Chris Liebold
At the ACDC Global Conference from 17 to 19 March 2025, around 300 participants came together in Birmingham to discuss the planning and operation of DC grids and hybrid grid structures. In his presentation, our colleague Johannes Kayser presented a forward-looking solution for the grid optimization of high-voltage distribution grids.
His presentation "Short Circuit Current Reduction in High Voltage Distribution Grids using MVDC-Technology" showed how hybrid AC/DC grid expansion concepts can help to establish a more efficient grid infrastructure for the distribution and consumption of electrical energy. As part of the ZORRO 2 project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the Thuringian Ministry for the Environment, Energy, Nature Conservation and Forestry, the research contributes to the safe, reliable and affordable electrification of energy-intensive industries. The results presented are initially based on academic grids and will be applied to the grids of project partner Thüringer Energienetze in the next step.
The conference made one thing clear: the energy transition and, above all, grid expansion are increasingly being implemented in DC. Germany is one of the most ambitious players with innovative projects such as Heide-, Nord-, Nordwest-Hub, Hansalink, DC4X and the connection to Energy Islands.
