Every year on the last Friday of September, researchers across Europe leave their labs to connect with local communities. This year, Shift2DC joined the celebrations of European Researchers’ Night in Oeiras, Portugal, in the INESC-ID stand alongside SOLAR MOVE, another Horizon Europe Project led by the Sustainable Power Systems (SPS) Group from INESC ID.
Through an interactive activity centered around a custom LEGO replica of the Portuguese Shift2DC Demonstrator at the Port of Funchal, INESC-ID team members – Alexandre Bento, Diogo Guerreiro, Duarte Domingues, Luís Fernandes, Manuel Neto and Marcelo Forte – showcased the project’s progress. They engaged visitors by explaining how Shift2DC is testing direct current (DC) solutions to drive the electrification of Funchal Port.
Throughout the evening, the Project LEGO attracted visitors to the booth, allowing the team to share what is being implemented under the Project Portuguese Demo but also under the project’s four real world Demonstrators.
Real-World Impact: From AC to DC
The Shift2DC real-world pilot at the Port of Funchal showcases the advantages of transitioning from Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC) distribution. Through this demonstrator, the project aims to prove that DC is more efficient and cost-effective than AC for managing renewable energy and storage.
By utilizing a Digital Twin of the Funchal Port for real-time load estimation and a physical DC microgrid – featuring solar panels and EV charging – the project is preparing the port for 2030 EU regulations. These regulations will require docked ships to switch off their combustion engines and plug into the shore-side grid (Onshore Power Supply).
The Port of Funchal is not only a popular tourist destination but also the hub of Madeira’s maritime economy, accommodating cruise terminals, ferries, and naval vessels. On peak days, it can host up to four cruise ships simultaneously, creating a massive surge in energy demand.
The Shift2DC Port Demonstrator addresses this by testing DC solutions that manage high-load scenarios without disrupting the local grid, ensuring a more resilient future for maritime hubs.
Once again, the European Researchers’ Night proved to be a fantastic opportunity to bring science closer to citizens.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand, and we hope to see you next year!
Read the INESC ID article here.