In this episode of Energy Talks, Marcus Stenner, who is a field engineer and CEO at the power system testing service provider Hubert Göbel GmbH in Germany, shares his insights into ensuring user safety during electrical testing. He describes the essential testing preparation steps, like staff training and risk assessments; he emphasizes how implementing safety measures optimizes the efficiency of testing workflows; and he highlights the advanced safety features of the latest generation of OMICRON testing technology, such as the CMC 500 protection testing device.

In this episode of Energy Talks, OMICRON product manager Michael Rädler introduces the new OMICRON CPX 200, which sets new standards in power system testing. Michael describes how this next-generation multifunctional testing technology was the result of intensive user interaction and an ecosystem approach to product development. Michael highlights the innovative CPX 200 features in the areas of hardware, modularity, performance, software, safety and data analysis and how these take power system testing to a higher level to meet user requirements today and beyond.

In this episode of Energy Talks, we invite you to our fictional but highly informative quiz show, called Power Titans, to identify actual upcoming innovative features that will set new standards in power system testing. Our quiz show includes three contestants who are professionals with different responsibilities in the power system testing field. The contestants engage in a lively exchange as they collectively identify the ideal features needed for the future of power system testing in the areas of hardware, modularity, software, performance, data analysis, and safety.

Security risk assessments and power systems design take center stage in this episode with OMICRON OT cybersecurity expert Simon Rommer. He speaks with Jose Paredes, Regional Engineering Manager at H&MV Engineering, about integrating cybersecurity into design from the outset, bridging gaps between IoT and electrical engineering, and managing compliance, procurement, and latency. Jose stresses the value of strong partnerships and thorough risk assessments to meet today’s evolving cybersecurity challenges.

In this episode, Daniel Gebhardt, who is an OMICRON PD expert and PD monitoring solutions product manager, describes the various methods of performing PD measurements and monitoring, their challenges and benefits, the types of information they provide, and how they are used together to determine the insulation condition of electrical assets. Specifically, he explains why there is a growing trend of performing online PD monitoring and online diagnostic PD measurements to determine insulation health while electrical assets are in operation.

In this episode, OMIRCON OT cybersecurity expert Simon Rommer speaks with Thomas Weber, who is an Embedded Security Specialist at CyberDanube , a developer of customized security testing solutions based in Vienna, Austria. Thomas shares his extensive experience in offensive security, particularly in operational technology (OT) environments. He describes how to uncover even the most hidden vulnerabilities, including zero-day threats and blind spots, for ensuring robust protection of OT systems and infrastructures.

In this episode, we speak with Vik Chaudhry. He is the co-founder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer of Buzz Solutions, a global provider of proven visual intelligence solutions used to inspect, maintain, and secure energy infrastructure. Vik shares his insights into the transformative and highly effective ways that AI and computer vision can and are being used to handle big data and greatly optimize predictive analytics in electrical power utility companies.

In this episode of Energy Talks, we speak with Juanita Dominguez. She is an OMICRON applications engineer and behind-the-scenes expert in protection testing for electrical substations. Juanita shares stories about her career journey and her insights into the critical role of protection devices and testing their performance in electrical power systems. She also explains why she thinks protection testing is an exact science and why she considers protection devices to be the brains of the power system. Lastly, she highlights future trends in protection testing and the growing significance of maintaining safety and reliability in rapidly changing power systems.

Investments into medium-voltage grids are growing fast, and so are the testing demands that need to be covered by the operators. During commissioning and maintenance testing of medium-voltage switchgear protection engineers must perform a whole range of tasks to ensure the correct operation of the equipment. In general, several test sets are needed to cover all necessary tests. In this episode, OMICRON switchgear testing experts Gerd Kaufmann and Fabian Kolb, give us a comprehensive overview of the benefits of multifunctionality in medium-voltage switchgear testing.

