Insights into the research project VERNEDCT

Current developments in MVDC and LVDC grids - presentation of the VERNEDCT project

On 12 January 2026, Prof. Dirk Westermann gave an inspiring lecture on current trends and developments in medium and low-voltage DC grids. His presentation was based on the latest results of the VERNEDCT research project at Ilmenau University of Technology, which is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation.

The use of direct current in distribution grids enables a significantly higher utilization of the grid infrastructure and thus reduces the resources required for grid expansion. This means that significantly more energy can be distributed with the same amount of material than with today's alternating current technology. The VERNEDCT project will develop the technological basis for a new, fully inverter-fed distribution grid based on direct current technology for urban areas, which can take over the tasks of today's grid levels 5-7 (medium and low voltage).

Many thanks to the VDE Hochschulgruppe of the VDE District Association for inviting us to give an insight into our research. Good luck with the continuation of the VDE lecture series.