SuperGrid Institute

What SuperGrid Institute does

SuperGrid Institute is an independent French research and innovation company (SAS, capital €71.9m) headquartered in Villeurbanne (Lyon metropolitan area) and founded in 2014. The institute is dedicated to developing technologies for future High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) power transmission systems, organised around five research pillars: Supergrid Architecture & Systems, High Voltage Substation Equipment, Power Electronics & Converters, High Voltage Cable Systems, and Energy Storage & Grid Balancing. Its core proprietary technologies include the HyBreak MVDC circuit breaker, a Resistive Superconducting Fault Current Limiter, the 50kV DC breaking breakthrough (combining superconducting FCL with circuit breaker), DC solid-state transformers (10 kV DC/DC prototype for FOR²ENSiCS), and the OpTEAsoft Wind decision-support software for offshore wind farm electrical architecture.

The institute monetises through four streams: (1) testing and laboratory services using 10+ specialised platforms (Europe's first high power source test platform, HV cable testing, power converter, short-circuit, real-time HIL/PHIL simulation, HydroPHIL hydraulic, vacuum brazing, power switches, medium frequency transformer, insulation materials), (2) expertise and consulting engagements, (3) innovation and technology transfer including licensing of proprietary IP to industrial partners, and (4) DC training programmes (HVDC networks, MVDC distribution) delivered in-person and via e-learning. Customers comprise European transmission system operators (RTE, National Grid, SP Energy Networks), HVDC equipment manufacturers (ABB, Hitachi Energy, GE Vernova), cable producers (Nexans, Prysmian Group), and adjacent industries such as rail (Alstom). R&D is partially co-financed by France 2030 and ADEME grants plus EU consortium funding (InterOPERA, RHODÉ, HVDC-WISE, READY4DC, XFLEX HYDRO, OPHELIA and others), positioning the institute as a research partner of choice within the European HVDC ecosystem. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales via direct engagement, collaborative R&D, and consortium participation, with quote-based pricing. The organisation holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, GDPR compliance, and has received multiple INPI innovation recognitions (2018 SME Patent Superstar, 2022 and 2024 PME Innovantes).

Name

SuperGrid Institute

Legal name

SuperGrid Institute

Website

https://supergrid-institute.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SuperGrid Institute is an independent French research and innovation company specialising in HVDC and MVDC power transmission technologies, operating Europe's first high power source test platform and providing testing, consulting, and technology transfer to TSOs and equipment manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Power Transmission R&D and Testing Services

NAICS

Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Microgrid & Distributed Grid Equipment (Controllers, Switchgear Packages, DER Interconnection) (IMAGAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Energy Management Systems & Plant Controllers (PPC, AGC Participation, Curtailment Control) (EUAMAIAI), DER & Microgrid Interconnection / Grid Edge Integration Services (EUAEANAF), Grid Code & Compliance Testing (IEEE/UL, FRT, Reactive Power, Harmonics) (EUAMAIAC)

Keywords

• HVDC power transmission
• MVDC grid technology
• High voltage testing
• Power electronics research
• Renewable energy integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Villeurbanne

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Testing and Laboratory Services: High-end test platform services for high voltage equipment, cables, and power electronics. Clients benefit from state-of-the-art testing facilities for product qualification and R&D testing.
2. Expertise and Consulting: Technical consulting services resolving challenges, identifying improvements, and optimizing solutions for power transmission and grid systems.
3. Innovation and Technology Transfer: Applied research, innovation, licensing and technology transfer to industrial partners. Collaborative R&D projects funded partially by government programs like France 2030 and European projects.
4. Training Programs: DC training catalogue including HVDC networks, MVDC networks, and customized training for engineering teams and senior leaders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SuperGrid Institute is an independent innovation and research company that develops HVDC and MVDC technologies for future power transmission systems. It sells applied research, technology transfer and licensing, high-end laboratory testing services on specialised test platforms, technical consulting, and HVDC/MVDC training programs to industrial customers in the energy sector. The company is organised around five research pillars: Supergrid Architecture & Systems, High Voltage Substation Equipment, Power Electronics & Converters, High Voltage Cable Systems, and Energy Storage & Grid Balancing.

Product overview

SuperGrid Institute is an independent innovation and research company dedicated to developing technologies for future power transmission systems. The company offers a portfolio of specialized testing platforms (including HV cable testing, power converter testing, short-circuit testing, real-time simulation, and vacuum brazing), proprietary technologies (HyBreak MVDC circuit breaker, Resistive Superconducting Fault Current Limiter, OpTEAsoft Wind optimization software), professional training programs (HVDC and MVDC networks), and consulting services. These offerings are organized around five research pillars: Supergrid Architecture & Systems, High Voltage Substation Equipment, Power Electronics & Converters, High Voltage Cable Systems, and Energy Storage & Grid Balancing. The company also collaborates on major European projects including RHODÉ, Network DC, NSWPH, InterOPERA, READY4DC, HVDC-WISE, OPHELIA, and XFLEX HYDRO.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OpTEAsoft Wind Decision-making software to optimise offshore wind farms' electrical architecture, helping engineers evaluate and select optimal grid connection configurations.
• Resistive Superconducting Fault Current Limiter Superconducting fault current limiter technology for HVDC grid protection, enabling rapid fault current limitation without physical interruption of the circuit.
• HyBreak MVDC Circuit Breaker Breakthrough medium voltage DC (MVDC) circuit breaker technology for protecting DC networks in renewable energy applications, particularly offshore wind and solar PV systems.
• High Voltage Testing for Cables Comprehensive testing services for high-voltage power cables including type testing, pre-qualification testing, and development testing for HVDC and MVDC cable systems.
• High Voltage Test Platforms Advanced testing facilities for high-voltage equipment including gas insulated systems (GIS/GIL), cable accessories, and insulation materials testing.
• Power Converter Testing Testing services for power electronic converters including efficiency measurements, thermal testing, and performance characterization for MVDC and HVDC applications.
• Short-Circuit Testing High-power short-circuit testing capabilities for validating the performance and safety of electrical equipment under fault conditions.
• Real-Time Simulation Testing Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) simulation platforms for testing power system components in real-time with simulated grid conditions.
• HydroPHIL Hydraulic Machines Test Platform Specialized hydraulic testing facilities including HydroPHIL platform for testing hydropower plant equipment and hydraulic machinery for power generation.
• Expertise & Consulting Services Technical consulting services for power transmission challenges, including grid architecture studies, insulation coordination, and HVDC/MVDC system optimization.
• Innovation & Technology Transfer Applied research, innovation, and technology transfer services for developing and licensing new power transmission technologies.
• HVDC Networks Training Professional training on HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) transmission technologies covering system design, operation, and grid integration, delivered in-person and via e-learning.
• MVDC Networks Training Training on Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) distribution networks and components for renewable energy integration applications, delivered in-person and via e-learning.