Welcome to the fifth and final episode of our Energy Talks miniseries titled, Why Should You Talk About Incident Response? OMICRON cybersecurity consultant Simon Rommer discusses the incident response process steps of recovery and decision-making, as well as lessons learned, with Dr. Marie Moe, who is a Principal Security Consultant based in the United Kingdom at Mandiant Consulting , which is part of Google Cloud as a global provider of threat intelligence solutions, cybersecurity services and training.

In this episode, we speak with a behind-the-scenes expert in power system testing. Mariana Felix de Souza is an Applications Engineer for Latin America at the cable diagnostics solutions company B2 electronics. Mariana describes how her experience and responsibilities contribute to helping sales partners ensure the reliability of their customers’ cable systems in Latin America with B2 diagnostic solutions. She also offers advice to those who want to develop in her area of technical expertise.

In this episode, we dive deep into the development of state-of-the-art safety functions for electrical test sets. As an example, OMICRON safety expert Florian Rein describes how the OMICRON CMC 500 is designed to set a new benchmark for personal safety – from the initial safety concept to the final safety functions, which fulfill strict international product safety standards. Whether you're an engineer, technician, or safety enthusiast, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to develop a safe electrical test set.

In this episode of Energy Talks, OMICRON instrument transformer testing experts Felix Feustel and Thomas Bischof describe how the accuracy of power quality measurements is becoming more important in evolving modern power grids to ensure a reliable power supply. Specifically, Felix and Thomas describe the role of instrument transformers in ensuring accurate wideband measurements for determining power quality, and how they developed and field-tested an innovative measurement solution for it.

Welcome to the fourth episode of our Energy Talks miniseries titled, Why Should You Talk About Incident Response? OMICRON cybersecurity consultant Simon Rommer speaks with Stephan Mikiss, who is Head of Managed Security Services at SEC Consult and a SANS-certified forensics analyst. Together they discuss the steps of containment, eradication and recovery in the incident response process.

Recent headlines have reported that blackouts caused havoc in major infrastructure hubs, like London’s Heathrow Airport. These incidents clearly demonstrate how being prepared is key to ensuring a reliable power system. In this 100th episode of Energy Talks, we feature parts of a previous episode to recall what OMICRON blackout preparedness experts Friedrich Almer and Daniel Wiesner describe as essential aspects of preventing and properly dealing with blackouts in power grids. We also give you some interesting facts about the last four years of Energy Talks.

In this episode of Energy Talks, Dr. Alex Apostolov talks about his innovative and influential career in both protection engineering and the digital transformation of power grids. Alex explains the significance of the IEC 61850 standard in modern power systems and highlights the challenges in the digital transformation of substations, such as adopting new technologies, the interoperability in multi-vendor environments, and the integration of renewable energy sources.

In this episode, we speak with a behind-the-scenes expert in power system testing. Karolina Molczan is a Software Quality Assurance Engineer at OMICRON. She tells us about her experience and responsibilities and how they contribute not only to the performance and reliability of power system testing solutions but also to the trust users place in them. Karolina also offers advice to those who want to develop in her area of expertise.

Welcome to the third episode of our Energy Talks miniseries titled, Why Should You Talk About Incident Response? Join OMICRON cybersecurity consultant Simon Rommer as he explores the different process steps involved in cybersecurity incident response with other experts from the power industry. In this episode, Simon speaks with Johann Stockinger, Head of Digital Forensics and Incident Response at the Deutsche Telekom Security Operations Center, about the importance of Identification in the incident response process.

In this episode of Energy Talks, OMICRON product manager and switchgear testing expert Andreas Nenning emphasizes the importance of testing different switchgear components, such as circuit breakers, and describes the specific tests performed on various types of switchgear throughout their lifecycle to ensure reliability and safety in power substations.

Welcome to the second episode of our Energy Talks miniseries titled, Why Should You Talk About Incident Response? Join OMICRON cybersecurity consultant Simon Rommer as he explores the different process steps involved with cyber incident response alongside other experts from the power industry. In this episode, Simon speaks with Tibor Külkey from ALSEC Cybersecurity Consulting, a leading OT security consultancy in Switzerland. Simon and Tibor discuss the critical importance of preparation, which is the first step in the incident response process.