Direct Energy Partners
Direct Energy Partners builds cloud-based design software (DCIDE) and multivendor DC microgrid controllers (Power Platform/PPL) for engineers, C&I facilities, and AI/data-center developers, monetizing via freemium subscriptions, perpetual licenses, and a partner marketplace (RE+Source PRO).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersCornelius, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Direct Energy Partners does
Direct Energy Partners (DEP) is a privately held technology company founded in 2021 that builds software and hardware for designing, simulating, and controlling Direct Current (DC) microgrids. The company operates from dual headquarters in Cornelius, North Carolina (USA) and Machelen, Belgium, and is led by co-founders Dusan Brhlik (CEO) and Giel Van den Broeck, PhD (CTO). Its stated thesis is that solar, batteries, EVs, and data centers are natively DC devices, and that designing around legacy AC infrastructure introduces avoidable conversion losses — DEP claims DC systems achieve 96% efficiency versus 88% for AC microgrids and up to 30% lower total cost of ownership.
DEP's product portfolio centers on three interconnected assets: DCIDE, a cloud-based collaborative design platform for DC microgrid single-line diagrams with integrated power-flow, fault, and wire-sizing simulations validated against IEC/NEC standards; the Power Platform (PPL), a hardware-agnostic multivendor DC microgrid controller sold as a $10,000/MW perpetual license with optional Starter ($2,499) and Deployment ($3,499) hardware kits; and RE+Source PRO, a B2B marketplace launched in January 2025 in partnership with RE+ Events, SEIA, and SEPA, hosting roughly 20,000 products from manufacturers and service providers. The company monetizes through a freemium PLG motion for DCIDE (Free tier; Plus at $19.99/team/month with usage-based credits for simulations and expert support), enterprise field sales for PPL, and turn-key EPC services. Reference and pilot customers include Duke Energy, GSA Facilities, NVIDIA (800V DC AI factory), and OCP (4 MW DC data center); the company received a minority investment from ABB Ventures in March 2023.
Direct Energy Partners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Direct Energy Partners
- Legal name
- Direct Energy Partners International Corporation Inc.
- Website
- https://directenergypartners.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Direct Energy Partners builds cloud-based design software (DCIDE) and multivendor DC microgrid controllers (Power Platform/PPL) for engineers, C&I facilities, and AI/data-center developers, monetizing via freemium subscriptions, perpetual licenses, and a partner marketplace (RE+Source PRO).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Direct Energy Partners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- DC Microgrid Design & Control Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microgrid & Distributed Grid Equipment (Controllers, Switchgear Packages, DER Interconnection) (IMAGAAAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Microgrids & Energy Management Controllers (Campus/Community/Industrial) (EUADAPAE), Community Microgrids & Shared Distributed Generation (EUACALAC)
Keywords
Where Direct Energy Partners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cornelius
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Direct Energy Partners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses (Perpetual): One-time perpetual license for Power Platform controller software at $10,000/MW. Lifetime local control with all features included. No subscription required.
- Hardware Sales: Starter Kit at $2,499 (90-day full feature trial), Deployment Kit at $3,499, or customers can use own hardware at $0. Hardware includes controller, I/O modules, and power supply.
- Software Subscriptions: Plus plan at $19.99/team/month for unlimited designs, shared team library, and priority support. Credits purchased separately for simulations and expert support.
- Usage-based Credits: Credits for power flow simulations (100 credits), fault simulations, wire sizing (100 credits), AI design agent (20 credits), and DC expert support (250+ credits). Credits valid one year from purchase.
- Engineering Support Services: Pay-per-use engineering support through DCIDE credits. Includes address-map generation, commissioning support, custom application development, and manufacturer coordination.
- RE+Source PRO Marketplace: Premium subscriptions for manufacturers and service providers to showcase products and services. Platform connects product catalog, reference designs, and DCIDE software.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free tier for DC microgrid design exploration |
| Subscription | Monthly | Full platform access for teams at $19.99/month |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Simulation credits for power flow, fault analysis, wire sizing |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Expert question: Single focused answer to technical question |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Perpetual software license for controller runtime |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Entry-level controller hardware kit with trial license |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Permanent deployment hardware kit |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Customer-supplied hardware with free software deployment |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Direct Energy Partners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Direct Energy Partners (DEP) sells a DC-First software platform for designing, simulating, and validating direct-current microgrids, paired with the Power Platform (PPL) — a hardware-agnostic multivendor DC microgrid controller. Its products include the DCIDE cloud-based collaborative design platform, the PPL controller sold under a $10,000/MW perpetual software license plus optional hardware kits ($2,499 Starter Kit, $3,499 Deployment Kit), and the RE+Source PRO marketplace that connects microgrid designers with manufacturers and service providers.
