PAN-EUROPEAN INTEROPERABLE AC-DC HYBRID ELECTRICITY NETWORKS

Nowadays, the interest in direct current (DC) power transmission and distribution (T&D) systems among academia and industry has been rekindled mainly due to the proliferation of power electronic based (or interfaced through power electronics) loads and the increasing deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs), which operate intrinsically in DC or have a DC stage.

Reacting to the recent events in Ukraine, the European Commission (EC) unveiled the REPowerEU Plan.

This plan aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy imports by increasing the total renewable energy generation capacities to 1236 GW by 2030 (compared to 1067 GW originally envisaged under the “Fit for 55” package). To achieve this goal, the energy sector, including DC technologies, is expected to play a prominent role.

While considerable progress has been made in increasing electricity generation from variable RES in various member states, additional efforts are needed to reach a carbon-neutral power system.

Within this context, the widespread adoption of offshore wind generation is anticipated to play a significant role in the years to come, as it is favored for its higher availability rates and greater public acceptance.

The HYNET projects aims to: (i) develop innovative technologies for transnational design and planning of AC/DC hybrid power systems, (ii) establish standardized methodologies and interoperability for multi-terminal, multi-vendor MVDC and LVDC systems, (iii) define and validate functional requirements for AC and DC grid forming capabilities, (iv) design, implement and demonstrate a complete workbench of innovative solutions that promotes the adoption and deployment of DC power systems across all voltage levels while evaluating the technoeconomic benefits of DC vs AC systems, (v) demonstrate HYNET innovations in 4 countries across Europe in existing and planned AC/DC hybrid grids.