In the latter part of 2024, activities of the new European project THEUS (Transmission and distribution Hybrid nEtworks with enhanced resilience and robUstnesS) got underway. The three-year project, funded by the EU under the Horizon Europe program (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-01-13) with a total budget of about 6 M€, aims to develop and apply advanced methodologies and tools to support the implementation of AC/DC hybrid networks at all levels HV (High Voltage), MV (Medium Voltage), LV (Low Voltage).

To achieve its objectives, the project aims to validate the advanced methodologies and tools developed on 5 real reference network case studies, such as: the planned transnational HVAC/HVDC transmission corridor between Crete, Cyprus and Israel (Great Sea Interconnector); part of an existing hybrid distribution network in Italy; part of a planned MVDC distribution network in Turkey; the existing HVAC/HVDC link between Attica and Crete; and an existing MVDC/MVDC/LVDC microgrid in Spain.

The THEUS project is coordinated by CIRCE and involves RSE in a consortium of 15 partners from 8 European countries (Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium), including transmission and distribution grid operators, research and consulting centers, technology manufacturers, renewable energy plant operators, an international small/medium enterprise, and a European association for renewable energy systems research.

RSE, involved in THEUS with 3 research groups from two departments TDT – Transmission and Distribution Technologies and ESD – Energy Systems Development, is responsible for two tasks on HVAC/HVDC and MVAC/MVDC hybrid network planning and actively participates in related applications on the Great Sea Interconnector (HVDC) and MVDC parts of distribution networks in Turkey and Italy. RSE’s activities in THEUS are coordinated by Mattia Cabiati of the TDT Department.

At the THEUS kick-off meeting in Zaragoza, Spain, Angelo L’Abbate from the ESD Department of RSE, Alessandro Veroni from the TDT Department and Daniele Clerici from the ESD Department attended to present their respective activities.