Inter-oPEn

Inter-oPEn is a Marie Curie Doctoral Network project focusing on interoperability of “multi-vendor, multi-terminal” HVDC networks in the future. These types of DC networks are suitable for long distances and can begin to be used in the North Sea to connect wind farms and provide connections between countries.

There are already long-distance cables with HVDC technology, but one challenge (legal and technical) is that one supplier's equipment is not currently interoperable with another supplier's equipment. In a network, it must eventually become interoperable, so that a network at sea can be gradually expanded, and different suppliers can contribute. From the legal side, it is important that the legal framework, both public and private, is appropriate to facilitate interoperability and thus encourage the development of large North Sea networks.

This project is similar to previous projects Ready4DC and InterOpera. However, the first difference is that this project looks at the longer term (allowing room for more complex/abstract legal and technical solutions such as open-source technology). Secondly, it links energy law and technology law (IP and IT law), and thus also brings these sections within the faculty together.

The third difference is that the doctoral training network is also aimed at educating and bringing together the doctoral students from both the technical and legal sides. What is needed, in order to properly regulate these networks in the future, are technicians who understand the legal language, and lawyers who understand the technical challenges.

Duration of the project

2024 - 2028

Awarded grant

2,700,000 euros, obtained from Marie Curie Doctoral Networks

Contact person at our Faculty

mr. dr. C.T. (Ceciel) Nieuwenhout

Websites with additional information