Project

Design and Optimization of Sustainable Infrastructure with Direct Current Backbones

Acronym
DOSI-DC
Code
F2025/IOF-StarTT/012
Duration
15 July 2025 → 14 July 2027
Funding
Regional and community funding: Industrial Research Fund
Promotor
Research disciplines
  • Engineering and technology
    • Modelling not elsewhere classified
    • Electrical energy production and distribution
    • Electrical Power Engineering not elsewhere classified
    • Energy generation, conversion and storage engineering not elsewehere classified
Keywords
cable sizing overcurrent protection Direct Current grids power electronic converters short circuit currents
 
Project description

The integration of renewable energy (RE) and electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the energy transition primarily occurs through AC/DC converters, as RE and EVs fundamentally operate on DC, while the traditional grid operates on AC. Additionally, there is a need for grid reinforcement to increase hosting capacity. DC grids offer a forward-looking approach, are more efficient, and lead to cost savings. The first DC grid in Flanders was realized through the EU project RE/SOURCED. Despite valuable insights gained from research and this pilot project, obstacles remain. The lack of standardization and design methodologies for DC grids hinders further development. Their implementation requires a specific design approach, fundamentally different from AC grids. This project aims to accelerate the rollout of DC grids by developing software that integrates best-practice guidelines, based on validated models from the RE/SOURCED. DC grid.