Product overview
Direct Energy Partners offers a portfolio of interconnected products and services centered on DC microgrid design, control, and deployment. The core hardware product is the Power Platform (PPL), a multivendor DC microgrid controller that manages power flow across multi-vendor hardware using open protocols, running built-in energy optimization algorithms. Complementing the controller is DCIDE — a cloud-based collaborative design software platform for creating, simulating, and validating DC microgrid single-line diagrams with power-flow analysis, fault simulations, and BOM export. The Starter Kit bundles the PPL hardware with a 90-day software trial. The software operates on a tiered model: DCIDE Free (limited designs/credits), DCIDE Plus ($19.99/team/month) for full access, and DCIDE Credits for simulations and expert engineering support. The Power Platform software itself is sold as a perpetual one-time license ($10,000/MW). RE+Source PRO is a separate marketplace platform (built by DEP, powered by SEIA/SEPA) connecting manufacturers with designers and service providers. Custom Application Development enables users to build bespoke EMS applications in Python using the NATS-based pplapp library. DEP also offers turn-key EPC services for full microgrid design and deployment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Power Platform (PPL): Hardware-agnostic multivendor DC microgrid controller for low-voltage DC microgrids enabling seamless integration of PV, storage, and grid-tied converters with smart algorithms for real-time optimization.
- DCIDE
- RE+Source PRO
Products and services
- Power Platform (PPL) Multivendor DC Microgrid Controller Hardware-agnostic energy management and control platform for low-voltage DC microgrids. Integrates any power hardware (PV, storage, grid-tied converters, EV chargers) via open protocols and runs built-in optimization algorithms for real-time control. Sold to enterprise, utility, and C&I customers.
- DCIDE Collaborative Microgrid Design Platform Cloud-based collaborative software platform for engineers, developers, and energy consultants to design, simulate, and validate DC microgrids. Combines a visual single-line diagram editor with power-flow simulation, fault analysis, wire sizing, BOM export, real-time collaboration, and an integrated product catalog.
- Power Platform Starter Kit Pre-configured hardware bundle (controller, I/O modules, power supply) bundled with a 90-day full-feature trial license of the Power Platform software. Ships pre-configured and operational in minutes for evaluation and pilot deployments.
- RE+Source PRO Power Systems Marketplace Online B2B marketplace and professional network connecting microgrid designers and engineers with product manufacturers and service providers. Includes a product catalog of approximately 20,000 products, service provider directory, case studies, reference designs, a DC Microgrid Map, and integration with DCIDE for pulling products directly into reference designs.
- Turn-key DC Microgrid Design & Deployment Services (EPC) End-to-end engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for low-voltage DC microgrids and distributed energy systems — covering feasibility studies, system modeling, full design and procurement, on-site integration and commissioning, and ongoing performance optimization and advisory.
Quantifiable outcome
- DC systems achieve 96% efficiency vs 88% for AC microgrids
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Direct Energy Partners
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Direct Energy Partners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature7 records
Direct Energy Partners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association)coreRE+Source PRO platform is powered by SEIA and SEPA, connecting DEP's software ecosystem with the solar industry's largest trade association for clean energy deployment.
- SEPA (Smart Electric Power Alliance)coreRE+Source PRO platform is powered by SEPA, supporting DEP's mission to accelerate renewable energy microgrid deployment through industry collaboration.
- EMerge AlliancecoreRE+Source PRO uses EMerge Alliance's interoperability data model for standardized product specifications. EMerge Alliance leads DC microgrid standards adoption.
- RE+ EventsflagshipRE+Source PRO is the official power systems resource from RE+ Events (largest renewable energy event in North America). DEP designed and operates the platform. Year-round digital presence tied to RE+ trade shows.
- CE+TcorePart of DEP's Professional Network. CE+T Stabiliti 30C3 converters integrated with DCIDE reference designs and compatible with PPL Controller. Joint webinar on hybrid AC/DC microgrid design.
- LG Energy SolutioncorePart of DEP's Professional Network. LG ESS battery systems featured in DEP R&D Lab case study (120kW/296kWh system in Charlotte). Products cataloged in RE+Source PRO.
