Omnipower, INC. New award control number: 3500-1505 DC-grids (DE-FOA-0003499) project title: omni-terminal: power electronics and AI enabled open source MT-hvdc description: the omni-terminal…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded a cooperative agreement to Omnipower, Inc. totaling $1,972,222 on July 28, 2026, under the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy program (CFDA 81.135).

The OMNI-Terminal project develops compact, high-performance power electronic valves and multiterminal high-voltage direct current (MT-HVDC) converter station topologies using wide bandgap semiconductors in place of silicon devices, enabling a transition of the U.S. macrogrid from alternating current to direct current. The innovation aims to reduce the size and cost of MT-HVDC converter stations, increase grid capacity by 3.5 times, and support multidirectional power flows across interconnected grids while improving grid resilience and reliability. The work advances ARPA-E's mission by increasing energy efficiency, promoting domestic energy technology competitiveness, and stimulating manufacturing and software development.

Omnipower, Inc., a small business, leads the project with support from a major utility, a national laboratory, universities, and outreach partners. Work is performed in Brea, California, over a period of performance from July 28, 2026, through July 27, 2029.

Omnipower, INC. New award control number: 3500-1505 DC-grids (DE-FOA-0003499) project title: omni-terminal: power electronics and AI enabled open source MT-hvdc description: the omni-terminal project establishes americas global energy dominance by introducing a new best practice to the hvdc industry utilizing innovative, high-capacity wide bandgap semiconductors in place of vintage, low-capacity silicon devices to significantly reduce the size and cost of MT-hvdc converter stations. The projects main objectives are to develop compact, high- performance, cost effective power electronic valves and converter station topologies that enable a seamless transition of the US macrogrid from high voltage alternating current (AC) to high voltage direct current (DC). By doing so, IT aims to increase grid capacity by 3.5X while fortifying resilience and reliability for every american. Technically, the approach innovates a simple upgrade at a granular level which enables broad stroke improvements when scaled to the grid. Allowing true multi-directional power flows across seamlessly interconnected grids, advancing arpa-ES mission by increasing U.S. Energy efficiency, promoting domestic energy technology competitiveness, and stimulating manufacturing and software development. The project is led by a small business and supported by a highly qualified team, including a major utility, national lab, universities, and outreach, ensuring a successful transition from research to full-scale adoption across the U.S.