i3DC

On November 27, we had a pleasure to organize the 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐂 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩. This international workshop series was established by Dmitri Vinnikov in 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 with the aim of connecting the academia and industry to facilitate the wide-scale adoption of the 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐂 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐬. This year, the focus was on 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 with the help of #DCtechnology-ies. The tight agenda included 𝟏𝟕 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 from industry and academia ranging from the energy performance challenges of the AC-fed residential buildings, their impact on the utility grid and shift towards 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 (𝐙𝐄𝐁) up to implementation and protection challenges of the residential DC microgrids. The workshop concluded with an exciting session dedicated to presentation of 𝐃𝐂 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐬 were able to learn about the unique DC Experience Centers and DC technology validation test sites driven by the i3DC and Power Electronics Group of TalTech (Estonia), DC Systems in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and DC Opportunities in Delft (the Netherlands). Moreover, there are many DC innovation happening nowadays in the industry – the highlights were provided by the representatives of Schneider Electric, Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, Elektrilevi, Phoenix Contact, Cisco, BL!XT, and Daikin Europe. It was very interesting to learn about the advantages and application challenges of the DC technologies in the defence- and mil-tech – the useful insights were presented by the 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 CAFA Tech. At the end of the workshop the attendees had an opportunity to visit the TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology Residential DC Innovation Hub and familiarize with the state-of-the-art 𝐃𝐂 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐄, 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄, 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 developed by the Power Electronics Group of TalTech. We would like to thank our partner Current/OS Foundation and the speakers - Dmitri Vinnikov, Helen Sooväli-Sepping, Jarek Kurnitski, Andrei Blinov, Alexander Mazikas, Marc Schreurs, Stephan Rupp, Hugo Morais, Ahmad Makkieh (PhD, MIET), Panos Kolios, Laurens Mackay, Daniel Öhlander, Holger Krings, Tanel Järvet, Mikk Kruusalu, Edivan Laercio Carvalho, John Monaghan, and Andrii Chub - for your invaluable contribution to the success of this incredible event! 𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐃𝐂-𝐟𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫!

Last week, Dmitri Vinnikov and Andrii Chub delivered a series of keynotes on 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 and energy communities at three Sri Lankan universities: University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Kelaniya, and SLTC Research University. They provided a comprehensive overview of the 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐃𝐂) technologies and main principles of 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Moreover, they discussed the design and implementation challenges of the power electronic systems for residential #directcurrent nanogrids and introduced a few innovative #DCtechnology-ies (𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐄, 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤) recently developed by Power Electronics Group of TalTech. They also presented the mission and vision of the 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐂 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢³𝐃𝐂 and activities with the TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐂 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐛. Being the DC ambassadors promoting 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐃𝐂 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 Dmitri and Andrii also introduced the activities of a Current/OS Foundation, which promotes the adoption and further develops an 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 standard system for #directcurrent distribution to improve the resilience, sustainability, and safety of energy distribution. 

📢📅 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 📅📢 Dear Network, We are thrilled to share the final program of the Fifth Estonian DC Innovation Workshop, which will be held in the TalTech NRG Building (room NRG-226), Ehitajate tee 5/10, Tallinn, Estonia, in cooperation with Current/OS Foundation: https://lnkd.in/eESAU3Si Due to high demand, we will stream the vent online in ZOOM. Please use your chance to register for the event here ASAP: https://lnkd.in/ejSECzha The ZOOM link will be shared with registered participants 1 week before the event.

