Popular DC Lab of The Hague University of Applied Sciences build the future of DC technology

The Hague University of Applied Sciences (AT HOME) is known for its focus on innovation and practice-oriented education. In 2013, THUAS decided to invest in Power Electronics in response to the growing attention to the energy transition. This led to a new course and the establishment of the DC Lab, a unique research environment where students and faculty collaborate on the development and application of Direct Current (DC) technology. Peter van Duijsen, head of the DC Lab, explains: “We are building the fuse box of the future, where everything runs on DC.” In the lab, students gain hands-on experience in designing, controlling, and securing converters, making it an essential learning environment for future specialists in power electronics.

Practical research into DC technology

Each year, multiple students use the lab to work on graduation projects for DC grids applications, this could be 48 V applications for office environments to 400V / 800 V applications like DC-powered heat pumps, solar inverters or EV chargers. These students actively contribute to real-world developments by working on projects such as designing and testing cost-effective DC/DC converters, implementing more efficient energy management techniques, and developing advanced control and stability solutions for DC networks.

The current lab accommodates on average 6 to 10 students at a time, ensuring they receive the guidance and resources needed to complete their projects successfully. By working on these various challenges, students gain valuable experience that prepares them for careers in power electronics and sustainable energy solutions. Van Duijsen highlights: “Students here don't just study theory; they actively build and test the future of DC technology.”

Advanced Equipment and collaboration with CN Rood

An essential aspect of the DC Lab is the equipment to design, manufacture and test power electronics. CN Rood equipment is widely used in the lab. Peter van Duijsen: “We use Delta Electronics power supplies because there just aren't any better power supplies. We also use Tektronix scopes a lot. We started with old scopes from the education side but have invested in new scopes in recent years. We use 4-channel scopes, personally I like that the knobs are in the right place. But we also have modern 8-channel scopes with a touch screen. Personally, I then look for knobs, but this will be a generational issue. As soon as a new device arrives, we are going to figure it out all by ourselves but we know that we can count on the service and expertise of CN Rood. In the future we want to install a new regenerative test setup with two bidirectional 1500V Delta power supplies on both sides to efficiently test converters. But we need more space for this set-up.”

Future plans: Expansion and collaboration

The ambition is to further expand the DC Lab and enhance research and testing capabilities. With the rising focus on the energy transition and the increasing demand for power electronics specialists, the DC Lab has a promising future. The combination of hands-on education, advanced equipment, and strong partnerships makes the lab a crucial player in developing sustainable energy solutions. There are plans to collaborate with other universities of applied sciences to develop a new minor in DC technology with of course an important role for The Hague University of Applied Sciences. As Van Duijsen summarizes: “We are building the future of DC technology here.”