Course: HVDC technology and HVDC grids (EES-UETP)
Electric Energy Systems University Enterprise Training Partnership
HVDC transmission is a key driver in the global energy transition, enabling large-scale integration of offshore wind power—especially in the North Sea. This course explores the technologies behind HVDC grids and Supergrids, covering design, operation, control, and protection. Led by international experts, the course combines lectures, hands-on exercises, and insights from both academia and industry.
Time: Mon 2025-11-17 08.30 - Wed 2025-11-19 18.00
Location: KTH, Gradängsalen, Teknikringen 1
Description of the course
HVDC transmission is being considered as key driver to enhance the energy transition worldwide. The rapid development of offshore wind power, especially in North Sea, is favoring –and is also favored by – development of DC transmission. Based on the development of modern conversion technology (voltage source converter) the plans for the interconnection of multiple renewable power sources, loads and AC grids through DC technologies are leading to an exciting transmission concept: HVDC grids.
HVDC grids and Supergrids have sparked so much interest that researchers and engineers across the globe are talking about them, studying them, supporting or questioning them. The main motivation of this course is to present a complete picture of HVDC grid technologies and offshore wind power by collecting and summarizing recent technological advances, academic research development and engineering applications.
The course is conducted in three days covering various aspects of HVDC technology, HVDC grids applications including offshore wind, HVDC systems operations and control, and protections. The course consists of lectures, hands-on exercises and live Q&A sessions with the lecturers. All lecturers are internationally recognized experts in the area and they come from both academic and industry.
The course covers the overall spectrum regarding HVDC technologies, including:
- the advantages of HVDC compared to AC technologies for power transmission;
- the key technologies and challenges for developing an HVDC grid;
- design, operation, control and protection of HVDC grids;
- offshore wind power technology, offshore energy islands and synergy with DC technology.
The course is partly based on the books “HVDC Grids: For Offshore and Supergrid of the Future”, edited by the course coordinators.
Course programme
Intended Audience
The course would suit anyone who works in HVDC and/or offshore wind power integration related topics, especially would suit graduate power systems engineers, postgraduate students, power systems researchers who are starting to work in HVDC and/or offshore wind and junior engineers who want to extend their knowledge. This course is also a great opportunity to meet and communicate with the experts and colleagues who work in the HVDC field.
Dinner at KTH Reaktorhallen
Monday, 17th November
Important information
- Students have to bring their own laptop for the practical sessions
- For different sessions, Matlab & Simulink v2020 or newer is required
- It will be possible to work in groups for those students without license or without computer
- For practical session 1, tbd
- For practical session 2, Matlab & Simulink v2020 or newer is required , see doc attached, questions to adria.junyent-ferre@imperial.ac.uk
- For practical session 3, tbd
Sign up here:
Organizers
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
- CITCEA-UPC, Technical University of Catalonia, Spain.
- Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
- University of Leuven, Belgium
Coordinators
Dr. Staffan Norrga (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Dr. Ilka Jahn (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Prof. Oriol Gomis-Bellmunt (Technical University of Catalonia)
Prof. Nicolaos A. Cutululis (DTU)
Prof. Dirk Van Hertem (KU Leuven)