Infrastructure requirements and DC grid KPI definition

This report provides insight in the planned enabling solutions to be developed within HYPERRIDE project. The infrastructure requirements, demonstration site descriptions and definition of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) outlined here have to be read in context with the connected deliverables D2.2 and D2.3.

Based on the availability of Direct Current (DC) based renewable energy resources and power electronics converters it is a possible development to evolve from currently used Alternating Current (AC) technologies to DC grid systems. Some of the benefits are:

• improved grid resiliency
• decreased cost and increased energy efficiency on system level
• facilitated integration of renewable energy sources and DC based loads
• increased transmission capacity
• reduced voltage fluctuations
• reduced control and synchronisation effort
• environmental benefits

Throughout the last decade, DC systems have been demonstrated for various use cases and rising number of pilot installations all over the world. In the report a description of the most no table installations can be found. A majority of theses demonstrators have been established in Asia. With the analysis of these instalments was possible to identify potential gaps for new infrastructures from interoperability demands in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions, means of failure mitigation and prevention, mechanisms of safety such as breakers etc. The solutions in HYPERRIDE as described in D2.3 will be demonstrated in the pilot sites in Germany, Switzerland and Italy as described in the report.

To provide a toolbox for the analysis of the individual infrastructures a set of KPIs have been defined based on the methodology to evolve from available AC definitions proven to be beneficial and adapt those, if applicable, to DC grid infrastructures. In case a gap has been identified new definitions are proposed.