University of wisconsin-madison. New award control number: 3499-1535 FOA number: DE-FOA-0003499 (DC-grids) project title: "multi-port ISO-MMC: a converter station architecture for multi-directional…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded a cooperative agreement totaling $3.393 million to the University of Wisconsin–Madison on July 1, 2026, under the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy program (CFDA 81.135) to develop a modular high-frequency transformer architecture for multi-terminal HVDC substations.

The project, titled "Multi-Port ISO-MMC: A Converter Station Architecture for Multi-Directional Power Routing Electric Grid Superhighway," delivers laboratory-scale prototyping, full-scale testing, and real-time hardware-in-the-loop simulations of an innovative transformer design intended to replace bulky and supply-chain-constrained traditional transformers. The work aims to reduce substation size and cost while establishing commercialization pathways to enhance domestic energy infrastructure resiliency. Work is performed in Madison, Wisconsin, with an ultimate completion date of August 14, 2029. An amendment to this award revised the period of performance effective with the new award control number 3499-1535.

University of wisconsin-madison. New award control number: 3499-1535 FOA number: DE-FOA-0003499 (DC-grids) project title: "multi-port ISO-MMC: a converter station architecture for multi-directional power routing electric grid superhighway." this project aims to develop an innovative, modular high-frequency transformer architecture for multi-terminal hvdc substations to replace bulky and supply-chain-constrained traditional transformers. Through laboratory-scale prototyping, full-scale testing, and real-time hardware-in-the-loop simulations, the team seeks to dramatically reduce substation size and cost while establishing commercialization pathways to enhance domestic energy infrastructure resiliency.