Final Newsletter
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the final newsletter of the SSTAR project.
As we conclude the SSTAR project, we look back with pride at a journey that has brought together expertise, vision and determination from across Europe. What began as an ambitious objective, advancing solid-state transformer technology, has evolved into a concrete contribution to the future of power systems.
Over the course of the project, the focus has moved beyond technological development alone, towards system integration and the future deployment of solid-state transformers in medium-voltage DC grids. This shift reflects not only technical progress, but also a growing readiness for real-world application.
Bringing together experts from industry, grid operation, policy and society, the final event provided an opportunity to look beyond performance indicators and laboratory validation. Discussions addressed adoption pathways, sustainability objectives and the strategic role that SSTs can play in shaping the next phase of grid innovation.
Throughout its duration, SSTAR has worked to increase the operational voltage level of SSTs, widening their potential applications within the power sector and contributing to the broader transition towards a more sustainable, zero-emission electric system. The results achieved demonstrate both the technical feasibility and the systemic relevance of this technology.
Beyond technological advancement, SSTAR has also addressed the broader societal and environmental dimensions of innovation. Through a dedicated Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA), the project supported social acceptance of the developed solutions, enabling expansion into additional application sectors and strengthening related business cases. In parallel, a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) quantified the environmental benefits of the developed technologies, confirming their contribution to the decarbonisation of the energy sector and to the transition towards a greenhouse-gas-neutral European economy.
In this final newsletter, we gather the latest updates from the past months and offer a comprehensive wrap-up of the project’s main activities and achievements. More than a summary, this is a reflection of the collective effort that made SSTAR possible, a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration and long-term impact.
While the project formally concludes here, the path towards integration and deployment continues. The foundations have been laid. The next phase belongs to the sector as a whole.
Read the whole newsletter here.
Where we started
Where we arrived together
The SSTAR Final Event marked a key milestone for the project, highlighting the transition from technological development to the future integration and deployment of solid-state transformers in medium-voltage DC grids.
Organised by the SSTAR consortium, the event showcased the project’s main achievements and insights, while fostering forward-looking discussions on the next steps for the sector. Experts from industry, grid operation, policy and society came together to explore real-world adoption, sustainability goals and the evolving role of SSTs in the next phase of grid innovation.