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DC Opportunities
R&D Funding
Below we acknowledge research funding that supports early-stage development of DC technologies at lower technology readiness levels (TRL3-5). We listed research projects partially or entirely dedicated to DC systems, devices, and supporting technologies, which are fully or partially executed in Estonia.
Estonian Research Council
PRG1086 "Future-Proof Power Electronic Systems for Residential Microgrids" (1.01.2021−31.12.2025)
Current trends and regulatory directives stipulate a significant decrease in the energy consumption and carbon footprint of buildings. The residential DC microgrids (RDCμG) with on-site renewable energy generation and storage were proven as a promising technology needed to meet these targets. However, the lack of awareness, mature technologies, and market-ready power electronic systems still limit the wide adoption of RDCμGs. The main objective of this project is to make a breakthrough in the applied design of power electronic systems for RDCμG by the acquisition of cutting-edge knowledge in topologies, control, optimization, reliability, and lifetime extension methods. It is highly expected that key competencies obtained during the project will help to advance the emerging RDCμG technology by enabling novel, versatile, cost-effective power electronic systems, which will push forward the innovation and accelerate the transition towards highly energy-efficient and decarbonized buildings.
Principal Investigator: Dmitri Vinnikov, Tallinn University of Technology.
TK230 "Centre of Excellence in Energy Efficiency" (1.01.2024−31.12.2030)
CoE ENER covers 53% of final energy use in Estonia as well as major energy saving measures with highest investment volumes. CoE aims to contribute to Estonian societal and economic challenge to transform 75% of existing building stock with poor energy performance to zero emission buildings (ZEB) with maximized co-benefits and improved life quality by 2050. The scientific aim is to extend the excellence in ZEB technologies to become the top research centre in equity-enhancing deep renovation, driving disruptive changes and initiating systemic reforms encompassing innovative technologies, novel governance models, novel participatory and collaborative approaches to engage citizens. Interdisciplinary CoE combines engineering, social, data sciences, and economics with a central focus on the energy performance of buildings and districts, electrification and flexibility, renewable energy generation and storage, energy-saving measures, and business models with their socioeconomic and regional impacts.
Principal Investigator: Jarek Kurnitski, Tallinn University of Technology.
WP4 leader: Dmitri Vinnikov, Tallinn University of Technology.
PRG2055 "EFFicient, relIable, and seCure partIal powEr electroNic sysTems (EFFICIENT)" (1.01.2024−31.12.2028)
Direct current distribution is being demonstrated in a growing number of emerging applications. It employs full-power converters - a mature technology with almost no room for further improvements in power density, efficiency, or cost optimization. The new technology of partial power processing allows for overcoming those limitations. Targeting mission-critical applications, this project optimizes reliability and analyzes the capacity of the proposed converters for security and condition monitoring. This project will systematically study partial power converters as cyber-physical systems to define what implementation approaches allow to satisfy requirements of power quality, protection, lifecycle cost, dynamic performance, security, and condition monitoring. This will bridge the knowledge gaps in this field and demonstrate the practical pros and cons of this technology in mission-critical systems.
Principal Investigator: Andrii Chub, Tallinn University of Technology.
PRG675 "New Generation of High-Performance Power Electronic Converters Simultaneously Applicable for DC and AC Grids with Extended Functionalities " (1.01.2020−31.12.2024)
This project aims to develop a new generation of high-performance power electronic facilities applicable for DC and AC residential grids with extended functionalities. The goal of the project is to improve an electrical energy system by creating advanced power electronics solutions. New power electronics topologies, along with novel materials and control strategies, will allow power electronics converters to demonstrate more favorable characteristics and functionalities. Our attention will be paid to the development of solutions that are simultaneously applied to AC and DC residential power grids and ensure a smooth transition between DC and AC grids. The project will provide a significant contribution to the development of multiple scientific novelties and the deployment of the obtained novelty into industrially relevant targets. The project team is strongly motivated to place Estonia among countries one step ahead in developing highly technological solutions.
