• Direct Current makes an important contribution to a sucessful energy transition
• ODCA directly follows DC-INDUSTRIE2 research project

Following the founding of the Open Direct Current Alliance (ODCA) at the end of last year, the ZVEI working group has officially begun its work. The goal of the Alliance is the worldwide development of a direct current ecosystem and the cross-application establishment of direct current technology. The ODCA, which brings together 37 partners from industry, academia and research, is a seamless continuation of the successful DC Industry 2 research project, which will conclude in spring 2023. 

Direct current is an essential building block for the success of the energy transition. It has been proven that energy consumption in existing plants can be reduced by up to ten percent. Another advantage is that the need for copper in lines is reduced by half. "Direct current delivers significant benefits for a modern, industrial power grid. These include the efficient integration of renewable energies, lower resource consumption, reduced feed-in power, stable grids and an open system for users," says Dominik Maihöfner, Senior Technical Project Manager at the German Electro and Digital Industry Association (ZVEI). "Direct current is thus essential for a sustainable energy transition." The ODCA's task now, he said, is to create the transfer from theory to practice and to disseminate DC technology solutions, especially internationally.

ODCA founding members include: Audi, Bender, BLOCK, Danfoss, Eaton Industries, ESR Pollmeier, E-T-A, ETO Magnetic, Fraunhofer IISB, Fraunhofer IPA, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, Harting, Innelekt, Jean Müller, KEB, KEBA, KUKA, Lapp, Lenze, Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, Murrelelektronik, Paul Vahle, Phoenix Contact, Rittal, Schaltbau, Schneider Electric, Siemens, SOCOMEC, TH Ostwestfalen-Lippe, TU Braunschweig, TU Ilmenau, Weidmüller, Wöhner. Since the foundation, the following companies have joined: EFEN, innovenergy, Knick and LEM.