Jacobs collaborates with Current/OS to address electricity demand surge through DC microgrids.
- The energy transition from fossil fuels to electricity is the largest electrification expansion in history.
- DC microgrids promise enhanced energy efficiency by eliminating conversion losses and enabling bi-directional energy exchange.
- Current/OS works on establishing standards for DC to ensure resilience against rising demands and integration of renewables.
- Collaboration between industry leaders, like Jacobs and Current/OS, is vital for advancing net zero ambitions.
Jacobs has teamed up with the non-profit Current/OS to tackle the surging demand in electricity necessitated by the transition from fossil fuels. This partnership underscores the crucial role DC microgrids play in managing the energy transition of heat and transport networks. Adam Selvey from Jacobs underlined the significance of DC microgrids, stating that the electrification surge could require the UK grid to expand by 150-200% of its current capacity.
Selvey emphasised the importance of breaking conventional thinking to aid net zero efforts, noting that remaining in ‘business-as-usual’ mode would lead to increasingly large electrical networks, hindering progress. Current/OS is pivotal in supporting this transition by promoting understanding and skill development in the supply chain, which includes engineers, contractors, and electricians.
DC microgrids offer myriad benefits, such as improved reliability, energy efficiency, and renewable source integration, functioning autonomously. By storing electricity in a DC form, these microgrids eliminate conversion losses which are commonplace with AC, thereby advocating an efficient energy storage and retrieval system.
Current/OS, headquartered in Amsterdam, aims to facilitate the adoption of DC microgrids globally. Established in 2021, it is dedicated to creating consistent standards to meet the fast-growing electrical demands. The foundation believes that buildings can be re-designed with DC systems and existing infrastructures upgraded to distribute DC power, thus enabling a more resilient electricity grid.
Collaborating with over 40 industrial partners, including prominent names like ABB and Schneider Electric, Current/OS is working towards a collective approach to addressing energy transition challenges. It seeks to develop industry standards that will allow smoother integration of renewable energy sources, crucial in responding to increased electrical demands.
Jacobs is assisting global clients in transitioning their systems from the current AC framework to a DC future, highlighting the potential for significant carbon reductions and improved operational efficiency. This transformation is seen as a major step towards achieving net zero goals, enabling rapid decarbonisation by disconnecting client assets from slow-changing utility infrastructures.
Current/OS aims to establish an international ecosystem for DC microgrids within the next decade, actively working on products like electronic circuit breakers, which are essential for these systems. The organisation is involved with the International Electrical Committee to bridge gaps in existing standards and create comprehensive guidelines for DC installation.
The partnership between Jacobs and Current/OS illustrates the necessary collaboration required to effectively manage and advance the global energy transition.
