Co-funded by the
European Union
HiBreak
SCiBreak’s breaker technology combines mechanical breaking elements and power electronics and is based on standard power components, this helps to lower costs substantially.
CommercialisedUltra-fast electric circuit breakers for medium and high voltage
Fewer power electronics components (less than 20% vs hybrid breaker).
The need
Power transmission capabilities must be radically extended, replacing alternating current (AC) with high voltage direct current (HVDC). HVDC requires stable protection equipment such as circuit breakers and is thus very costly.
The solution
SCiBreak’s technology combines power electronics and mechanical interrupting elements and allows for safe and fault-tolerant operation of HVDC grids at a substantially lower cost compared to existing breaker solutions. This is particularly important in an HVDC grid since the fault currents are not limited and a fault, if not isolated, will rapidly lead to the collapse of the entire grid.
The value proposition
• Allows for safe and fault-tolerant operation of HVDC grids.
• Minimises the distortion caused by grid fault.
• Substantially less costly than alternative hybrid solution.