HYNET DEMOS
HYNET technologies will be validated through simulation studies applied to 4 pilot demonstrations in diverse environments, ensuring their effectiveness under various grid conditions.
Guadeloupe and Renardières, France
The French demonstrator involves two use cases:
On the one hand, investigates a multi-terminal MVDC setup that integrates remote areas through a hybrid LVDC/MVAC network. By connecting Guadeloupe’s weak island grid with an AC/DC grid-forming converter, the project will test the potential benefits of stabilizing the grid, incorporating significant geothermal resources from Dominica, and interfacing a 50 MVA offshore wind farm. The demonstration aims to determine how MVDC and LVDC architectures can enhance grid efficiency compared to conventional AC interconnections.
On the other hand, explores the integration of hybrid LVDC/MVAC systems for congestion management in distribution grids. This demo addresses the challenge of accommodating high-power, new applications—such as EV chargers, railway power supplies, and CO₂-free hydrogen production—at the low-voltage level on an AC grid originally not designed for such demands. By implementing a hybrid LVDC/MVAC connection, the project aims to optimize power dispatch and alleviate congestion at high-voltage stations. Real-world testing at the EDF lab in Renardières, using a Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop (PHIL) system, allows for practical evaluation of these solutions to improve grid efficiency and resilience while supporting electro-intensive applications
Montenegro
This demo investigates cross-border grid resilience and the synergy of renewable energy resources by focusing on the HVDC MonIta interconnection between Montenegro and Italy. With a DC converter linking Montenegro’s Lastva station to Italy’s Villanova, this setup facilitates efficient utilization of generation capacity in Eastern Europe and Italian solar power. The objective is to enhance European grid interconnectivity and stability, improving cross-border energy exchanges and integration.
Norway
In Norway, the demo examines HVDC corridors to integrate offshore renewable energy sources, increase grid capacity, and optimize resource utilization in the Nordics. Two scenarios are under evaluation: a hybrid HVDC connection in the North Sea linking Norway, an offshore wind farm, and another country; and a potential reinvestment in the SK12 connection with Denmark to expand the Skagerrak 1 and 2 capacity. This project assesses the advantages of HVDC interconnections for both energy sharing and offshore wind integration.
Cyprus
The Cyprus demonstration validates the HVDC interconnection among Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, known as the Great Sea Interconnector. The demo uses a real-time digital twin to emulate the entire transmission grid of Cyprus, focusing on resilience, inertia, and frequency support. This project aims to address the islanded nature of Cyprus’s power system by leveraging PMU measurements and the HVDC setup to bolster stability and integrate the Cyprus power system into a broader regional grid.
