Birmingham alternates currents

Researchers at Birmingham University have created a solution which can manage faults in direct current (DC) electrical systems. The technology could make the shift away from less efficient alternating current (AC) power grids more appealing.

While DC power grids offer a whole range of benefits, including increased efficiency and better compatibility with renewable energy sources, faults are harder to control. This is because direct current offers a constant flow of electricity, whereas AC switches directions several times per second offering a chance to stop current and repair potential faults.

Currently, DC systems are repaired with the use of a so-called circuit breaker, a large and expensive device which temporarily converts the grid into AC. A research team around Xiao-Ping Zhang have now managed to build technology to control current directly into the grid’s AC/DC terminals.

Alta Innovations, Birmingham University’s technology transfer company, has patented the technology. Alta is now searching for an industry partner to license the technology to and bring it to market.

Xiao-Ping Zhang, professor at Birmingham University, said: “Nobody has yet thought of using the terminals themselves to control the DC current. It is a very practical solution to the problem, which will make the DC current breakers much simpler and much cheaper. The need for DC current is such that huge, multi-billion pound, infrastructure projects are already underway in anticipation of a solution to this problem. We believe we have the missing piece of the puzzle that will allow DC power supplies to be adopted worldwide.”