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. He also describes the concept of self-learning grids and how it improves grid awareness and response; how IEC 61850 goose messaging enhances grid stability by enabling efficient communication; and the importance of cybersecurity in digital power systems. Lastly, Alex offers practical tips for aspiring engineers.

About Dr. Alex Apostolov

He received his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics, and a Ph.D. from the Technical University in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Alex is currently a Principal Engineer for OMICRON electronics and the Editor-in-Chief of PAC World Magazine. He holds five patents, he has authored and presented more than 600 technical papers and is the recipient of many international awards. Alex is also the author of a book that was published in 2022 titled, IEC 61850: Digitizing the Electric Power Grid.

Discover PAC World Magazine – pacw.org

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When you are out in the field and have limited time and resources to test electrical equipment, you rely on essential performance factors, such as the ease of use, reliability and safety of your power system testing solutions. But have you ever considered that the hardware and software components that make up these testing solutions you trust in the field are developed behind the scenes by experts you may never meet?

In this episode, our behind-the-scenes expert is Karolina Molczan who is an OMICRON Software Quality Assurance Engineer. She makes sure that the software used with power system testing devices function not only as they are intended to, but also in ways that exceed user expectations.

Karolina tells us about her experience and responsibilities and how they contribute to the performance and reliability of power system testing solutions and also the trust users place in them. She also offers advice to those who want to develop in her area of expertise.

We welcome your questions and feedback. Simply send us an email to [email protected].

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 alongside other experts from the power industry.

In this episode, Simon speaks with Johann Stockinger who is Head of Digital Forensics and Incident Response at the Deutsche Telekom Security Operations Center. Simon and Johann talk about the importance of Identification, which is the second step in the incident response process.

Johann highlights the complexities of cybersecurity, particularly in the context of data overload, the importance of historical data analysis, and pro-active threat hunting. He emphasizes the role of SIEM in security operations, the necessity of specialized tools in operational technology (OT) security, and the convergence of IT and OT security monitoring.

Johann also highlights the importance of contextualizing alerts for effective incident response, building a comprehensive incident timeline, and the critical collaboration between IT and OT teams in cybersecurity defense.

If you haven’t already listened to Part 1 and Part 2 of this miniseries, be sure to check them out –

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Degradation and other factors can compromise the reliable operation of high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) switchgear over time. Therefore, it is important to test and assess the condition and performance of switchgear components regularly.

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.

Andreas also describes the challenges faced in testing particularly gas-insulated switchgear and offers helpful testing tips. Lastly, Andreas highlights future trends in switchgear testing and the advancements being made in testing technology to make switchgear testing safer, easier, and more efficient.

Learn more about testing on various types of switchgear and matching testing solutions here .

Andreas has already been a guest along with Fred Steinhauser in Energy Talks Episode 78 about The Importance of Working with Engineering Associations.

We welcome your questions and feedback. Simply send us an email to [email protected].

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 according to the SANS Institute, an organization that specializes in cybersecurity training, certifications, and research.

This conversation between OT security experts highlights the need for a proactive approach to cybersecurity in the energy sector, the distinction between general and specific threat scenarios, and the regulatory frameworks in Switzerland compared to the European Union. Most importantly, Simon and Tibor emphasize that incident response preparation is not just about policies but also about ingraining a culture of readiness within organizations.

If you haven’t already listened to Part 1 of this miniseries, be sure to check it out – #85: Why Should You Talk About Incident Response? | Part 1 - OMICRON.

Learn more about OMICRON’s approach to advanced cybersecurity in OT environments: Cybersecurity in OT environments

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In this episode, OMICRON partial discharge (PD) measurement and analysis expert Caspar Steineke offers a first-hand account of the last 20 years of OMICRON MPD technology and how it has revolutionized PD testing worldwide.

Caspar describes how MPD technology began 20 years ago in response to industry requirements for functionality that had not existed before, such as synchronous, multi-channel and highly stable, repeatable PD measurements with data recording for reliable post analysis.

Caspar highlights how engaging with users, listening carefully to their needs and application requirements, played an essential role in MPD development and has resulted in many groundbreaking features that make PD measurement and analysis easier and more reliable for a diverse range of PD testing applications.

Lastly, Caspar describes the future of PD testing and how MPD technology will continue to evolve to meet user needs.

Caspar has been a guest before on Energy Talks, such as Episode 72 about The Essentials of Partial Discharge Testing on Electrical Equipment.

Discover our universal MPD 800 for PD testing: MPD 800

We would really like to know what you think about Energy Talks and which topics you would like to hear more about. To do this, simply send us an email to [email protected] and be sure to give us a star review on Spotify or Apple Podcast. Thanks for your feedback!

