Schneider Electric: Using innovative flexible DC technology to support the construction of new distribution systems

The 7th Switchgear Professional Technical Exchange Conference 2025, themed "Smart, Green, Safe, and Reliable," was recently successfully held in Hefei. Schneider Electric showcased its DC SeT medium-voltage DC metal-enclosed switchgear. The conference focused on the challenges of grid adaptation under the high penetration of new energy sources, providing an in-depth analysis of industry breakthroughs from the perspective of flexible distribution network technology upgrades. The conference aims to leverage digital intelligence to provide innovative solutions for building safe, efficient, clean, low-carbon, flexible, and intelligently integrated power distribution systems, helping the industry to chart a more flexible, efficient, and sustainable future grid.

As the nation's "dual carbon" strategy deepens, the construction of new power systems is accelerating toward large-scale implementation. However, the adaptability challenges posed by the high penetration of renewable energy are becoming increasingly prominent. Issues such as voltage fluctuations and frequency instability constrain the grid's absorption capacity, and traditional distribution network architectures struggle to adapt to the demands of coordinated "source, grid, load, and storage" integration. Against this backdrop, accelerating the construction of an efficient, interactive new distribution network is timely. DC distribution, as a key technical tool supporting high penetration of renewable energy and low-carbon, flexible energy use, is becoming one of the key components to addressing this challenge.

Driven by continued policy support and the accelerated construction of new power systems, a series of medium- and low-voltage DC pilot projects, including the Hangzhou Dadongjiang ±10kV Flexible DC Project and the Zhuhai ±10kV Three-Terminal Flexible DC Project, have been successfully implemented. Medium-voltage DC distribution is not only a foundational technology supporting the integration of high penetrations of renewable energy but also a strategic pillar driving the energy system's transition toward a green, low-carbon, flexible, and efficient future. Its widespread application in industrial parks, large-scale transportation, and other sectors is reshaping the core architecture of future power networks.

As a builder and enabler of new power systems, Schneider Electric deeply understands the core value of DC technology in improving system efficiency, enhancing power supply reliability, and supporting the integration of new energy. It accurately grasps the needs of DC scenarios and continuously promotes technological innovation, specifically developing the DC SeT medium-voltage DC metal-enclosed switchgear. At the conference, Wu Dabin, Product Manager of the Medium Voltage Market Department of Energy Management at Schneider Electric (China), explained that this device, based on reliable mechanical switches and mature vacuum arc extinguishing technology, supplemented by a small number of power electronic components, enables customers to achieve core values such as extreme reliability, comprehensive safety, intelligent operation and maintenance, economic adaptability, flexible response, intelligent perception, compactness, and efficiency, providing a solid foundation for distribution network upgrades.

Notably, Schneider Electric's DC SeT medium-voltage DC metal-enclosed switchgear has also obtained the first complete type test report in China. Its parameters meet national standards and grid bidding technical specifications, and it has been deeply integrated into diverse application scenarios, including AC/DC hybrid distribution networks, zero-carbon industrial parks, highway service area microgrids, and green hydrogen. Through solid implementation, it charts a clear path for the future grid landscape:

• In AC/DC hybrid distribution networks, this device is suitable for flexible switch stations, supporting complex, multi-terminal grid architectures such as star and ring configurations. It facilitates the integration of high-proportion renewable energy generation and enhances interconnectivity between the grid and various microgrid types, including energy storage, commercial and industrial parks, and residential areas, thereby strengthening system stability from the ground up.

• Aiming at the construction needs of zero-carbon industrial parks, this device can effectively support the park's DC system architecture, helping to address challenges such as the difficulty of local integration of high-proportion distributed renewable energy, the complex interconnection of asynchronous grids, and the diversity of DC loads. Leveraging the inherent low conversion losses of DC technology, it significantly reduces AC/DC conversion losses, providing key support for achieving zero-carbon goals.

• For highway service area microgrids, leveraging the inherent advantages of DC technology in power transmission, this device can effectively address issues such as limited photovoltaic grid connection, high line losses over long transmission distances, and unstable power supply to DC loads such as charging stations and tunnel fans, significantly improving local renewable energy consumption and transmission efficiency.

• In the green hydrogen/electrolytic aluminum sector, based on actual project parameters, calculations by the design institute have shown that a DC direct power supply solution can streamline conversion steps, increasing overall system efficiency from 80.1% with traditional AC solutions to 89.3%, significantly reducing energy losses and injecting efficient momentum into the green hydrogen production industry.

Looking ahead, with the continued deepening of new power system construction and the steady increase in renewable energy penetration, DC distribution technology will see even broader application opportunities. Schneider Electric will consistently leverage technological innovation and be guided by specific application scenarios to continuously enhance the performance and value of core products such as medium-voltage DC switches. Through more reliable protection, a smarter experience, and more flexible solutions, we will inject strong momentum into the upgrade and iteration of flexible power grids, and work with industry partners to build a blueprint for a more resilient and sustainable future power grid.