Radial DC multi-terminal systems with selective misdeclaration by DC circuit breakers are currently not available on the market.

For this purpose, the clients enter into an innovation partnership with the aim of making DC multi-terminal systems commercially available. In particular, these and all subsystems have the following attributes: Single vendor; DC voltage +/- 525 kV; Bipolar with metallic return; 2GW per converter station.

On this basis, the contracting entities intend to award DC multi-terminal systems as turnkey projects jointly or individually by means of individual contracts to those contractors who have successfully completed the R&D phase.

The clients are the four transmission system operators in Germany.

In view of the urgent need to accelerate the energy transition and the integration of offshore wind energy into the transmission grid, the contracting authorities intend to develop and deploy the 525kV Bipole HVDC Multiterminals (hereinafter referred to as "DC Multiterminal Systems") as the next generation of HVDC technology that enables the flexible interconnection of multiple HVDC lines, so-called DC hub projects. This requires new HVDC technology. The first of these DC hub projects are to be realized in Heide (Schleswig-Holstein) and NordWest (near Rastede in Lower Saxony).

The aforementioned radial DC multi-terminal systems with selective misdeclaration by DC circuit breakers are currently not available on the market. The goal is to make DC multi-terminal systems commercially available. In particular, these and all subsystems have the following attributes:

- Single vendor

- DC voltage +/- 525 kV

- Bipolar with metallic return

- 2GW je Konverterstation

Furthermore, the expandability of the DC multi-terminal system with regard to integration and connection to other DC multi-terminal systems (including multi-vendor) will be examined.

To this end, the contracting entities shall enter into an innovation partnership, which will be structured in two successive phases:

1. Research and development (R&D) phase, consisting of the

(a) engineering phase (stage 1) as well as the

(b) PQ phase (stage 2)

2. Leistungsphase

The phases are subdivided by the definition of intermediate objectives. On the basis of the intermediate objectives, the contracting authorities can decide at the end of each development phase whether to terminate or continue the innovation partnership.

Upon successful completion of the PQ phase (stage 2) and thus of the R&D phase as a whole, the contracting entities that have called up stage 2 have the right to conclude a framework agreement with the contractor for the service phase.

On this basis, the contracting entities intend to award DC multi-terminal systems as turnkey projects jointly or individually by means of individual contracts to those contractors who have successfully completed the R&D phase. In this context, the contracting authorities point out that, for technical reasons, the procurement of the first two intended DC multi-terminal system projects Heide- und Nord-West-Hub, which were confirmed in the NDP 2035, is tied to the respective converter supplier of the individual projects.

The "Converter" unit has already been put out to tender by TenneT throughout Europe as part of the 2GW prequalification system and the associated partnership agreement. Other projects include, in particular, the DC multi-terminal systems Pöschendorf (TenneT/50Hertz), Talkau (50Hertz) and Nüttermoor (TenneT) planned in the NDP 2037 (subject to confirmation). There is no obligation on the part of the contracting authorities to award individual contracts under the framework agreement.

In addition to the clients, other companies should also be able to access and use the respective phases (both the R&D phase and the service phase) as well as the results achieved in each case. These so-called "associated partners" include, in particular, TenneT TSO B.V., Elia System Operator S.A., Energinet.dk as well as third parties who are affiliated companies within the meaning of § 15 AktG et seq. in relation to a client or who are future project partners of one or more clients. The "Associated Partners" should be entitled to call and use accordingly.