July 2, 2026
Supplier of power conversion systems SPOC energy and the University of Alabama have worked together to deploy a DC microgrid system at the school Alabama Mobility and Strength (AMP) Center.
The megawatt-scale microgrid, which SPOC officials are calling the “next generation,” aims to strengthen the school’s research efforts in energy innovation and electrification. The containerized energy system will serve as a test and development unit for other megawatt-scale microgrids in the US, and function as an energy storage and power distribution asset.
Moreover, the microgrid is AI-ready, say SPOC representatives. The installation reflects the industry-wide shift to DC-based energy systems, which can provide improved energy efficiency for large-scale projects such as AI data centers and industrial-scale electrification.
“The future of electrification depends on scalable, resilient energy architectures capable of supporting increasingly dynamic energy demands,” said Dr. Ben Gully, chief technologist at SPOC Energy. “This collaboration with the University of Alabama creates an environment where industry and academia can accelerate the development of next-generation DC systems that will shape everything from AI infrastructure to grid modernization.”
Providing research insights
The new DC system is expressly designed to support industry engagement with University of Alabama engineers, researchers, policymakers and students. With an ‘integrated digital experience’, the microgrid offers visitors and researchers the opportunity to interact with the system.
“The AMP program is focused on accelerating innovation in mobility and energy systems,” said Mike Malley, research director at the AMP Center. “SPOC Energy’s technology provides a critical platform for testing, demonstration and education, helping to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world implementation.”
The system’s broader interactive capabilities include “dynamic visualizations,” SPOC Energy officials said, as well as educational content about the energy sector. The system aims to provide a deeper insight into DC-based energy architecture, but also into new network technologies and perhaps most crucially: the integration of energy storage.
The partnership with the University of Alabama also highlights SPOC’s commitment to supporting academic and research environments in the energy world, the company says. The company also aims to advance high-efficiency energy infrastructure as data centers and distributed energy sources become increasingly popular.
As of June 2026, SPOC has deployed more than 2,000 DC microgrid projects on five continents, as well as 80,000 systems around the world.
Keywords: Microgrid, storage
