{
  "id": 3483361,
  "title": "From AC to DC: Europe invests in next-generation ship power systems",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/from-ac-to-dc-europe-invests-in-next-generation-ship-power-systems",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-26T10:00:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/from-ac-to-dc-europe-invests-in-next-generation-ship-power-systems/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Europe is investing in advanced ship power systems for the future of maritime energy. Two Horizon Europe projects, STEESMAT and ALL-DC-SHIPS, are collaborating to refine direct-current (DC) systems for commercial use. These DC-based systems offer greater energy efficiency, reduced complexity, and enhanced integration of renewable energy sources.\n\nSTEESMAT is developing a medium-voltage DC system with solid-state transformer technology, low-voltage DC secondary grid, and AI-based smart energy management. These components will be tested in a land-based Energy House before a demonstration aboard a commercial vessel at sea. ALL-DC-SHIPS, on the other hand, is focusing on creating a fully integrated DC electrical architecture for ships, which will be demonstrated through real-world testing on a 3000 GT dredger.\n\nThe transition to DC ship power systems is crucial for European shipping's shift to low- and zero-emission operations. The collaboration between industry stakeholders and researchers, as highlighted in the upcoming workshop at SMM Hamburg on 3 September 2026, is essential for addressing technical, regulatory, and commercial aspects of the transition from AC to DC systems.",
  "summary": "Two Horizon Europe projects are joining forces to help prepare direct-current (DC) ship power systems for commercial deployment, bringing together innovation, testing and standardisation efforts to support Europe’s transition to low- and zero-emission shipping. Batteries, fuel cells, and other clean energy sources are changing how ships are powered. Now, the STEESMAT and ALL-DC-SHIPS projects are…",
  "key_points": [
    "Europe invests in next-gen ship power systems via Horizon Europe projects STEESMAT and ALL-DC-SHIPS",
    "STEESMAT developing DC system with solid-state transformer and AI-based energy management",
    "ALL-DC-SHIPS creating fully integrated DC electrical architecture for 3000 GT dredger"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}