Quantifiable outcome

• First 50kV DC breaking achieved by combining superconducting fault current limiter with circuit breaker
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• RHODÉ Consortium (Seven French Industrial and Research Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026Seven French industrial and research partners launched RHODÉ project for developing high-power HVDC grid connections for large-scale offshore wind in deep waters. Project awarded €16m grant from France 2030 via ADEME. Target: first floating HVDC connections by 2040.
• GE VernovacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2024Collaboration focused on meeting HVDC circuit breaker market needs. Joint development of technology solutions for DC grid protection systems.
• RTEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 July 2023Partnership agreement signed for decarbonisation of the electricity industry. Collaboration began with four initial joint research actions focused on power transmission innovation and HVDC technology development.
• MasterGridcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 July 2023Three-party partnership with SuperGrid Institute and RTE for decarbonisation of the electricity industry. MasterGrid contributes expertise in power system simulation and grid analysis.
• North Sea Wind Power Hub ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in pre-FEED studies for the North Sea Wind Power Hub programme, providing technical contributions on HVDC grid building blocks, DC protection requirements, and power loss assessments for multi-terminal DC grids.
• InterOPERA ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablishing foundations for multi-vendor, multi-terminal HVDC systems. Contributing functional requirements and interoperability specifications for European HVDC projects.
• NexansmajorTechnology or IntegrationConducted first transient overvoltage test on 525kV DC cable system. Collaboration on HVDC cable testing and qualification procedures.
• Prysmian GroupmajorTechnology or IntegrationEvaluating 640 kV DC SF6 free cable termination. Collaboration on high voltage cable technology development and testing.
• FEBUS OpticsmajorTechnology or IntegrationJoint study on use of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for partial discharge detection in high-voltage power cables. Sensor development collaboration.
• Wind Power AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance with bcom, France Energies Marines, and Jules Verne for developing marine renewable energies and wind power technologies.
• National Grid Electricity TransmissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in European projects including InterOPERA and other HVDC interoperability initiatives for multi-vendor multi-terminal DC grids.
• SP Energy NetworksmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on HVDC technology development and network innovation projects within European research programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• KEMA Labs (CESI): Independent high-power testing laboratories for power transmission and distribution equipment, offering type testing, short-circuit and HVDC cable qualification. Direct competitor to SuperGrid's HV test platforms and cable/converter test services for utilities and OEMs.
• DNV: Global testing, inspection and certification provider with strong energy and power systems practices, including HVDC cable and subsea cable qualification. Competes with SuperGrid in independent verification, testing services and standards development for the energy sector.
• TÜV Rheinland: Independent testing, inspection and certification body covering high-voltage and power electronics equipment. Overlaps with SuperGrid's HV equipment testing, type testing and grid code compliance services for transmission OEMs and TSOs.

Regional players

• Fraunhofer IEE (Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology): German applied research institute focused on energy system technology, grid integration of renewables, power electronics and HVDC. Comparable to SuperGrid in mission and customer base (TSOs and OEMs) but based in Germany and structured as a non-profit research institute.
• SINTEF Energy: Norwegian applied research institute with strong power systems, HVDC and offshore grid laboratories. Closely comparable to SuperGrid in combining lab-based testing, applied R&D and industry partnerships, primarily serving Nordic and European TSOs and OEMs.
• DTU Wind and Energy Systems: Department at the Technical University of Denmark conducting power systems, HVDC and offshore wind research with significant laboratory infrastructure. Comparable as an independent European research entity serving TSOs and OEMs on DC grid and renewable integration challenges.
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology: Swedish technical university with leading HVDC and power systems research groups (e.g., ABB-funded labs) producing high-impact publications and patents. Comparable to SuperGrid's HVDC research output and participation in European collaborative projects.
• EnergyVille: Belgian research collaboration focused on sustainable energy and smart grids, including power electronics and HVDC integration. Overlaps with SuperGrid's smart-grid and renewable integration research and EU-funded project participation.

Broad incumbents

• Hitachi Energy: Global leader in HVDC systems, grid integration and power transmission equipment, and a named reference customer and partner of SuperGrid. Much larger and commercially focused; competes indirectly by internalizing HVDC R&D and absorbing the testing demand that SuperGrid also services.
• Siemens Energy: Major OEM of HVDC systems, grid technologies and power transmission equipment with substantial in-house R&D and global testing facilities. Indirectly comparable as both a potential partner and competitor for SuperGrid across HVDC technology development and qualification.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/supergridinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/supergrid-institute
• Xx.com/SuperGridInst

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SuperGrid Institute