Unlike conventional alternating current (AC) elevator systems, DC-powered elevators offer regenerative energy capabilities—reusing energy typically lost during braking and feeding it back into the building’s system. This cuts down on electricity usage while supporting more stable energy distribution within the building.
Direct current systems align closely with decentralized energy setups, such as solar panels and battery storage, enabling elevators to operate with less reliance on external grids. By removing unnecessary AC/DC conversions, the new approach could help buildings run more efficiently, even during peak demand or grid instability.
KONE’s EVP of Technology & Innovation, Tomio Pihkala, emphasized, “It is essential to rethink our infrastructures for a successful energy transition. The adoption of DC in elevators is an important step towards making our buildings more efficient and sustainable, and we aim to pave the way for a new generation of smarter, more efficient and more sustainable lifts.”
One of the key hurdles in rolling out DC systems at scale is the absence of international standards. That’s where the Current/OS Foundation plays a critical role. The nonprofit works with over 90 partners across 25 countries—including grid operators, construction firms, labs, and certification bodies—to establish a common language for DC installations.
By pushing for shared protocols, the Foundation aims to enable cross-compatible devices and ensure safe, efficient operation across DC-based infrastructure. Elevators, being among the most energy-intensive systems in buildings, are seen as a high-impact use case for testing the broader integration of DC across sectors.
To advance this effort, KONE and Current/OS plan to install a working DC elevator at the DC Systems Experience Center in Aalsmeer, Netherlands. The facility serves as a hub for hands-on testing and professional demonstrations, aimed at construction and building energy stakeholders evaluating future-ready infrastructure solutions.
Yannick Neyret, President of the Current/OS Foundation, says that “Direct current is one of numerous tools at our disposal to make a success of the energy transition. Developing a norm for power distribution in DC remains a collective effort. We are grateful to our partners who are deploying projects demonstrating the feasibility and the advantages of DC, with the lift being a valuable example of the same."
