The ongoing transformation of the European energy sector is crucial to reduce CO2 emissions and increase security of supply and independence from energy imports. A pillar of this transformation is increased power generation from renewable resources, especially wind power and photovoltaics, but also electrification of the heating and mobility sector. These generators and consumers of electrical energy are increasingly connected to the power grid via power electronic converters. Furthermore, DC lines and subnetworks are built to reduce power conversion losses and achieve cost-efficient network strengthening. Due to these trends, power systems are increasingly hybrid AC/DC systems, and their dynamic is highly influenced by power electronic devices. Maintaining system stability and situation awareness in such hybrid systems is a challenge for system operators on distribution and transmission level and creates a need for SCADA systems that are adaptable and help operators to tackle the challenges posed by the rapid transformation of the grids. InterSCADA is committed to developing and providing an open-source, vendor-independent SCADA system for operators. This will enable them to quickly adapt to sudden system perturbations, implement new monitoring and control functions, and maintain situational awareness. The InterSCADA platform will implement a set of relevant functions as microservices, creating a modular SCADA system for system operators. The InterSCADA solutions will be deployed and tested in demonstration sites in four different countries, involving both distribution and transmission system operators. Furthermore, InterSCADA will provide recommendations to grid codes and standards for hybrid AC/DC systems, aiming to facilitate the transformation of the power grid while ensuring the maintenance of stability and reliability.

The use of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere must be minimised as fast as possible to reach a climate-neutral society by 2050. A vital prerequisite of the de-carbonisation is the rapid growth of renewables. In 2050 more than 60 % of electrical power is expected to come from wind and solar, both significantly more remote located than traditional thermal power generation. To achieve this, efficient grid-integration of renewables across Europe and globally requires the development of high-power transmission systems and components, and more specifically Medium Voltage DC (MVDC) and High Voltage DC (HVDC) switchgear. In existing grids MVAC and HVAC switchgear is filled with the insulation gas SF6, the world's most potent GHG with a global warming potential (GWP) of 24 300. SF6-emissions due to leakages during gas handling or defective sealings / compartments represents a significant part of the grid owners' total GHG emissions. MISSION project will develop and demonstrate three SF6-free products as key-levers for climate neutral power transmission based on the requirements defined by TSOs, filling critical gaps in future hybrid ACDC grids: 1. SF6-free HVAC circuit breaker will be developed and type tested by Siemens Energy and installed and demonstrated by Statnett in Norway and RTE in France reaching TRL 8, 2. SF6-free HVDC GIS will be developed and type tested by Siemens Energy in Germany reaching TRL 8, 3. MVDC circuit breaker will be developed and tested in relevant environment by G&W reaching TRL 6. In addition, MISSION will determine technical properties of different SF6-alternatives for application in AC and DC switchgear for high and medium voltage operation. MISSION will contribute to enable emission-free energy transmission and switchgear technology transition for a resilient and sustainable future electric grid.

Towards a dominant renewable energy generation scenario in the EU, it is key to modernise transmission systems for an efficient transport of the energy produced. The deployment of HVDC systems plays a crucial role in enabling electricity transmission over long distances with minimal losses. There is the need to bring new cable technologies that can increase the life cycle of future HVDC systems, and longer reach, more precise, easy to install sensor-based technologies to analyse cable status and locate potential faults. EasyDC-FOS project will commit to demonstrating a new generation of HV cable systems with optimised energy transport capability and longer life period, due to the use of an alternative XLPE insulation material, paired with the development of a series of smart tools for monitoring ageing and efficient fault detection in transmission networks, and reaching a TRL5 by the involvement of 3 demonstrators, 1 test bench and 2 real-world use cases, in different EU countries. This will be achieved by the: 1) optimisation of insulation materials for HVDC cables with operating temperature over 90ºC; 2) development of predictive models of physics and ageing behaviour of new cable system in response to thermal, acoustic and electric field stress stimulus; 3) prototyping of a set of fibre-based DTS, DAS, point vibration, and PD monitoring systems for long-distance cable corridors; and 4) integration into a cybersecure Edge Infrastructure that will allow real-time monitoring of cable conditions, as well as immediate response from TSOs, satisfying the KPIs in terms of system efficiency and stability, lifetime and thermal capacity assessment, and the accuracy of the sensors. For that purpose, EasyDC-FOS is bringing together a wide experienced consortium led by LMK, involving leading industrial technology developers of cables systems, a cable OEM, academic institutions, two TSOs, a key sector association, and sustainability and management experts at European level.