DAEDALOS Showcases Innovative MVDC Research at CIGRE Paris 2026

The DAEDALOS project was proudly represented at CIGRE Paris 2026, one of the world's leading events for power systems and electricity networks, held in Paris on 25 August 2026.

During the conference, Ehsan Kazemi-Robati (KU Leuven / EnergyVille) presented the paper "MVDC Feasibility Assessment in High-Renewable Sub-transmission and High/Medium-Voltage Distribution Networks: A 110 kV/20 kV Case Study Considering Emerging Large Loads", developed through a collaboration between KU Leuven / EnergyVille and MITNETZ STROM within the framework of the DAEDALOS project.

The research addresses one of the key challenges facing future electricity networks: how to efficiently integrate increasing shares of renewable energy while accommodating emerging large electricity consumers, such as data centres and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The study investigates the potential of Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) technology as an alternative to conventional AC network reinforcement for sub-transmission and high/medium-voltage distribution networks. Using advanced network modelling and simulation tools, the researchers assessed the performance of MVDC solutions under future high-renewable-energy scenarios.

The results demonstrate that both AC and DC expansion strategies can improve network operation compared with the existing system. However, under very high renewable energy penetration conditions, MVDC solutions showed a significantly greater ability to reduce renewable energy curtailment and enhance operational flexibility. The study also highlights the potential of MVDC technology to improve congestion management, facilitate renewable integration, and support reactive power management in increasingly complex power systems.

Beyond the specific case study, the work contributes to the development of advanced open-source tools for planning and assessing future AC/DC electricity networks. Building on the Julia-based PowerModelsACDC.jl framework, the research supports the investigation of future grid scenarios, network congestion challenges, renewable integration, and operational flexibility requirements.

These findings contribute to the broader discussion on how electricity distribution and sub-transmission networks can evolve to support Europe's energy transition while maintaining reliability, flexibility, and efficient integration of renewable energy sources.

The paper was authored by Ehsan Kazemi-Robati, Corne du Plooy and Hakan Ergun (KU Leuven / EnergyVille, Belgium) together with Jens Schwedler (MITNETZ STROM, Germany), combining expertise in future grid planning, AC/DC network modelling, and renewable energy integration.

DAEDALOS continues to advance innovative solutions that support the development of smarter, more flexible and sustainable electricity networks for the future.