Let us introduce the MERGE technology developed by Power Electronics Group of TalTech, a Smart Energy Router designed to provide DC power for your building! Specifically designed to integrate DC-powered buildings into AC utility grid, MERGE redefines energy efficiency and enables numerous AC and DC grid services to make your home energy efficient and grid friendly, with advanced functionalities like phase balancing, power factor correction, and possible USB PD interface. Why Choose MERGE? 1.     Increase self-consumption – Designed to smart interaction with the AC grid, the MERGE converter improves prosumers' self-consumption by maximizing the use of on-site generated energy. By efficiently managing energy flows, it minimizes the need to export excess power, promoting greater energy independence and optimizing overall system performance. 2.     Ancillary services support, including active phase balancing – Our three-phase solution features individual phase control, offering the flexibility to support the AC grid. This advanced control capability ensures precise power balancing by independently managing each phase, providing tailored support and maintaining grid stability. 3.     DC Grid Forming – Being designed according to the Current/OS protocols, the MERGE converter operates implements droop control, serving as a DC grid forming converter, enabling up to 30% energy savings for DC-powered buildings compared to conventional AC systems. 4.     Power Factor Correction – It ensures power factor correction above 0.98 across the full operating range, delivering high power quality and minimizing energy losses by eliminating reactive power. 5.     Galvanic isolation – The MERGE converter's multiple isolation stages create a secure interface for end-users, enhancing safety. This also simplifies protection by effectively isolating faults between the AC and DC grids. Currently in its final testing stages, MERGE is preparing for a live demonstration of its full potential. Join us to experience this technology firsthand at the Fifth Estonian DC Innovation Workshop on November 27, 2024, where you will see MERGE working in a real environment. Hurry up to register by November 11: https://lnkd.in/e2Fttm5D Workshop Details: Date: November 27, 2024 Location: TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology Residential DC Innovation Hub, NRG Building (Room NRG-226) #DCBuildings #Microgrid #PowerElectronics #Innovation #GridIntegration

🚀 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 – 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐂 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐝 Let us introduce you the 𝐅ractional p𝐎we𝐑 𝐂onv𝐄rter (𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄) technology that offers a new way for efficient integration of high-voltage batteries into DC microgrids. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄? 🧿 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 – The FORCE technology differs from conventional full-power converter technologies because it processes only a fraction of the total power, making it an ultra-efficient solution. The key feature of the FORCE is that the point at which a conventional full-power converter achieves its highest efficiency is the starting efficiency of the FORCE, which offers an ultimate efficiency of up to 99.5%. 🛠️ 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 – The FORCE technology employs components rated for a fraction of the full power, enabling compact converter design. Therefore, the FORCE is the perfect solution for applications where space and budget are important, offering high power density at a comparatively low cost. ⚙️ 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 – The patented control ensures soft-switching across its entire operational range, significantly enhancing both performance and efficiency. 🤝 𝐃𝐂 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 – FORCE implements flexible 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐩 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥, soft start, and other provisions making it fully compatible with the Current/OS DC microgrid protocol. 💥𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – FORCE offers embedded protection against short-circuit and open-circuit faults. This allows to avoid additional protective devices and, consequently, lowers the BOM cost of the battery energy storage and other systems requiring protection. 🔋 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝-𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐋𝐅𝐏 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 – This technology brings new life to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries by enabling their second-life use in DC residential building applications. By reutilizing these batteries, which may no longer be suitable for their original purpose, the FORCE helps maximize the value of existing resources while significantly reducing waste. The 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄 technology is continuously tested at the TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐂 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐛, where it is connected to the live DC microgrid for real-time evaluation. This testing has confirmed rapid response times and robust performance, even under dynamic conditions with droop control. We are excited to invite you to the 𝐅𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐂 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 on November 27, 2024, where you can observe 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 operating in the real-time within a DC microgrid. Hurry up to register by November 11: https://lnkd.in/e2Fttm5D #i3DC #powerelectronics #DCTechnology #directcurrent

