Research & Development Programs
Supergrid Architecture & Systems
We research and develop technologies to overcome many of the DC grid technical challenges including DC grid protection, DC voltage transformation, and power flow controllability in a meshed system or in a system which incorporates LCC and VSC technologies. Principals of the grid architecture must provide for the co-existence of various technologies and manufacturers and also for a stepwise development philosophy. We develop control and protection concepts for HVDC systems, and define requirements for key components of the system.
Designing the technical performance of future DC grids or combined AC-DC power systems through simulation is the way forward:
- DC grid stability involves much faster dynamics, precise electromagnetic transient simulation as well as accurate power electronics converter control systems
- Real-time simulation is a must in order to demonstrate the system’s performance when integrating new technologies into the grid
High Voltage Substation Equipment
We focus on Direct Current High Voltage substation equipment including the many challenges around these technology. Studying the capability of a circuit breaker to interrupt fault currents within a meshed DC network is essential. We develop technologies in association with protection strategies allowing for infrastructure cost reduction while maintaining the stability and availability of the networks.
Gas-insulated substations for DC applications is an essential part of future DC networks. Our research focuses on the understanding, modelling and optimization of the insulation systems applied for substation components design. Furthermore, performances of disconnectors, earthing switches and instrument transformer must be adapted to the operating constraints of DC networks.
Special attention is provided in our research to the development and integration of new solid and gas insulation systems to achieve environmentally friendly, high electrical performance and resilience interruption principals.
Power Electronics & Converters
Our power electronics & converters research program focuses on power electronics technologies meeting the requirements of the future DC grid.
Research covers innovative topologies and control to build highly efficient MVDC and HVDC power converters, in particular for DC/DC conversion.
Industry challenges we concentrate on include:
- Design, development and testing of high voltage power electronics building blocks with high voltage SiC components
- Integration of innovative close control command for better performance and reliability
- Condition and Health Monitoring of power converters with reliability and life-time modelling
HVDC Cable Systems & Junctions
- New types of power flow variation, transient modes and harmonics
- New architecture configurations and deployment (in particular offshore)
We explore and develop accurate modelling of HVDC cables, taking into account physical phenomena of direct current. Focusing on monitoring and diagnostic of HVDC cable system testing. With our Hyperbaric test platform we develop new approaches for submarine links including the technical feasibility of the underwater nodes.
Power Storage & Balancing
When integrating and managing massive intermittent renewable energy, we bank on the usage of innovative storage and hybrid solution. We develop solutions to support grid flexibility including adaptive storage.
Kicking off with Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS), the most mature concept in terms of installed capacity and storage volume where we’ve developed and designed a new hydraulic form ensuring safer behavior in turbine mode during transient sequences.
In our laboratory we test all types of reversible pump turbine in all four quadrants to deliver efficiency, cavitation, or dynamical behavior data within IEC 60193 standard requirements. We focus on developing hybrid solutions either for new HVDC projects or for existing AC framework.
