HYPERRIDE DC – AC-DC hybrid grid for a modular, resilient, and high RES-share grid development

DC – AC-DC hybrid grid for a modular, resilient, and high RES-share grid development

HYPERRIDE is a European funded project that fosters the implementation of DC and hybrid AC-DC electricity grids with the goal of developing a modular, resilient and high Renewable Energy Sources (RES) share grid, in view of the increasing distributed energy resources feeding into the grid and the central role the distribution grid is taking on.

The first steps of the project were to:

Define the most relevant fields of application for DC grids, such as local microgrids, grid enforcement to overcome congestions, coupling of AC grid sections;
Specify enabling technologies on different levels; and
Develop guidelines for grid planning and operation, including infrastructure requirements and KPI definitions.

The project involves:

Developing key technologies for DC grid protection (DC circuit breakers –such as Direct Current Circuit Breakers (DCCBs) for Medium-Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) grids- and grid automation (DC sensors);
Creating and validating automation algorithms in a test platform and demonstrating them
Developing concepts and solutions for cyber security and fault detection;
Evaluating the conventional AC grid solutions, especially regarding the integration of RES;
Creating new business models for the products, services and applications developed within the project.

Three demonstration sites in Germany, Switzerland and Italy showcase the enabling technologies within a wide range of use cases, from the Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) component level to Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC). The relevant use cases are implemented at those sites.