Climate neutrality requires the cost-effective and reliable integration of large amounts of renewable energy sources in the power system, leading to the need of wheeling large amounts of power over long distances. HVDC and DC technologies are the most suitable choice to flexibly integrate remote energy sources in a reliable and cost-effective manner. To boost the development of DC technologies, the SET Plan Implementation Working Group on HVDC and DC technologies (DC IWG) has been established, with the goal of delineating a roadmap for the growth and deployment of HVDC and DC technologies over the coming years, through identifying the research and innovation priorities and enhancing the cooperation, collaboration, and coordination between the SET Plan countries. The current organisational support to the DC IWG is based on voluntary work from the members. DC4EU coordination and support action is designed to facilitate the work of the DC IWG and achieve its outcomes and to ensure the information exchange with the SET Plan. To accomplish this, DC4EU will provide organizational and administrative support to the DC IWG, as well as coordinate and communicate with relevant parties, stakeholders, and initiatives. Moreover, DC4EU aims to disseminate and exploit the outcomes of the DC IWG for wider adoption of the IWG outcomes. Additionally, the project seeks to initiate societal engagement to raise the awareness about the significance of DC technologies. By doing so, DC4EU will results in: (1) updating the implementation plan for HVDC and DC technologies to meet the future requirements/needs, (2) enhancing coordination between DC IWG members and between the DC IWG and the SET Plan office, (3) learning from first movers, which refers to the ability of gaining insights and knowledge from early adopters of DC technologies, (4) coordinating national and European research activities, and (5) communicating research and innovation needs of DC technologies to a wide audience.
