Event

HVDC protection is moving beyond the conceptual phase in Europe, as evidenced by the deployment of the first single-vendor, multi-terminal projects. The next frontier lies in multi-vendor systems, such as the German DC4X initiative.

While protection schemes are a key enabler for reliable interconnection and the scalable expansion of HVDC grids, crucial questions remain open. This workshop offers a timely platform to showcase emerging technical solutions, highlight ongoing developments, and foster alignment on critical issues including protection system design, performance requirements, and interoperability.

Introduction by Sebastien Silvant

Strategic context: The shift to MTDC and the need for DC protection / The 4GTSO innovation partnership, Protection approach for German DC hub projects (Speaker-Andreas Saçiak, Cora Petino-Wagner, Thomas Schaupp)
- Overall introduction: Setting the context of DC protection for DC grids (incl. AC boundary conditions, overall system performance objectives)
- Recap: 4GTSO Innovation partnership for developing harmonised SVMT specifications (provide keywords for OEMs‘ presentations
- Protection approach for German DC hub projects
-What is aim (TRL, etc.) of protection development in Inno Partnership

GB perspectives on DC protection- past, present, future (by Benjamin Marshall)
- Experience within PROMOTioN using an expanded Caithness Moray Shetland-like use case
- Project Aquila and DC network hubs- protection expectations for these
- DC networks of increased complexity- key considerations on the DC protection system required

The DC-protection Functional Framework for competitive multi-vendor tenders. Impact on System Design (by-TBD)
-Technology neutrality, decoupling Fault separation vs DC-FRT functional requirements, standalone conformity assessment
- InterOPERA Demonstrator protection zoning, de-risking at tender stage

The DC4X blueprint - Defining Requirements, TSO responsibility in design studies & tendering (by Andreas Saçiak, Cora Petino-Wagner, Thomas Schaupp)
- Overview: DC4x systems
- TSOs responsibility for overall system design in MV projects
- Overview of design studies done be GTSOs
- What will be defined in terms of protection?
- More technical: examples for approach to protection requirements (approach and simulation results)
The 3 German TSOs 50Hertz, TenneT and TransnetBW plan to tender the upcoming DC4x-systems as multivendor. In a multivendor-setup, the responsibility for the overall system design lies with the TSOs. Therefore, the 3 German TSOs are carrying out design studies to define the protection requirements for the subsystems from different vendors.
This contribution will deliver insights into how protection requirements will be specified for a multivendor project and how those requirements are derived by performing design studies.
As this is a 3 TSO project, the presentation will be done by TenneT, 50Hertz and possibly TransnetBW.

DC Grids resilience & DC Circuit Breakers (by Stefan Hansen, Didier Cottet)
This presentation reflects on the market needs for reliable HVDC Grid systems and the essential technical requirements of its key protection equipment, the DC circuit breakers (DCCB).
Key considerations for technology selection will be discussed, including system compatibility, protection coordination, and operational flexibility.
The session also highlights converter valve and DCCB design innovations, particularly those enabling low losses and resilient overcurrent protection.
The presentation will provide insights into how these technological advancements are driving the reliability and efficiency of future DC grids, demonstrated through measured performance figures and real-world validation.

A fully selective protection strategy without telecommunication for multiterminal HVDC systems (by Bruno Luscan)
The presentation will discuss the fully selective protection concept for MTDC systems under development within GE Vernova for future projects.