Article published in ENLIT Europe, authored by Hugo Morais.
As Europe advances its energy transition, DC solutions are gaining renewed attention as a more efficient and flexible alternative to traditional AC systems
From integrating renewable generation and storage to powering electric mobility and next-generation buildings, DC technologies offer advantages in efficiency, reliability and compatibility with modern digital infrastructure.
For this reason, Europe is currently investing in collaborative innovation projects that move DC from concept to large-scale adoption. One such initiative is the Horizon Europe project Shift2DC, officially launched in December 2023. Running for 42 months until June 2027, the project brings together a strong consortium of 21 beneficiary partners and six associated partners across 13 European countries.
With applications spanning data centres, buildings, industry and ports, implemented across three European countries, Shift2DC aims to develop and test cutting-edge solutions, tools and devices that will redefine how DC is deployed in modern power systems.
Led by INESC ID, the project is now concluding its second year and setting the direction for the next phase: testing DC solutions in four demonstrator sites across Europe.
Moving into testing
Year one focused on delivering a comprehensive analysis of the DC market – identifying opportunities, addressing barriers and mapping the regulatory landscape. Initial project discussions on opportunities and evolution scenarios for DC technology, aligned with the EU’s climate and efficiency goals, not only met their objectives but also strengthened stakeholder partnerships.
These first-phase efforts established a solid foundation for the next stage of work, particularly in shaping the project’s use cases and regulatory frameworks.W
hen identifying the broad range of DC applications, the consortium also placed strong emphasis on end-user perspectives in both B2C and B2B contexts, ensuring that the proposed solutions are tailored to real-world needs and challenges.
In parallel, partners started developing both software and hardware solutions that will soon be deployed in the demonstrators.
Software applications are being developed to help engineers in the development and design of DC installations and in defining protection systems. At the research level, new libraries are being proposed to enable a more detailed analysis of transients. A new energy management system (EMS) tailored for DC grids will be developed and tested in the project’s demonstrators, bridging hardware and software applications.
Looking more into the hardware solutions, Shift2DC is proposing a wide range of prototypes starting with new cable specifically developed for DC applications, DC/DC charging stations, protections for low voltage grids, connectors and power distribution units (PDUs), among others.
As we close the second year, Shift2DC is gaining real momentum. After two years dedicated primarily to planning, the consortium is now preparing to test solutions in real-world environments.
Four demonstrators
Across four EU sites, Shift2DC will test a new generation of DC-powered systems that combine advanced simulation tools, innovative design and robust hardware. With diverse applications and the challenge of aligning with multiple national standards and regulations, the project’s development goals are ambitious but highly impactful.
Each Shift2DC demonstrator is tailored to test different DC applications, with dedicated strategies and specifications already in place:
- Data centres (Germany) – Located at Bachmann’s premises in Stuttgart, the demonstrator will be hosted in a container with two compartments, both supplied by the same DC distribution grid. Currently, the basic infrastructure within the container is being installed, while the integration of the devices and components developed within Shift2DC will start in the end of 2025.
- Commercial buildings (France) – A real-life commercial building will be equipped with DC infrastructure supplying PV systems, DC/DC EV charging stations, battery storage and traditional loads. The installation of the equipment will start in the end of 2025 and is planned to be operational in the first semester of 2026.
- Industry (Germany) – Hosted at Phoenix Contact’s headquarters, the industrial demonstrator will be split into two sites: one for MVDC-to-LVDC conversion and another showcasing an LVDC network in a production building. First simulation tests have been completed, devices are under development and local LVDC network planning is ongoing.
- Port digital twin (Portugal) – Implemented in Funchal on Madeira Island, this demonstrator will assess the potential of DC in ports through a digital twin of Funchal port. A metering system has already been installed to characterise consumption across facilities and power quality analysis has been performed. The architecture is being finalised and implementation of the digital twin is underway. The physical demonstrator should be launched in the beginning of 2026.
With almost two years gone, we are excited about the future and remain committed to driving innovation and contributing to the evolution of DC technology.
Shift2DC’s objective is not only to advance science and technology but also to deliver practical innovations with concrete market potential. What differentiates this project is its growing portfolio of DC solutions, specifically designed for deployment and ready to enter the market soon after the project concludes.
Follow Shift2DC’s work on its website, LinkedIn, X, and Bluesky. You can also explore videos of the project’s milestones on our YouTube channel INESCID Energy.
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