Compatibility & interoperability framework to facilitate the step-wise organic development of multi-terminal HVDC grids

Multi-terminal, in particular meshed, offshore HVDC transmission grids are regarded as a key technology to realise the energy transition, by enabling the integration of large-scale remote renewables such as offshore wind, and by further integrating different energy markets. However, their development is held back by concerns on compatibility and interoperability. This paper presents a framework to facilitate and allow step-wise organic development of multi-terminal HVDC grids by assisting policy makers, grid planners, technology providers and designers in determining the minimum set of regulatory agreements, functional requirements, technical parameters and project aspects that need to be planned, agreed, coordinated, harmonized and/or standardized to enable compatibility and interoperability of HVDC equipment & systems to allow step-wise organic development of multi-purpose, cross-border, multi-owner, multi-vendor, multi-terminal HVDC grids.