DC-KORE

DC-KORE is an international joint R&D project between Germany and South Korea, with Fraunhofer ISIT acting as a central European research partner. The cooperation is based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fraunhofer, represented by the ISIT and IML institutes, and the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA). The aim of this agreement is long-term technological exchange and joint research in future-oriented fields such as power electronics, advanced manufacturing, and digital system development, with a particular focus on supporting SMEs and start-ups in scaling internationally.

DC-KORE is implemented within the “Jeonnam Direct Current Industry Global Innovation Special Zone,” an initiative of the Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS). Within a global R&D stream, Fraunhofer ISIT collaborates with six industrial companies as well as the Green Energy Institute (GEI). The activities are bundled into eight projects addressing three overarching technological pillars: high-efficiency DC–DC converters, medium-voltage DC circuit breakers, and simulation and real-time testing methods for modern power grids.

The performance of a DC grid critically depends on the efficiency of its DC–DC converters. These components connect energy sources, storage systems, and loads across different voltage levels. In three projects innovative galvanically isolated converter concepts are being investigated to enable flexible and efficient power transfer. A key distinguishing feature is the focus on multiport DC–DC converters, which allow multiple energy sources and storage systems to be integrated within a single conversion platform. In addition, modular series and parallel configurations are explored to scale power levels and enhance system. Digital twins, as developed in one project, further enable data-driven efficiency optimization already at the development stage.

While DC–DC converters control energy flows, fast and reliable protection mechanisms are essential for safe grid operation. This is particularly true in the medium-voltage range, where fault currents can rise extremely rapidly. In collaboration, MVDC circuit breakers with multi-breaking-point concepts are being developed. The focus is not limited to hardware development but extends to the evaluation and demonstration of circuit breaker performance. ISIT contributes its expertise in standards-oriented test methodologies, simulation-based evaluation approaches, and the definition of reproducible test setups. This work provides a solid foundation for future standards and industrial applications.

The third pillar of DC-KORE addresses the system level. Modern LVDC and AC/DC hybrid grids are highly complex and cannot be commissioned without comprehensive pre-validation. Together with our Partners, Fraunhofer ISIT develops detailed simulation models for distributed LVDC systems, hybrid charging infrastructures, and smart transformers integrated into meshed AC/DC grids. These models are transferred into real-time and hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) environments, enabling controllers, protection concepts, and grid interactions to be tested under realistic operating and fault scenarios. As a result, development cycles can be shortened, risks reduced, and innovations transferred into practical applications more rapidly.

Through DC-KORE, Fraunhofer ISIT makes a significant contribution to the international advancement of direct current technologies. The close integration of fundamental research, industrial application, and international collaboration not only strengthens technology transfer but also positions DC grids as a key building block for a sustainable, resilient, and globally interconnected energy future.

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