PROSECCO research accepted for presentation at SEST 2026

Two research papers from the PROSECCO project have been accepted for presentation at the 8th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and Technologies (SEST 2026), taking place from 2–4 September 2026 in Ciudad Real, Spain. Both contributions address a key challenge in the development of future high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems: achieving fast, reliable and efficient control of Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs), a core technology for integrating large amounts of renewable energy into the electricity grid.

Improving the reliability of future HVDC grids

The first paper, "Robust Current Regulation of MMC-based MTDC Power Systems based on Lyapunov Inequality", by Victor Daniel Reyes Dreke, Rahul Rane and Aleksandra Lekic, presents a new control design framework for MMC-based multi-terminal DC (MTDC) systems.

The proposed approach is based on Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs) and Lyapunov stability theory, enabling the design of a controller that provides fast and robust current regulation even under uncertain operating conditions. Unlike many conventional approaches, the method explicitly considers practical operating constraints, including input saturation and overcurrent limits.

The controller was validated using the internationally recognised CIGRE HVDC benchmark in the Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS®) environment. The results demonstrate improved robustness and reliability, supporting the development of resilient HVDC transmission systems that can accommodate the growing share of renewable electricity generation.

Reducing computational complexity for real-time control

The second paper, "Adaptive Model Predictive Control for MMC Current Control using Offline Gain Approximation and Online Weighting Adaptation", by Rahul Rane, Victor Daniel Reyes Dreke and Aleksandra Lekic, focuses on improving the practical implementation of advanced control techniques.

Model Predictive Control (MPC) offers excellent performance for power electronic converters but is often too computationally demanding for high-speed, real-time applications. To address this challenge, the researchers developed an Adaptive Model Predictive Control (AMPC) framework that significantly reduces online computational requirements.

The proposed method:

• Precomputes controller gains offline to reduce calculations during operation.
• Adapts control parameters in real time based on operating conditions.
• Maintains the performance of conventional MPC while significantly reducing computational complexity.

This makes advanced predictive control more suitable for real-time HVDC applications.

Supporting the energy transition

Although the two papers investigate different control strategies, they share the same objective: enabling future HVDC networks to operate more reliably, efficiently and flexibly.

As electricity systems increasingly rely on renewable energy sources connected over long distances, HVDC technology will play a central role in transporting power, connecting offshore wind farms and enabling interconnected, meshed transmission networks across Europe. Advanced converter control is essential to ensure these systems remain stable under changing operating conditions while meeting the demanding performance requirements of modern power systems.

By developing robust and computationally efficient control methods, the PROSECCO researchers are contributing to the technologies needed for the next generation of HVDC grids, helping to accelerate the integration of renewable energy and support Europe's transition towards a more sustainable and resilient electricity system.

The papers will be presented during SEST 2026, where researchers from around the world will share the latest developments in smart energy systems and technologies.