Shift2DC Project: Nexans commits to the transition to direct current in low-voltage electrical installations!
27 February 2025
4 min
A view of Direct Current technology-equipped buildings

Nexans is pleased to announce its active participation as a partner in the Shift2DC project, a winner of the Horizon Europe program for research and innovation.

The Shift2Dc project aims to accelerate the adoption of Direct Current (DC) technology in both medium and low-voltage electrical systems. By enhancing efficiency and sustainability, the initiative seeks to modernize energy distribution while ensuring the reliability of key components, such as cables, converters, micro-converters, measurement devices, and switching equipment.

With 21 beneficiary partners and 6 associated partners—including equipment manufacturers, industries, universities, research centers, and foundations—the project unites expertise from across the sector to drive innovation. The ultimate goal is to position DC as a critical solution for achieving Net Zero Emission Buildings (*). Supported by €11 million in funding, Shift2DC will run until May 2027, fostering research and development that advances DC-powered infrastructure.

We live in a world where direct current is ubiquitous—from solar energy production and energy storage systems to electric vehicles, LED lighting, and HVAC equipment. Optimizing electricity distribution is a key challenge. The process of converting alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) leads to significant energy losses. By directly powering devices with DC, we can reduce these losses and improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

Jérôme Fournier

Corporate VP Director of Innovation, Nexans

A view of Direct Current technology-equipped buildings

Nexans’ participation in the Shift2DC project represents a major opportunity to develop cables suited for DC installations, particularly for future buildings. These solutions will incorporate advanced functionalities to ensure safety and optimal interaction with the grid.

Through R&D and pilot project experiments, Nexans is committed to designing high-performance, sustainable DC cables. This development relies on a strategic selection of polymers and formulations, optimized transit capacity management, and an eco-design approach considering conductor selection, product size, and recyclability. The objective is to optimize cable lifecycle while integrating innovations that facilitate installation and rapid on-site connections. Special attention is also given to electrical safety conditions.

The first prototypes, intended for qualification phases, will be produced at the Grimsås pilot plant in Sweden. Nexans will implement a prequalification process to assess the performance of the new DC cables, followed by real-world testing in pilot projects.

Cables play an essential role in electrical installations. They ensure the connection between consumption points, such as heat pumps, cooling systems, or air conditioning, and energy sources like solar panels and batteries, whether for storage or from vehicles. They also enable network interconnection while ensuring the safety of people and equipment.

Throughout the project, several on-site demonstration sites will be deployed: two direct current laboratories and four demonstrators to test developed solutions for:

  • Ports: How to power docked cruise ships?
  • Buildings: Implementing a DC Micro-Grid in commercial buildings that integrate energy sources and consumers.
  • Data Centers: While telecom equipment already operates on DC, how can this be extended to building power supply?
  • Industry: Demonstrating the ability to run an industrial site, including automation lines, entirely on DC.

The goal is to demonstrate the real-world benefits of these solutions, validate the functionality of such electrical networks, and ensure the interoperability of all components.

With the Shift2DC project, Nexans and its partners are committed to validating the feasibility and relevance of DC installations for the buildings of tomorrow!

Nexans is also a member of the Current/OS Foundation, promoting and fostering the adoption of DC microgrids.

Towards Reliable Direct Current Cable Systems? Discover our dedicated article: “Unlocking the Power of DC Buildings.”

 

(*) Net Zero Emission Buildings: A European directive requiring that all new buildings, from 2020 onward, have high energy performance and very low energy needs, largely covered by on-site and nearby renewable energy sources.

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