Advancing AC-DC hybrid electricity networks

Speaking to the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Anastasios Manos outlined how Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) is preparing Greece’s electricity network for a future shaped by smart meters, distributed renewables, electric vehicles, port electrification, artificial intelligence and increasingly unpredictable climate conditions. HEDNO operates about 250,000 kilometres of electricity lines, 4.5 million pillars and serves around 7.7 million customers, while also being responsible for distribution systems on Greece’s non-interconnected islands. But the role of the DSO is changing rapidly as much of the energy transition takes place at distribution level. Listen to more EU Energy Projects Podcast episodes

In this episode, Bjørn Rannestad, SiC4GRID innovation manager, deep dives into the development of innovative silicon carbide technologies for power electronics. HVDC and more recently MVDC converters have become essential for integrating DC based renewables to the traditional AC grid. However, like all technologies these continue to evolve with new materials and other developments – and it is this evolution that SiC4GRID is addressing, with the development of next generation modular silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors for HVDC and MVDC converters with both cost and size reductions that can increase the efficiency and grid integration of renewables. The project also is intended to support the European Commission’s intent to stimulate a sovereign semiconductor supply chain.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast Jonathan Spencer Jones talks to Spiros Mouzakitis, coordinator of EnergyGuard, on AI testing and experimentation facilities. As a critical sector the energy infrastructure presents specific challenges around safety and security with the integration of new technologies. The latest is AI, and with recent reports of models going rogue, the need for trust through testing and validation – as highlighted for action in the EU’s energy digitalisation and AI roadmap – is clear. Such preparatory work is well underway and EnergyGuard, one of three current projects advancing testing and experimentation facilities - the others being EnerTEF and AI-Effect - is focussed on establishing an open facility for real world testing in a cost-effective and easy way, especially for SMEs and startups.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Jonathan Spencer Jones talks to Tomi Medved, who coordinates the STREAM project on flexibility on the LV side of the grid. But there are challenges in delivering that flexibility to the markets, particularly on the LV side of the grid where there is a plethora of devices – EVs, heat pumps and residential batteries – that potentially can participate and be monetised for it. That is where STREAM comes in, establishing and defining the ecosystem to enable this participation and monetisation of small scale flexibility resources.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Jonathan Spencer Jones talks to Alberto Ogura, Industry Lead, and Marlene Zanier, Circular Economy Lead, at Climate KIC.One of the first of Europe’s ‘knowledge and information communities’ (KIC), pronounced ‘kick’) the Climate KIC is focussed on addressing climate change by fostering innovation projects that drive decarbonisation and enhance climate resilience.And with a whole system approach it addresses not only the ‘visible’ but also the ‘invisible’ aspects of climate change, such as ‘mindset’.