781: AC Vs DC-Coupled Battery Systems with Adam Knudsen Of Dynapower

Jan 21, 2025

Adam Knudsen, CEO of Dynapower, spearheads discussions on the evolving landscape of energy storage. He outlines the crucial differences between AC and DC-coupled systems, emphasizing how DC coupling minimizes energy losses and simplifies design. With a projected surge in DC-coupled systems by 2027, Adam highlights the newfound scalability and viability of this technology. He explains why DC coupling is becoming essential for clean energy applications, and how innovations are reshaping power solutions in the energy sector.

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INSIGHT

AC Coupled Systems

AC coupling connects battery storage to the grid, converting AC to DC for storage and back.
AC-coupled solar means connecting solar and battery storage to the same AC grid point.

INSIGHT

DC Coupled Systems

DC-coupled systems involve DC-to-DC conversion, changing voltage levels to match application needs.
This minimizes conversions, improving efficiency over AC coupling.

INSIGHT

Efficiency and Historical Context

DC coupling is inherently more efficient due to fewer conversion cycles, reducing energy loss.
AC coupling dominated due to established infrastructure and risk aversion among utilities/developers.

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It is estimated that by 2027 nearly half of all new solar installations will have energy storage attached, and today’s guest, Adam Knudsen of Dynapower, asserts that almost half of those will have DC coupled storage. The choice between AC or DC coupled systems has become a critical consideration for developers, utilities, and energy planners. While AC coupled systems have long dominated the market due to their established infrastructure and reliability, DC coupled technology is quickly gaining momentum. DC coupling reduces energy losses, simplifies system design, and requires less electrical infrastructure, so why has AC-coupled been so prevalent?

Adam Knudsen, CEO of Dynapower, breaks down how DC coupling is transforming modern energy storage systems. For over 60 years, Dynapower has led advancements in power electronics that address scalability and reliability issues. These innovations have enabled new applications, such as fast-charging for electric vehicles, supporting localized grids through microgrids, and integrating hydrogen production into renewable energy systems. Nico and Adam discuss when and why to use DC versus AC-coupled in clean energy applications.

Expect to learn:

Key differences between AC- and DC-coupled systems
Why DC coupling minimizes energy losses and simplifies system design
Why DC coupling is now scalable and viable for widespread adoption.
Why AC coupling has heretofore been the market leading approach.
What has changed to allow DC coupling to become more scalable

Tune in and learn how to decide which application might be right for your system.

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