Speakers

Christoph Brunner

Convener, TC57 WG10

Gabriel Faifman

Co-convener, TC65 WG10

Highly qualified with diverse experience as Director, Manager and Senior Consultant in Information Systems and Network Security on many projects within Schneider Electric; Wurldtech; GE; Accenture; BC Hydro; YVR (Vancouver International Airport); France Telecom; BellSouth; Deloitte & Touche, and Coca Cola. US Patented Invention for ‘Automated Certification Based on Role’. Product & System Security Office member, in charge of the Cybersecurity Strategic Domain at Schneider Electric; Formerly Director of Strategic Programs and Principal Technical Product Manager with Wurldtech (acquired by GE Digital) for over 7 years. Electronic Engineer UBA, specialized in Industrial Automation; CSS1 Infosec professional; Advanced trained at INL.  Serving as co-convenor for IEC TC 65 WG 10 since 2020. Serving as an SME for the TC65 working group on the IEC 62443 international standards project since 2011, representing Canada (Canadian Delegate). Created and executed the original conformance criteria adopted by IECEE on the current IEC 62443-2-4 certification program. IEC 62443-2-4 certifier for: Schneider Electric’s substation automation solution; Siemens Substation Automation; Siemens PCS7; Emerson DeltaV & SIS; Yokogawa Centum VP among others. ISASecure – Steering committee member, representing Schneider Electric since 2019.

Svein Harald Olsen 

Enterprise Information Architect, Statnett

Svein Harald Olsen works as Enterprise Information Architect at Statnett SF, the Norwegian TSO. He has a Master of Computer System Engineering from University of Bristol, United Kingdom. He has over 20 years’ experience in developing IT solution for the power electricity value chain from power generation and trading to end-user customers. This involves application like Customer Information Systems (CIS) through Power System Transient Stability Software. Svein Olsen is Norwegian member of IEC TC57 WG13 and WG14. He is member of ENTSO-E CGMES expert group and been active participant in developing the CGMES for you in the Common Grid Model (CGM) program that is implementing the EU Network Code.

Jennifer Mackenzie

Lead Design Engineer, SP Energy Networks

Jennifer Mackenzie has worked within Protection & Control for SP Energy Networks for over 10 years. She is currently a Lead Design Engineer, working on the development and delivery of major transmission network projects. As part of this, she is a member of the company’s Digital Substation Working Group, looking at the roll out of IEC 61850 station and process bus as a business-as-usual solution. She has previously worked within the Standards and Business Plan Development teams.

Pablo Humeres

Head of Digital Supervision & Automation, CGT Eletrosul 

Electrical Engineer graduated from the Federal University of Santa Catarina - UFSC, where he also graduated in Master of Power Systems. MBA with specialization in Electric Energy Market, at the University of Vale do Itajai - UNIVALI. Engineer at CGT Eletrosul since 1987 in Florianópolis, Brazil acting in project, maintenance, operation and development of automation systems. Author of several papers in the area published in national and international seminars, magazines and books. Chair of CIGRE B5 Brazil for Protection and Automation. Convener of WG B5.74 on Bus Protection with Process Bus application. Active participant in CIGRE working groups, events and publications. Head of management, maintenance and commissioning of supervision and control systems and automation infrastructure of HV transmission substations, power plants and Control Centers at Eletrosul. 

Klaas Hommes

Director, MFFBas 

Klaas Hommes (1967) is an expert on the Dutch utility sector, he has over 25 years of experience in a broad variety of (management)functions. He has joined TenneT TSO B.V. twelve years ago and joined the System Operations Department (International Developments) as Business Developer. In 2008 he was one of the participants in developing the congestion management scheme in Westland, which has been used from December 2008 until July 2010. Since 2008 Klaas is working as Business Developer European Electricity Markets and has been involved in issues as Smart Grids, European Market Design, Data Exchange, Integration of Renewables, Electrical vehicles and more innovative issues. Klaas has also been chairing two international Steering Committees (MARI and Picasso) steering projects on Frequency Products (aFRR and mFRR). Since 2023 Klaas is Managing Director of the Framework administrator on data exchange (BAS BV) in the Netherlands.  Previously Klaas worked as a manager for Essent, RWE and NUON. Before joining TenneT Klaas worked for Capgemini as Managing Consultant.

Bendic Ritt

Project Manager, Stromnetz Hamburg 

Having studied Electrical Engineering (M. Sc.) at Hamburg University of Technology, Bendic now works as a project leader at Stromnetz Hamburg, Germany. Since 2019, he is responsible for the project “Umspannwerk 2030 (UW2030)” which deals with the development of a standard for future digital primary substations for the distribution grid of Hamburg. Focus topics of the project are IEC 61850, top-down engineering, central protection, internet of things (IoT) and non-conventional instrument transformers. A pilot substation is being pilot from 2022-2024.

