Scibreak will be part of a new European R&D project contributing to the field implementation of DC and hybrid AC/DC grids. The HYPERRIDE (Hybrid Provision of Energy based on Reliability and Resiliency by Integration of DC Equipment) project gathers key players in Europe in this field, among manufacturers, grid operators, research centers, and academia. The overall project budget is 8 233 KEUR. HYPERRIDE will raise the TRL of the most promising enabling technologies currently available, with the main focus on MVDC breakers.
Scibreak will develop an ultrafast DC breaker at 5 kV to be deployed in an MVDC grid demonstrator in Aachen, Germany. Furthermore, together with the project partner Eaton, Scibreak will also develop a 14 kV DC breaker, which will be evaluated under realistic conditions. The circuit breaker design will be based on Scibreak’s voltage-source converter assisted resonant current (VARC) technology and Eaton’s proprietary vacuum mechanical interrupter solutions.
With demonstrations in three locations — Aachen in Germany, Lausanne in Switzerland, and Terni in Italy — HYPERRIDE will showcase the enabling technologies within a wide range of use cases. The benefits of the solutions will be evaluated, especially the integration potential of renewables, compared to conventional AC grids. Finally, business models will be created for the products, services, and applications in HYPERRIDE. Consequently, HYPERRIDE will actively identify and provide solutions to overcome barriers for a successful roll-out of new grid infrastructure concepts throughout Europe.