- SavantcorePart of DEP's Professional Network. Savant Power Storage 20 systems featured in residential backup reference designs. Home backup systems (25kVA/40kWh) demonstrated on DCIDE platform.
- Schneider Electric / CurrentOScoreCurrentOS compliant DC-coupled EV charging solutions. Multiple reference designs (EV Parking, DC coupled HVAC, Grid Edge Theater) created with Schneider Electric. Joint webinar on CurrentOS developments.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Direct Energy Partners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HOMER Energy (UL Solutions): Developer of HOMER Grid and related microgrid design and optimization software used by engineers to model distributed energy systems. Closest direct comparable to DCIDE as a design and simulation platform for microgrid projects.
- PXiSE Energy Solutions: Provider of grid-control and DER management software (PXiSE 360) for utilities and microgrids, including renewable integration and storage control. Comparable to DEP's Power Platform in delivering real-time multivendor microgrid control.
- Smarter Grid Solutions: Vendor of DER management system (DERMS) software for distribution operators and microgrids, enabling real-time control of distributed assets. Comparable to DEP's PPL controller in orchestrating multivendor DERs on distribution and microgrid networks.
- AutoGrid (Schneider Electric): Provider of DER optimization and flexibility management software for utilities and energy retailers, now part of Schneider Electric. Comparable to DEP's optimization algorithms and Python-based custom EMS development for distributed energy orchestration.
- Opus One Solutions: Provider of DERMS and distribution grid optimization software for utilities and microgrids. Comparable to DEP's PPL controller and DCIDE platform in enabling multi-vendor DER orchestration and distribution-level visibility.
Broad incumbents
- Schneider Electric: Global energy management and automation incumbent with EcoStruxure and microgrid offerings. Listed as a DEP partner (CurrentOS) and trusted-by customer, and a broad incumbent competing across the same end customers for DC-coupled solutions.
- ABB: Global power and automation incumbent with utility-scale microgrid and DC power solutions. Minority investor in DEP and a listed partner/customer, but also a potential competitor across controllers, DERMS, and DC infrastructure.
- S&C Electric Company: Provider of grid equipment and microgrid solutions for utilities and C&I customers, including controllers, energy storage, and integration services. Comparable as a vertically integrated microgrid competitor with established utility relationships.
- Siemens: Global industrial incumbent with SICAM, Spectrum Power, and microgrid control offerings for utilities and large industrial customers. Broad incumbent that competes for large DC and AC microgrid deployments alongside DEP.
- Eaton: Power management company offering switchgear, power conversion, and microgrid systems for commercial, industrial, and utility customers. Comparable in addressing the same C&I microgrid buyer with established channel relationships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Direct Energy Partners social profiles
Digital presenceDirect Energy Partners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Direct Energy Partners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Direct Energy Partners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Direct Energy Partners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Direct Energy Partners
What does Direct Energy Partners do?
Direct Energy Partners (DEP) sells a DC-First software platform for designing, simulating, and validating direct-current microgrids, paired with the Power Platform (PPL) — a hardware-agnostic multivendor DC microgrid controller. Its products include the DCIDE cloud-based collaborative design platform, the PPL controller sold under a $10,000/MW perpetual software license plus optional hardware kits ($2,499 Starter Kit, $3,499 Deployment Kit), and the RE+Source PRO marketplace that connects microgrid designers with manufacturers and service providers.
Is Direct Energy Partners a public or private company?
Direct Energy Partners is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Direct Energy Partners founded?
Direct Energy Partners was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Direct Energy Partners based?
Direct Energy Partners is headquartered in Cornelius, United States, in the North America region.
How does Direct Energy Partners make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses (Perpetual) is the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales, software Subscriptions, usage-based Credits, engineering Support Services and RE+Source PRO Marketplace.
Who are Direct Energy Partners's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HOMER Energy (UL Solutions), PXiSE Energy Solutions, Smarter Grid Solutions, AutoGrid (Schneider Electric) and Opus One Solutions. Broad incumbents are Schneider Electric, ABB, S&C Electric Company, Siemens and Eaton.
Does Direct Energy Partners have an API?
No public API is recorded for Direct Energy Partners.
What industry is Direct Energy Partners in?
Direct Energy Partners's product category is DC Microgrid Design & Control Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAAAJ, Microgrid & Distributed Grid Equipment (Controllers, Switchgear Packages, DER Interconnection), with a secondary code of EUADAPAE, Microgrids & Energy Management Controllers (Campus/Community/Industrial). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.