Why is it essential to have an energy management system in your DC home microgrid? There are several reasons to implement such a system. 🔋ESS Management: ESS management is critical to the microgrid's proper operation. Maximizing self-consumption cannot be achieved without effective ESS utilization. With fixed linear droop control, ESS management will not be possible. Droop curves can be changed based on ESS attributes to ensure proper ESS management. ESS management can also deliver the necessary power under abnormal conditions. 💡Load Management: Load management is a must as renewable resources are sporadic. When there is less renewable generation and high electricity prices, the EMS can reduce the non-important/controllable load. Load management can also shift loads during abnormal conditions. 📈Telemetry and Logging: One of the EMS's important functions is logging and telemetry, which can help keep track of generation and consumption while also detecting anomalies. ⛅Forecasting: Using historical data, EMS can estimate future energy generation and demand, allowing for more efficient delivery of energy and waste reduction. 🔌Ancillary Services: To improve overall grid stability, EMS can offer ancillary services to the main grid, including voltage support and frequency regulation. Moreover, the EMS allows the user to sell surplus electricity to the market; with proper implementation, the system may also manage arbitrage autonomously, ensuring that trading occurs at the best market price. TalTech DC Residential Innovation Hub is developing and testing technologies to incorporate into your future DC residence. Please stay tuned for more updates on our work on DC residential systems.

📢📅 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 📅📢 The Fifth Estonian DC Innovation Workshop will be held in the TalTech NRG Building (room NRG-226), Ehitajate tee 5/10, Tallinn, Estonia, in cooperation with Current/OS Foundation. This edition will span over half a day on November 27, starting from 13:00. The technical program includes representatives of 8 countries who will deliver 17 presentations covering different topics of DC Technology. Presentations from the industry will dominate the technical program. The fifth workshop is dedicated to "Boosting Energy Efficiency, Security & Resilience." This event aims to create an engaging atmosphere for exchanging ideas and provide a coherent multidisciplinary outlook on the future of energy efficiency and the advantages of adopting DC systems. Event program: https://lnkd.in/eeugBPYT You can register for the event here: https://lnkd.in/ejSECzha

We are thrilled to share that 𝐢𝟑𝐃𝐂 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 has officially received a patented 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 in the European Union. This important milestone will help us in our mission to advance the residential #DCmicrogrid technology, push forward the innovation, and accelerate the transition towards highly energy-efficient and decarbonized buildings and neighborhoods. Let's #DCfy the world together!

We are proud to inform you that this Monday was the official kick-off of the educational committee within Current/OS foundation. Chaired by Dmitri Vinnikov, a leader of Power Electronics Group of TalTech, it became one of the specialized official committees devoted to the aspects of career development, training, educational materials and popularization of DC in the scientific domain. The committee co-chair Joao Martins gave a presentation about the general goals of the committee and its near-term plans. In addition, a survey was launched among the participants to find out the expectations from the work of the committee and collaboration areas. We were very excited to include a discussion about the answers in the first workshop of the Education Committee on the following day. We thank all the participants, particularly Ponniah Sankarakumar for their valuable comments and willingness to cooperate! Furthermore, we would like to thank Prashant Kurup, Yannick Neyret and the rest of the team for organizing the event and giving the opportunity to present to the audience the slides about ICDCM 2025 - 7th IEEE International Conference on DC Microgrids, June 4-6, 2025, Tallinn, Estonia!   Looking forward to fruitful work and a remarkable impact on #DCTechnology!

Dear Network, We are pleased to announce the 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐂 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩. It will take place on November 27, 2024, in Tallinn, Estonia. After four successful events, we expect even greater success this year. We just wanted to let you know that registration will open soon, stay tuned. 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 On the way to #EnergyTransition, the #DirectCurrent (DC) microgrids are long expected to shift the energy supply paradigm, similar to trends in more electric aircrafts and ships. Residential #DCmicrogrid-s offer enhanced energy supply security and demand-side management, and significantly increase the energy performance of buildings. However, the main limitation of the wide adoption of DC microgrids is the need for mature technologies, established standards, and market-ready power electronic systems for the efficient integration and interaction of the microgrid components. The main aim of this workshop is to 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 from academia and industry, market practitioners, and policymakers to present and discuss the latest developments and innovation potential of residential and industrial DC microgrids. The 5th workshop will be focused on #DCTechnology-ies, power electronic systems and devices, as well as control and protection of residential and industrial #DCmicrogrids, their impact on the utility grids, and resulting enhancements in energy efficiency, security and resilience. This event is organized by the i3DC initiative, a non-profit venture of TalTech aimed at increasing awareness, pushing forward innovation, and accelerating the industrial uptake of the residential DC microgrid technology.