EVDC Grid

Inspiration

The rapid growth of electric mobility is creating a structural challenge: existing electrical grids were not designed to support widespread high-power EV charging. In many cases, deploying new charging infrastructure requires costly and time-consuming grid upgrades, becoming a major bottleneck for scale.

At the same time, cities already have extensive, underutilized electrical infrastructure—particularly public street lighting networks. These networks are widely distributed, grid-connected, and continuously powered, yet they are rarely considered part of the energy transition.

EVDC Grid was inspired by a simple question: what if existing infrastructure could be repurposed to accelerate electrification instead of building everything from scratch?

What it does

We developed a system integration approach based on Direct Current (DC) networks, enabling more efficient energy distribution for EV charging and other applications. Instead of relying on traditional AC architectures, we deploy DC-based systems that reduce energy conversions, simplify infrastructure, and improve overall efficiency.

Our solution aggregates best-in-class technologies—such as DC fast chargers, power electronics, and energy management systems—into a unified, interoperable platform.

A key innovation is using public lighting networks as a backbone for DC energy distribution. By transforming luminaires into intelligent energy nodes, we enable the integration of EV charging, sensors, and communication systems directly into existing urban infrastructure.

How we built it

Working in real deployment environments showed that the main challenge is not technology availability, but system integration and infrastructure constraints. Interoperability between components, grid limitations, and regulatory frameworks are often the true barriers.

We also learned that leveraging existing assets dramatically improves project feasibility—reducing costs, deployment time, and complexity.

Challenges we ran into

The main challenges included integrating heterogeneous technologies, ensuring reliable operation under real-world conditions, and adapting solutions to different grid environments.

Regulatory constraints and permitting processes also required atention, particularly when repurposing existing infrastructure for new energy uses.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of having transformed an initial idea into a solid and technically grounded solution, capable of addressing a real and urgent challenge in EV infrastructure deployment.

Another key achievement has been the creation of a network of advisors and industry contacts, bringing together expertise from different domains such as energy, mobility, and infrastructure.

Most importantly, we are proud of winning Tecstorm—the first hackathon where we presented this idea. This recognition validated both the relevance of the problem we are tackling and the strength of our solution, giving us confidence and momentum to continue developing EVDC Grid.

What we learned

We learned that the main barrier to scaling EV infrastructure is not the lack of technology, but the integration of systems and the constraints of existing grids. Interoperability between components, regulatory frameworks, and deployment logistics are critical factors.

We also realized that scaling this solution requires strong partnerships across the ecosystem. Collaborating with utilities, infrastructure owners, and technology providers is essential to unlock value and ensure alignment between all stakeholders.

Finally, we confirmed that leveraging existing infrastructure significantly reduces costs and accelerates implementation, making projects more viable, scalable, and attractive for all parties involved.

What's next for EVDC Grid

The next step is to move from validation to scaled deployment, focusing on pilot projects in urban environments to demonstrate real-world impact. We aim to strengthen partnerships with utilities, and infrastructure operators, while refining our integration model for different use cases. Expanding the application of DC networks beyond EV charging—into smart cities and distributed energy systems—is also a key priority.

Built With

• dc-grid
• power-electronics