About the project

DC-POWER proposes a local medium voltage direct current distribution bus architecture for the local electricity distribution to power industrial applications in the Megawatt level. DC-POWER builds on previous work done on low voltage DC distribution grids —suited for lower power levels— and extends this into the medium voltage range. This architecture is envisioned to manage electric power distribution on industrial sites or buildings, powering high-power loads while smoothly integrating local energy generation and storage. This will be demonstrated in two operational pilots: in a data centre and in an industrial application.

Main objective is to show that medium voltage direct current grids for local electricity distribution operating at bipolar ±1.5 kV—with a significant local, fluctuating generation through RES—lead to at least a 50% reduction of distribution energy losses, at least a 50% reduction in the copper used in conductors, and at least a 50% reduction of down-time compared to a standard 400V 3-phase AC local distribution grid.

DC-POWER has outlined six specific objectives, designed to address the project key challenge:

• Objective 1: 50% reduction in energy losses
• Objective 2: Reduced space needed for power distribution
• Objective 3: 50% reduction in estimated down-time, due to reduced number and type of down-time causing components
• Objective 4: Cost reduction of the primary distribution microgrid
• Objective 5: Reduced energy imports from the main grid
• Objective 6: Increased power quality

To demonstrate the D3 bus system concept, DC-POWER will use 2 pilot sites incorporating large solar PV arrays:

- Hydrogen Electrolyser 

- Data Centre in Athens, Greece

Find out more about the DC-Power System