIETA A RESPONSABILITA LIMITATA
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| McPhy Energy Deutschland GmbH
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| Secheron SA
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| TECH POWER ELECTRONICS
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| WIRTSCHAFT UND INFRASTRUKTUR GMBH & CO PLANUNGS KG