Energy Talks

Reclosers have long been essential for protecting distribution networks and restoring power after faults. Today, they are evolving from standalone protection devices into coordinated system actors that combine protection, automation, communication, and control. In this episode, OMICRON application engineer Alex Auman, who specializes in reclosure and protection testing, explains how reclosers help...

In this episode of Energy Talks, OMICRON application engineer Alexander Herrera discusses the basics of rotating machine testing, covering diagnostic procedures for stator cores, windings, and rotors to ensure the reliability of motors and generators. He explains how data-driven insights assist in identifying defects early, optimizing condition-based maintenance, and highlights essential safety pr...

In this episode of Energy Talks, OMICRON OT Cybersecurity Consultant Simon Rommer speaks with Benjamin Floriani and Patrick Pongratz, founders of SecCore GmbH, about how penetration testers identify vulnerabilities, develop exploits, and assess real-world cyber risks. They discuss why context matters more than vulnerability scores, the growing role of AI in offensive security, and practical measur...

Join OMICRON experts Daniel Gebhardt and Hendrik Schleifer for Part 2 of our Energy Talks mini-series on continuous online PD monitoring. Discover how these systems track insulation issues 24/7, filter noise using PRPD and 3PARD technology, and integrate into SCADA networks. Learn how continuous defect tracking and automated alerts deliver the trend analysis needed to optimize asset planning, ease...

Aging infrastructure and unplanned downtime force asset managers to shift from time-based to proactive, condition-based maintenance. In this Energy Talks episode—part one of a two-part series—OMICRON experts Daniel Gebhardt and Hendrik Schleifer discuss how partial discharge (PD) monitoring transforms electrical asset management. They compare offline testing with online monitoring, explain when to...

In this episode of Energy Talks, host Simon Rommer discusses together with his colleague Jaron Stammler, OT Cybersecurity Consultant at OMICRON, how OT cybersecurity risk assessments are conducted in the power industry. Using current substation and BESS projects as examples, they explain the IEC 62443-based approach, key steps like system scoping and risk analysis, and common challenges such as la...

In this fourth episode of our "Experts Behind the Scenes" mini-series, OMICRON Product Manager Dr. Sruti Chakraborty joins us to discuss how the use of digital twins, data-driven modeling, and AI is revolutionizing electrical power equipment condition assessments. Drawing from her global experience, Sruti explains the critical balance between market needs and research and highlights the essential...

In this episode of Energy Talks, Andreas Rauwolf, secondary testing expert and founder of Grid Experte Rauwolf Etec GmbH in Germany, shares his extensive experience in digital energy grids, protection relay testing, and talks about his experimental use of virtual reality (VR) technology to enhance training and field testing. Discover how VR is transforming the industry and what the future holds.

In this episode of Energy Talks, OMICRON technical support engineers Stefan Achberger and Lukas Forstner describe how their global team is on the front lines, helping customers navigate an increasingly intricate power landscape. They also explain how OMICRON’s commitment to customer care motivates the team to invest significant time and energy into every issue, standing by 24/7 to ensure that "ext...

In this episode of Energy Talks, OMICRON circuit breaker testing experts Andreas Nenning and Elias Alber discuss the various methods for assessing the condition and reliability of circuit breakers and the frequency of measurements. More specifically, they highlight the significance of performing motion measurements on circuit breakers for identifying potential mechanical issues that can affect the...

In this episode of Energy Talks, host Simon Rommer, OT Security Consultant at OMICRON, and his guest, Christoph Kukovic, Chief Information Security Officer at Verbund AG , Austria’s leading energy company and one of the largest producers of hydroelectricity in Europe, discuss the critical roles of IT and OT in power systems cybersecurity, focusing on the use of deception solutions to fool attacker...

In this episode of Energy Talks, OMICRON product manager Bavley Farid explains the complexities of data management and the challenges users have faced in accessing data. Specifically, he describes how OMICRON’s new CORTEX Grid platform solution addresses these challenges through a highly structured data model that ensures optimum data consistency, accessibility and compatibility across different a...

In this episode of Energy Talks, Burkhard Daniel, head of software development for OMICRON’s MPD technology, talks about the significance of partial discharge (PD) testing and analysis in high-voltage equipment. He describes the evolution of PD testing technology and the critical role that continuous software development and innovation have played in enhancing PD testing efficiency and ease of use...

In this episode of Energy Talks, we take a more detailed look at power system testing device software. OMICRON product manager Lukas Klingenschmid talks about the critical role of software innovation in maximizing the potential of testing devices and enhancing user experience. More specifically, Lukas describes how new innovative software features in OMICRON’s CPXpert software for its new CPX 200...

Is offline testing in power systems safe anymore from cyber intrusion? In this episode of Energy Talks, Christopher Pritchard, who is head of product management at OMICRON, maintains that the idea that offline equals security just does not hold up anymore. He explains how malware can infiltrate even disconnected systems and be passed on to the substation as soon as these systems are connected to t...

The next-generation power system testing solutions, such as OMICRON’s new CPX 200, are really ecosystems made up of interrelated parts the work together to highly optimize the testing experience for users. In this episode of Energy Talks, we take a more detailed look at one of these parts – testing device modularity. OMICRON product manager Jakob Hämmerle talks about the innovative modularity feat...

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...

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 ha...

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 the...

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 v...

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 o...

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 vulnerab...

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 dat...

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 te...

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, OM...