My academic secondment was conducted at the Technische Universität Braunschweig (TUBS), within the Elenia Institute for High Voltage Technology and Power Systems (Faculty 5). The purpose was to strengthen my understanding of the technical and modelling aspects of multi-vendor, multi-terminal HVDC systems, which are central to my PhD research in energy law. The secondment lasted three months and was supervised by Dr.-Ing. Melanie Hoffmann. This experience was particularly relevant for linking regulatory questions with technical system design and interoperability challenges.

It was especially valuable to engage with researchers from diverse academic backgrounds working on a wide range of topics, not limited to offshore HVDC but also broader transmission system challenges. I was exposed to various collaborative projects between academia and industrial partners aimed at advancing the energy transition. This highlighted the complexity of the field and the numerous technical, regulatory, and operational challenges that require close cooperation between academic research and industry expertise.

During my time at TU Braunschweig, I worked closely with fellow PhD researchers involved in the Inter-oPEn project. I engaged in discussions on modelling approaches, interoperability, and system behaviour in HVDC systems. This allowed me to better understand the technical assumptions underlying system design. I also contributed a legal perspective to discussions, particularly regarding roles and responsibilities in multi-vendor HVDC systems, as well as regulatory considerations related to cybersecurity.

At times, this interdisciplinary exchange was challenging, as we did not always share the same terminology and similar concepts could have different meanings depending on the disciplinary perspective. However, I found this particularly enriching, as it provided insight into how engineers approach problems in a more practical and solution-oriented manner. Engaging with these perspectives helped bridge the gap between legal and technical viewpoints and deepened my appreciation of how theoretical frameworks are applied in practice.

This academic secondment enhanced my understanding of the technical and modelling aspects of HVDC systems, which is essential for developing relevant regulatory frameworks. It strengthened my ability to engage with engineers and improved my interdisciplinary communication skills.

Moreover, it was my first experience being fully immersed in a non-legal academic environment, which I found both challenging and rewarding. It broadened my academic perspective and allowed me to better appreciate how different disciplines contribute to addressing complex energy transition challenges.

Written by Donia Ayari.