Celebrating ODCA’s 2nd Anniversary: Growth, Innovation, and Impact

Founded to support and guide the adoption of direct current (DC) in various industries, ODCA has already seen remarkable expansion in membership, influence, and industry presence. Here’s a closer look at some of the developments over the past two years.

Membership Growth and Community Engagement

ODCA’s mmbership has more than doubled, expanding from 33 to 72 active members. This rapid growth represents the increasing recognition of DC technology’s potential and value. Our members include manufacturers, researchers, end users, and technology leaders, all committed to creating an open, sustainable DC ecosystem. Through ongoing workshops, working groups, and collaborative projects, our members share insights, solve challenges, and drive innovation together.

Strengthened Working Groups

ODCA members currently work in five dedicated working groups—Open Technology, Research, Use Cases, Communication, and Partner Management. These groups are central to ODCA’s mission, each focusing on a core area that supports the development, adoption, and practical application of DC technology. The working groups serve as incubators for innovation, creating foundational guidelines that shape the industry.

Growing Team and Organizational Development

From our early days with one part-time role, ODCA has expanded its team to include two full-time and two part-time staff members. This growth allows us to take on larger projects, increase member support, and deepen our industry reach. And as ODCA continues to scale, we’re excited to keep growing and adding new talents to our team!

Influencing Industry Standards

ODCA has made substantial contributions to the establishment of industry standards, ensuring safe and reliable DC implementation across various sectors. As a Liaison A Member of IEC SyC LVDC (System Committee on Low Voltage Direct Current and Low Voltage Direct Current for Electricity Access), ODCA actively collaborates with international standardization bodies to shape guidelines that promote global DC adoption. In this context, the ODCA, has already been able to implement adjustments to the installation rules and semiconductor breaker standard. Furthermore, we’ve established close collaboration with DKE and through our work with UL on an outline of investigation for DC microgrids, ODCA is making strides in setting the standard for DC technology worldwide.

International Presence and Industry Events

In the past two years, ODCA has been active at major conferences and fairs around the world, including Hannover Fair and SPS Fair in Nuremberg as well as Industrial Automation Show in Shanghai and International Conference on DC Microgrids (ICDCM). These appearances have allowed us to connect with industry leaders, present the advantages of DC technology, and showcase the expertise of our members and working groups.

System Description

One of our proudest accomplishments has been the publication of our comprehensive System Description, a document that distills seven years of insights from over 100 industry experts. This resource is openly available to the public and provides a robust foundation for understanding the DC ecosystem and making informed decisions on its implementation: Updated system concept for DC-INDUSTRIE2 published. It will be published as VDE SPEC 90037 soon.

European Union Technology Group Participation

ODCA is also an active contributor to the EU’s Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) SET Plan, helping shape the European energy landscape. Our role in this group allows us to share expertise and advance technology policies that promote sustainable, efficient energy solutions.

Looking to the Future

As we celebrate this anniversary, we are thrilled to see the momentum building around DC technologies. ODCA is committed to continuing its journey of growth, collaboration, and innovation. With the dedication of our members, partners, board, and staff, we look forward to making an even greater impact in the years to come.

Thank you to everyone who has supported ODCA’s vision. Here’s to many more years of progress and partnership!