SuperGrid Institute & GE Vernova develop DC Circuit Breaker
In continuation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed late last year, GE Vernova and SuperGrid Institute are continuing their collaboration to meet market needs by developing a prototype DC circuit breaker into a fully industrialised product.
The project is financially supported by four German network operators as part of an innovation partnership with three European manufacturers, with the aim of deploying multi-terminal DC hubs by 2032. It includes a design phase followed by an implementation phase from 2026. The DC circuit breaker technology developed by SuperGrid Institute has already been demonstrated at power laboratory scale and, over the course of the project will be further tested and developed in order to finalise the complete 525 kVdc nominal voltage HVDC circuit breaker solution.
The project also includes a technology transfer component from SuperGrid Institute to its partner, based on 10 years of research,prototyping and laboratory testing. It will mobilise a team of 6 people for 5 years and will result in the first concrete deployment of HVDC breaker technology for SuperGrid Institute. This is a key technology for meeting the challenges of integrating distributed energy production and electrifying industry and transport.