This past year in 2024, OMICRON celebrated its 40-year anniversary of developing innovative solutions for power system testing, data management and cybersecurity. It all started with a vision for protection relay testing and the development of OMICRON's groundbreaking CMC technology. After all this time it is still a widely used and go-to solution for protection relay testing.

In this episode of Energy Talks, we learn about the history of CMC technology from Martin Pfanner. He is an OMICRON product manager and one of the original developers of OMICRON CMC technology. Martin describes the journey of the company from its humble beginnings in a basement to becoming a worldwide leader in protection testing technology and beyond.

Martin discusses the initial development and evolution of CMC technology based on the vision of OMICRON’s founder, Rainer Aberer. Martin also highlights the challenges faced in the industry, how user feedback and teamwork have been crucial in shaping CMC technology, and how they have laid the foundation for the company’s global expansion and development of other innovative solutions used to ensure the integrity, safety and security of power system equipment.

In episode #92, we spoke with product manager Stephan Geiger about OMICRON’s CMC 500, which is the latest generation of CMC technology.

Learn more about protection relay testing.

In this episode of Energy Talks, we talk about the development of the CMC 500 – OMICRON’s new modular, multi-phase protection relay test set and commissioning tool. This groundbreaking device provides a versatile solution to current and future challenges in protection testing and sets a new industry benchmark.

Which challenges do utilities face? How do you develop a test set that covers heterogeneous requirements in the best possible way – and yet is still conveniently compact and lightweight for use on site? How can cybersecurity and work safety be incorporated into the design from the ground up?

To answer these questions, Stephan Geiger, CMC 500 Product Manager and Product Management Lead at OMICRON, provides an insight into the development of this next-generation solution for protection testing.

Get more information about OMICRON's CMC 500 now:

Learn more about protection relay testing here: Protection Relay Testing

We would really like to know what you think about Energy Talks and which topics you would like to hear more about. To do this, simply send us an email to [email protected] and be sure to give us a star review on Spotify or Apple Podcast. Thanks for your feedback!

In Energy Talks Episode 82, we spoke in detail with experts Christian Raunig and Theodor Connor, about the revision of the EN 50522 standard for earthing (grounding) testing. The focus was on how this European standard was developed, the work of the standards committee, and the recent changes to the content of the standard.

In this episode, we dive even deeper into the subject matter and discuss the impact on measurements using the revised EN 50522 standard with Josef Schmidbauer, an expert in earthing (grounding) testing and product manager of OMICRON’s COMPANO 100. Josef highlights the implications of recent updates made to the EN 50522 standard, including the recommended earthing (grounding) measurement procedures to enhance safety and reliability. Josef also discusses the importance of touch voltage measurements, interference suppression methods, and the advantages of the frequency-selective method for earthing (grounding) measurements. Lastly, he explains how modern testing equipment allows for safer, more efficient and highly reliable earthing and grounding testing.

If you are interested in this topic – be sure to listen to this previous episode of Energy Talks: Earthing/Grounding System Testing - Eliminating Harmful Electrical Shocks

More information about earthing/grounding testing: Grounding System

Interested in this topic? Be sure to listen to the following previous episode of Energy Talks: OMICRON Calibrations – Ensuring the Most Precise Measurement Results

We would really like to know what you think about Energy Talks and which topics you would like to hear more about. To do this, simply send us an email to [email protected] and be sure to give us a star review on Spotify or Apple Podcast. Thanks for your feedback!

Have you ever wondered why and how often you should calibrate your power system testing devices to ensure they perform at their best?

Calibration is the key to maintaining accuracy and reliability of power system testing devices. Whether you are a regular testing device user, managing a fleet of testing solutions, ensuring the precision of manufacturing equipment, or simply curious about how often it makes sense to send a testing device back for calibration - we have you covered!

In this episode, Lisa Gruber, Product Manager for Product Servicing at OMICRON, highlights the importance of regular calibration for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of power system testing equipment, and the factors that determine how often testing devices should be calibrated.

Lisa also explains the differences between factory and ISO/IEC 17025 calibrations, emphasizing the significance of choosing the right calibration service. As an example, Lisa describes how OMICRON handles this essential area for its customers.

More information about calibration services at OMICRON can be found here: Technical Support

Interested in this topic? Be sure to listen to the following previous episode of Energy Talks: OMICRON Calibrations – Ensuring the Most Precise Measurement Results

We would really like to know what you think about Energy Talks and which topics you would like to hear more about. To do this, simply send us an email to [email protected] and be sure to give us a star review on Spotify or Apple Podcast. Thanks for your feedback!