That’s the challenge at the heart of Network DC, a collaborative project built around one breakthrough technology: DC circuit breakers (DCCBs).

The project’s vision is to create a direct current (DC) network linking multiple offshore wind farms and onshore systems through a single DC hub. Eliminating unnecessary conversions between DC and alternating current (AC) reduces the need for costly substations along the coast and simplifies the redistribution of power across regions.

To make this vision a reality, Network DC worked hand in hand with a UK based consortium to test technical requirements and build a clear regulatory framework. SuperGrid Institute played a leading role by designing protection systems and carrying out techno-economic studies of the UK’s future DC hub switching station.

Ofgem SIF Discovery project: Network-DC ©  Innovate UK

The purpose of Network DC is to introduce innovative DC Circuit Breaker (DCCB) technology to Great Britain’s next generation power grid. It is equally important that the results are shared with industry partners in order to build confidence in the technology and accelerate its adoption.

The programme unfolds in three distinct phases, each with its own objectives. SuperGrid Institute has actively contributed to the Alpha phase and has just concluded the Beta phase.

To move the technology closer to real-world use, the project tested DCCB control and protection in realistic conditions with detailed simulations of the UK network. Using the planned DC switching station at Peterhead as a case study, the results are helping to define UK standards and pave the way for deployment.

This stage of the project focused on designing protection systems using advanced simulation tools (EMTP-RV software). It covered everything from sizing and designing devices to testing them under a wide range of operating conditions. To ensure reliability, different types of faults were simulated at multiple locations.

One of the key findings is the flexibility of the approach. It is not tied to any single manufacturer and can easily be adapted for multi-vendor environments. While identical settings were used in the simulations to keep things simple, the methods provide general guidance that can be applied to many networks, not just one.

The designs have already proven their technical feasibility through rigorous and realistic simulations. One particularly challenging scenario — a 12-terminal DC network with several possible configurations, showed that DCCBs can be successfully integrated into large and complex systems.

The research also highlights current limitations and potential risks, and proposes ways to make future protection systems even more robust and reliable.

Real progress comes not just from data, but from practical solutions. The lessons learned are already influencing the design of future HVDC hubs and will help deliver a safer, more reliable, and more efficient energy system for tomorrow.

Beyond producing design values, the project has established a design methodology that can be applied to many other projects, strengthening SuperGrid Institute’s expertise in DC systems protection. This transferable know-how will directly support future HVDC hub developments by identifying key challenges early and enabling robust solutions.

Network DC has also been a gateway for SuperGrid Institute to integrate into the UK market and to build stronger ties with British partners. This collaboration not only validates the Institute’s technical expertise but also reinforces its role as a trusted contributor to the next generation of DC grids.