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Hybrid Provision of Energy based on Reliability and Resiliency by Integration of Dc Equipment

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - HYPERRIDE (Hybrid Provision of Energy based on Reliability and Resiliency by Integration of Dc Equipment)

Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-04-01 do 2023-03-31

HYPERRIDE contributes to the field implementation of Direct Current (DC) and hybrid Alternating Current and Direct Current (ACDC) grids. Starting with the definition of the most relevant fields of application for DC grids, the enabling technologies will be specified in detail on different levels.

From the system perspective, grid planning and operation guidelines are developed. To optimize investments for the use case-dependent application of assets available sizing tools are adapted for the field of DC grids. DC circuit breakers are key technologies for grid protection needed to overcome the main concerns related to these infrastructures. Therefore, HYPERRIDE will raise the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the most promising approaches currently available with the main focus on Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) breakers. To enable grid automation DC sensors are developed further to provide field-ready devices to create data for optimal grid automation. Automation algorithms will be created, validated in a test platform and transferred towards demonstration. This also involves concepts and solutions for cyber security and fault detection. In the case of grid faults, necessary solutions are developed to prevent cascading effects. For fault prevention databases are created to trigger preventive measures.

With demonstrations in three countries – Aachen, Germany, Lausanne, Switzerland, and Terni, Italy – HYPERRIDE will showcase relevant and above-mentioned enabling technologies within a wide range of use cases. The benefits of the solutions will be evaluated, especially the integration potential of renewables and electric vehicle charging with respect to conventional AC grids. Finally, business models are created for the products, services, and applications in HYPERRIDE. Consequently, the project will actively identify and provide solutions to overcome barriers for a successful roll-out of new infrastructure concepts throughout Europe.  
From the beginning of the project to the end of the second project period the following main results were achieved:

Planning and Operation Activities:
• The “Component Sizing Tool“, “MV and LVDC components model library“, and “Hybrid AC/DC data models for interoperability“ tools were developed.
• “AC/DC and DC/DC converters analysis and definition for their application in a real Distribution Grid" and "Pilot set-up & test specifications“ were completed. Basic system models of the three demonstrators were created.

Protection, Automation/ICT, and Enabling Technologies:
• “Control algorithms implementation for LVACDC Active Frontend“, “HYPERRIDE ICT platform specification", and "Control Layer Based Control Algorithms“ were created.
• “DC arc simulation workflow“, “Requirements on MV DC circuit breakers“, and “Control Layer Based Control Algorithms“ were completed.
• “Microgrid MV DCCB 5kV prototype (designed and laboratory tested) “, “Microgrid MV DC CB ICT“, and “DC Measurement Unit as prototype“ with demonstration results were created.
• “FIWARE IoA Agent based Sensing Monitoring infrastructure layer”, “Technical and cyber contingencies prediction and detection”, and “Open HYPERRIDE ICT platform (preliminary version)” were completed.
• “Monitoring & control automation architecture for Hybrid AC/DC Distribution” was created.

Swiss demo (EPFL) results:
• Four Active Frond End converters were developed and integrated.
• One Dual Active Bridge converter has been developed for integration into the DC network.
• A linear state estimation for hybrid ACDC grids was developed and experimentally validated.
• A load flow algorithm for hybrid ACDC grids using the linearized sensitivity coefficients was developed.
• A hybrid LV AC-DC microgrid has been designed, commissioned, and successfully operated since 2022.
• Control algorithms were developed and deployed on four grid-connected Active Front End converters and used to enable four DC buses.
• Two Direct Current Transformers based on the resonant conversion principles were developed and successfully deployed between different DC buses.
• Four PV emulators were developed and installed to provide stochastic energy injection into DC buses.
• Voltage dynamics on the DC side, influenced by the interaction between different converter control strategies have been investigated and published.
• DMU units were installed and commissioned on the DC side of the hybrid AC/DC microgrid.
• General and unified optimal power flow algorithm was developed and published.

German demo (RWTH Aachen) results:
• Planning of grid operation strategies for medium and low-voltage DC grids.
• Planning and implementation of external converter and switchgear control.
• Development of a protection concept for medium and low-voltage DC grids.
• To prepare the demo site for new grid setups, the LVDC circuit breaker concept has been improved allowing now for sensor exchanges and adjustable current threshold values.
• To protect the IGBT modules in the converters on the MV side, the concept of the protection diode was developed and tested during an emulated short circuit. Hence, the concept allows for the testing of dynamic grid operation scenarios.
• To achieve joint operation of all demo site converters, a concept for unified communication over a central controller, together with a Python-based user interface, has been developed.

Italian demo (ASM Terni SpA) results:
• Selection of the portion of the existing AC grid to be included in the pilot.
• Definition of the DC grid and control systems.
• Definition of the protection system (with DC circuit breakers).
• The location where the new equipment will be installed has been prepared.
• Photovoltaic power plant with 10kW peak power has been erected in the pilot.
• The implementation of two new conduits and power lines to connect secondary substations to the Active Front End converters has been completed and tested.

Dissemination and impact creation:
• HYPERRIDE has participated in the BRIDGE initiative activities by participating in all working groups, and presentations in BRIDGE General Assemblies and European Commission LVDC webinars 1+2 have been given.
• Project-related presentations have been provided at several conferences and exhibitions (incl. Enlit 2022). Also, a demonstration and stakeholder workshop at EPFL in Lausanne in 2022 took place.
• Together with the sister project H2020 TIGON a positioning paper with planned common activities was placed.  
Dealing with the demonstration of hybrid ACDC grids, which were seen as one potential technology to overcome future bottlenecks of power grids (utility, industry, infrastructure) in energy transition and to enable energy communities, HYPERRIDE aims to

• Lift specific required key technologies and system solutions to higher TRLs (target area 5-8),
• Collect essential operational experience with these technologies,
• Highlight benefits and cost-effective solutions for relevant use cases,
• Trigger manufacturers to step in recently with product developments and standardization work, and
• Foster on a mid-term perspective further investment in the field for a successful roll-out over Europe.

Therefore, knowledge transfer across European (via BRIDGE and other channels) and international pilot projects and initiatives is crucial to lift synergies and therefore accelerate the technology development and standardization process and include relevant stakeholders’ interests.
Project flyer
BRIDGE brochure 2021
Virtual Enlit 2021 booth
Stakeholder workshop in 2022 at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland
European Researchers' Night 2022 booth in Vienna, Austria
Project logo
Virtual IEEE SG4SC 2021 booth
Enlit 2022 booth in Frankfurt, Germany
Project poster
Project presentation at SGTech Week 2023 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands