NEFI Brings DC Innovation into Practice: New Key Technology for Industrial DC Grids
At Hannover Messe 2026, it became clear where industrial energy supply is heading: direct current grids (DC grids) are becoming increasingly important for efficient and flexible energy use in industry.
A key highlight was Siemens’ presentation of a new semiconductor power circuit breaker for DC applications. The SENTRON 3QD2, (Semiconductor Circuit Breaker, SCCB) (250 A, 1000 V DC), enables ultra-fast interruption of fault currents in the microsecond range on the basis of semiconductor technology. It therefore makes a decisive contribution to the protection and stability of DC grids and is an important building block for the development of high-performance industrial DC infrastructures.
Despite their high performance, the air-cooled systems are compact in design and comparable with existing electromechanical solutions – a clear advantage for integration into industrial applications.
From Innovation to Application
Of particular relevance is the fact that this technology is already being tested in practice. As early as the end of May, an initial pre-series device will be deployed in a real industrial environment at FILL GmbH. The integration is taking place in close cooperation with Siemens and marks an important step towards the broader industrial application of DC technologies.
Experience It Live at the Austrian DC Pilot Factory
How these solutions work together in practice will be demonstrated by the Austrian DC Pilot Factory on July 1st, 2026 as part of a demo workshop at FILL.
In a semi-industrial environment, a low-voltage direct current grid will be demonstrated in which:
- a machine tool and an industrial robot are integrated as consumers
- a PV system provides renewable energy
- a bidirectional charging station together with an electric vehicle functions as an energy storage system
- an intelligent energy management system optimises the energy flow
The demonstration shows how flexible and scalable DC microgrids can contribute to greater efficiency and the decarbonisation of industrial processes.
Event Details
- July 1st 2026
- 9:30 AM – 5 PM
- FILL GmbH, Fillstraße 1, 4942 Gurten, Austria
Further information and registration: Demo Workshop: ADC Pilot Factory Showcases Innovative Direct Current Grid Solutions
By combining innovative power electronics with real-world application, NEFI demonstrates how the energy transition in industry can be implemented in practice – from technology development to deployment in real operations.