RE/SOURCED PILOT: practical implementation of a DC microgrid

The RE/SOURCED project, part of the Urban Innovative Actions initiative in Zwevegem, Belgium, aims to develop a circular, medium-sized, and self-sufficient energy system. This is part of the redevelopment of the Transfo site, a former coal-fired power station, that is now a 10-hectare mixed-use area. Central to the project is the implementation of a low-voltage direct current (LVDC) microgrid that optimizes energy generation, storage, and consumption while adhering to circular economy principles, including material reuse and energy efficiency. The microgrid features a radial DC backbone connected to the public AC grid via a central bidirectional inverter. It is the first DC grid managed by a public distribution system operator in Belgium. Energy is sourced from photovoltaic installations and a combined heat and power plant, stored in a stationary battery, and consumed by electric vehicle chargers or injected into the AC grid. A central energy management system monitors and optimizes energy flows. Key challenges include lacking DC-specific standards, underdeveloped protection devices, capacitive behaviour and addressing corrosive leakage currents. By addressing these challenges, the RE/SOURCED project provides a practical demonstration of the potential for DC microgrids in achieving sustainable urban energy systems.