Down-to-Earth Theory: Hybrid DC Breaker

Jan. 23, 2018

Gene Wolf recommends video with ABB regarding HVDC theory.

This month, the feature column discusses the DC grid, and the History column looks at the hybrid DC breaker. So, it may be a good time to look at a little theory about that. When I took the European HVDC tour discussed in the History column, I spent a day with Claes Rytoff visiting ABB’s facilities in Switzerland and discussing HVDC theory. It was a very enjoyable day and recently, I found a video interview with Claes discussing the DC breaker. The video is below – enjoy.

About the Author

Gene Wolf

Gene Wolf has been designing and building substations and other high technology facilities for over 32 years. He received his BSEE from Wichita State University. He received his MSEE from New Mexico State University. He is a registered professional engineer in the states of California and New Mexico. He started his career as a substation engineer for Kansas Gas and Electric, retired as the Principal Engineer of Stations for Public Service Company of New Mexico recently, and founded Lone Wolf Engineering, LLC an engineering consulting company.

Gene is widely recognized as a technical leader in the electric power industry. Gene is a fellow of the IEEE. He is the former Chairman of the IEEE PES T&D Committee. He has held the position of the Chairman of the HVDC & FACTS Subcommittee and membership in many T&D working groups. Gene is also active in renewable energy. He sponsored the formation of the “Integration of Renewable Energy into the Transmission & Distribution Grids” subcommittee and the “Intelligent Grid Transmission and Distribution” subcommittee within the Transmission and Distribution committee.