The ODCA was founded in November 2022 as the successor to DC-INDUSTRIE2. To what extent has the focus changed?

Dr. Hartwig Stammberger: In the beginning, it was about getting the alliance 'up and running' We were able to take over a lot of content from our predecessor project DC-Industry and get started with it. Now we are in working mode. This means that several working groups - Standardization, Communication, Use Cases and Research - have started their work. A lot of things are being worked on internally before we take them to the outside world. One of the visible changes is that we are broadening our focus and moving away from purely industrial applications to include data centers, charging infrastructure and residential construction.

Does 'Think Big' also apply in this context?

Yes, of course it does! That is one of the main tasks of the Open DC Alliance. We now have members from eight countries. One focus of the ODCA's work is internationalization. Although we are rooted in Germany, we see a major focus on internationalization. We still see a lot of potential for DC technology in the Asian and American markets in particular.

What milestones have you achieved so far?

The ODCA was officially founded at the end of 2022 and began its work in January 2023. That means we have been actively working for just under a year. We've already achieved a lot since then. Hannover Messe 2023 brought us enormous attention and new members. We have also held two general meetings in the meantime. Last but not least, we are now represented internationally - for example in the EU Commission's 'Low-Voltage DC Strategy Energy Technology' group, SET Plan LVDC for short, and in standardization with a paper on DC for semiconductor circuit breakers - together with our colleagues from 'Current/OS', by the way.

Is the concept already being used in reality?

Yes, Schaltbau, one of our founding members, opened its new production, logistics and development site in Velden, Lower Bavaria, in mid-September. By implementing the DC-INDUSTRIE concept - to name just one example - the connected load of the high-bay warehouse was reduced by 85 percent. This reduces the load on the supply network and lowers running costs.

So the technology is there. What about standardization?

I have already mentioned the work on semiconductor circuit-breakers - this will be a new IEC 60947-10 standard, which is relevant for DC applications. Representatives of ODCA members are also involved in many other committees. We have also started a process for ODCA to be registered as a liaison partner of the IEC.

The ODCA focuses on the low-voltage sector. Are there any plans to extend the concept to the medium-voltage range?

We are currently focusing on low voltage, that is correct; this has the greatest scope. However, the principles of direct current technology are independent of the voltage range and can therefore be transferred to medium voltage.

What will you be showing at SPS 2023?

We have a stand in the ZVEI area and will be presenting the advantages of DC technology - i.e. efficiency in terms of resources, energy and peak power. In a presentation on the system concept recommended by the ODCA, which serves as the basis for future standards and is already being used in many DC applications. It will show how direct current in the low-voltage range supports the energy transition and what role the ODCA plays in this.

The ODCA at the SPS 2023: Hall 3, Stand 331

Event tip
Lecture: How direct current in the low-voltage range supports the energy transition Where? Forum Hall 8, Stand 410, and online When? 9:30 a.m.