The time is ripe for DC.
Power war 2.0!

DC means "direct current" and means exactly that. This means that the strength and direction of the current do not change. We know direct current (DC) from the car as a 12-volt cigarette lighter or the 5-volt USB plug for the mobile phone.

DC grids that work with direct current are still rather rare. They are also known as DC microgrids or DC links. They are usually smaller decentralised networks within neighbourhoods, areas, commercial enterprises or energy cooperatives (ZEV).

AC means "alternating current". In this case, the strength and direction of the current change in a regular rhythm. Our entire household works with alternating current (AC): the 230 V refrigerator, the drill or the electric cooker with 400 V three-phase AC/three-phase current. The electricity from the socket that is taken for granted everywhere is 230 V single-phase alternating current.

The public electricity grid with its overhead power lines, our connection to the house or commercial enterprise and in neighbourhoods or areas is alternating current (AC).

In 1890, Thomas Alva Edison (General Electrics) and George Westinghouse (Westinghouse Electric) engaged in the first economic battle over a technical standard in industrial history. This battle went down in history as "The war of the currents". The point of contention was the market share of the respective electrical companies and the enforcement of DC or AC power grids as the electrical standard in the USA. Edison stood for direct current and many patents in this area, which he paid dearly for. As a result, free competition and innovation were hindered. Because of these patent restrictions, Westinghouse favoured alternating current, which was free under patent law.

By the end of 1887, Edison had 121 DC grids and Westinghouse, along with the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, had 90 AC grids in the US, which hindered the expansion of Edison's grids.

Each company had its own line systems, some of which crossed and overlapped. For many years, the two opponents waged a media war, with Edison attempting to banish his opponent from the market via the danger of alternating current in the public opinion. The great advantage of alternating current, however, was its enormous range in the networks and it finally became the standard towards the end of the 19th century.

You can find out more details about the war of the currents at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_the_currents
Two interesting films illustrate this period in "Edison – a life full of light" and "Tesla", which depicts the role of Nikola Tesla as the inventor of today's two-phase alternating current.

Compared to the end of the last century, electricity consumption has increased enormously. The electrification of households and commercial enterprises is causing electricity consumption to rise steadily. Especially with the switch to electric vehicles, an exploding increase is expected in the next few years. The massive emergence of charging will pose major challenges to the current infrastructure. The growing energy consumption in the IT sector with the increasing number of data centres is also swallowing up large amounts of energy.

The price of electricity for private households has been on an upward trend in most countries for years. In Germany, for example, the price of electricity has more than doubled in 20 years. And the trend is still moving upwards. Against this background, generating and using electricity yourself is an attractive alternative. Due to the poor reimbursement rates to the grid, storing one's own energy is an increasing topic for homeowners in order to additionally reduce electricity bills and gain more independence through self-energy optimisation.

Renewable energy does not come regularly. When the sun or wind generates energy, it does not mean that this energy will be consumed somewhere at the same moment. The intermediate buffering of increased electricity production is a major challenge. Therefore, at times when hardly any energy is produced, conventional power plants are needed in order to still be able to serve all consumers. The energy transition cannot currently be implemented without conventional technology in large grids. It is a system-relevant challenge of old and new energy production as well as the control of a very uneven energy production and consumption volume.

The enormous energy production volume due to renewable energies as well as the rapidly increasing energy consumption poses massive problems for our existing power lines. The expansion of the grids to meet the new requirements is associated with high costs. Peak loads of high energy production and high consumption at different times must be constantly balanced and regulated across the board. And the energy transition 2050 requires even more photovoltaic coverage. Often, the full power of a PV system cannot even be used due to lower grid connections.

For a centralised power supply with centralised energy production, AC power with its large established range has a clear advantage. However, electricity production is becoming more and more decentralised through renewable energies, such as small photovoltaic systems on many house roofs and the growing number of large PV systems. With regional DC grids and their shorter range, the large AC grids can be relieved enormously. Hand in hand with the electricity companies, mutual support is possible through grid relief and better energy efficiency. Peak loads in production no longer have to be balanced and can be consumed or stored directly in the DC grid. The high costs of expanding AC grids are saved. In addition, the full potential of photovoltaic systems can be used directly within a DC microgrid.

The vision of many small decentralised DC grids is in its beginnings. Due to its high energy efficiency, this technology is becoming more and more popular. This is because DC-produced solar power no longer needs to be converted, but goes directly to DC consumers such as heat pumps, battery storage or e-vehicles. The self-produced DC electricity can now be used with much lower losses (without conversion losses).

A special DC power cable (DC link) serves as a connection between the power producers and the power consumers. Depending on the consumer, the DC current is either fed directly to the DC consumers via highly efficient DC/DC converters or frequency converters and to the AC consumers (such as a household) via a DC/AC inverter or fed into the grid.

The near future means partially or completely converting residential areas, commercial enterprises or other large buildings to DC. Lighting systems, e-charging stations or fuel cells can receive DC power directly. Within a ZEV, DC consumers can be supplied directly from the DC grid via frequency converters such as heat pumps or infrared heaters. A commercial enterprise can operate the electric motors of its machines directly from its own solar system via frequency converters with its own DC power. Much is possible, much is in the concept drawers, much is in the process of change.