Principal Investigator: Oleksandr Husev, Tallinn University of Technology.
EAG234 "New Concept of Energy Router for Residential Application (SoftER)" (1.10.2023−30.09.2024)
High energy costs, market price fluctuation, and limitations to further renewable energy penetration to the grid require new solutions for sustainable economic development along with CO2 emission reduction. An Energy Router is a multifunctional device that provides smart utilization of the solar generation system, battery storage, AC and DC grid, load supply, and a proactive user communication interface. The main goal of this project is to increase the readiness level of an entirely new approach to the Energy Router implementation along with a user interface for residential applications for further promotion to the market. Analysis of norms, components optimization, long operation warranty, safety, software, and performance issues will be addressed in this project.
Principal Investigator: Oleksandr Husev, Tallinn University of Technology.
European Union
SMARTGYsum "Research and Training Network for Smart and Green Energy Systems and Business Models " (1.10.2021−30.09.2025)
“Collaborative Smart Grids” (CSGs) is a promising concept built on digital technologies and economic and organizational structures, directly linked to the empowerment of consumers, the promotion of behavioral change, and increased collaboration among all stakeholders. CSGs require a new vision but also innovative business models and technology developments around energy production, distribution and consumption to be successful and sustainable. The multidisciplinary and multilayer concept embedded in CSGs is essential to contribute to greener and smarter energy systems in our societies.
SMARTGYsum - SMART Green energY Systems and bUsiness Models- will train 15 ESR for 36 months to enable the implementation of the Smart Energy vision, focusing on different technical and socioeconomic aspects that conform to Electric Energy Systems (EESs) and CSGs, providing an excellent basis to develop their future careers in Power Electronics, Electric Engineering, Material Sciences, ICT, Data Sciences but also energy capturing of value, value chains, finance & investments, management of energy markets, economical and policy instruments, etc. As a result, there will be a network of academic and industrial partners closely collaborating following a transferable, inter and multidisciplinary approach, aimed at raising the employability and career opportunities of ESRs within the public and the private sectors, as well as their potential for conducting innovation, entrepreneurship and for impacting in the European society at medium and long-term.
Principal Investigator in Estonia: Dmitri Vinnikov, Tallinn University of Technology.
VHE23052 "SHIFT to Direct Current" (1.12.2023−31.05.2027)
SHIFT2DC project aims to propose and implement a top-down application-agnostic approach for the design, simulation, test, validation, and application of both medium (MV) and low voltage (LV) direct current (DC) solutions. Thirty-two partners, including affiliated and associated partners, from twelve countries, will join expertise to develop, test and demonstrate the technical feasibility, cost-benefit, life cycle and environmental impact of the proposed DC solutions in Data centres, Buildings, Industry and Ports across Europe (Germany, France, and Portugal). The field-tests and demonstrators will allow an evaluation of the advanced control methodologies and tools, the definition of the appropriate implementation conditions, and a consolidation of the most promising solutions and corresponding business models for MV and LV DC systems. Beyond the DC solutions that will be tested and demonstrated, SHIFT2DC will also evaluate the consumers' perspective regarding DC solutions and propose new tools that promote the faster adoption of DC solutions. All the solutions and tools that will be developed in the SHIFT2DC project will be case-agnostic allowing the use of its results in most applications. In a second stage of the development, specific libraries for buildings, datacentres, industry and ports will be proposed allowing a better and more detailed simulation of the mentioned environments. The DC solutions proposed and developed in the SHIFT2DC project will be designed taking into consideration the interoperability requirements, the scalability opportunities and the security and privacy needs. In addition, the project results will contribute to the development of standards in compliance with the needs of DC solutions. Finally, a regulatory framework that promotes the adoption of MVDC and LVDC solutions and assures secure and economic power systems management under hybrid AC/DC grids will be proposed.
Principal Investigator in Estonia: Andrii Chub, Tallinn University of Technology.