Roberto Zangrandi

Secretary General, E.DSO

Roberto Zangrandi is Secretary General of E.DSO. Previously he was Head of European Public Affairs between 2007 and 2015. At Enel, he also served as Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Identity and Image, Corporate Communication Plans. In his background, 12 years with Fiat (Director of External Relations in Frankfurt and Head of International Media Relations) and 15 years an economic and financial journalist. In addition, he worked as an organisational communication expert for a first-tier consulting company for some years. He studied Political Science and Sociology and held a Master in International Associations Management from the Solvay Brussels School.

Tahir Saleem

Senior Specialist, OT Security, DEWA

Tahir commands over a decade of professional experience in OT/ ICS domains with proven expertise in security strategy development, architecture design & engineering, mission-critical operation support, commissioning and maintenance of security services for owners and operators of critical infrastructure services covering: power & water, mining, transport (rail), and oil & gas products. Tahir is currently working with the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority to build, develop and continually improve the OT security capability for the organization.

Jan Kostevc

Team Leader Energy Infrastructure, ACER

Jan Kostevc is working as the Energy Infrastructure Team Leader, dealing with European network development issues, from PCIs, TYNDP and network development scenarios, cost-benefit assessments, to the national development plans and their consistency with the European one. Besides network development, the team is also working on tariffs, gas security of supply and R&I activities of ENTSO-E. Before joining ACER, Mr Kostevc was employed at the Slovenian electricity transmission system operator, ELES, where he worked as the Team Leader of the Operational Support Service, focusing, amongst other, on smart grid technologies

Alex Apostolov

Editor-In-Chief, PacWorld

Alexander Apostolov received MS degree in Electrical Engineering, MS in Applied Mathematics and Ph.D. from the Technical University in Sofia, Bulgaria. He has more than 35 years experience in power systems protection, automation, control and communications. He is presently Principal Engineer for OMICRON electronics in Los Angeles, CA. He is IEEE Fellow and Member of the Power Systems Relaying Committee and Substations C0 Subcommittee. He is the past Chairman of the Relay Communications Subcommittee, serves on many IEEE PES and CIGRE B5 Working Groups. He is member of IEC TC57 and Convener of CIGRE WG B5.27 ”Implications and Benefits of Standardised Protection Schemes”. He holds four patents and has authored and presented more than 400 technical papers. He is IEEE Distinguished Lecturer. He is Editor-in-Chief of PAC World.

Deniz Tugcu

Lead Senior OT Cybersecurity Specialist, Vattenfall

Lead Senior Principal Security Consultant, trapped first cyber criminals (industry spies) back in 1994 by building his own dual bastion host with a breadcrumb honey net. Created (OT Security) results in various business sectors and companies, ranging from finance, United Nations to Global Renewable Energy. Eclectic and curious, looking for new ways to grow and improve security and the world. Currently piloting “FacOTry” enabling Security Automation and Orchestration, for scalable and efficient defence and operation of OT assets. Lives in Copenhagen, enjoys: running , exploration of craftsmanship (ha-ha. Known by co-workers as the CPH pitbull).

Mohammed Radi 

Network Data Modelling Engineer (CIM), UK Power Networks

Mohammed Radi is Network Data Modelling expert who received the M.Sc. degree with distinction in Sustainable Electrical Power and the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Power Systems from Brunel University, London, United Kingdom, in 2012 and 2017, respectively. Mohammed has worked at Brunel University London, as a senior researcher within TDX-ASSIST project funded by EU Horizon 2020 which focuses on the coordination of transmission and distribution data exchanges for renewables integration in the European marketplace. Mohammed works currently as a Network Data Modelling Engineer (CIM) at UK Power Networks (UKPN) where he is involved in different projects that address network data interoperability. His main areas of interest are power systems, Common Information Model (CIM), network data modelling, renewable energy integrations, EVs integration and smart power networks. 

Janne Hagen

Special Advisor Contingency Planning, NVE

Janne Hagen holds a PhD in information security and master’s degrees in industrial economy and management. She has a long carrier as researcher and advisor on societal security, critical infrastructure protection and cyber-security, now working as special advisor on cyber security at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and associate professor at the University of Oslo. She has been member of several expert groups, among that member of the Norwegian Committee of Digital Vulnerabilities in Society (2014-2015). Her speech focuses on how to achieve a holistic approach to cybersecurity across the grid to maintain safety standards and safeguard power supply.

Rafael Santodomingo-Berry

Smart Grid Consultant, CGIWest

Rafael has more than 10 years of IT experience in energy industry projects mainly focused on the adoption and enhancement of international IT standards – such as the Common Information Model (CIM) – to facilitate data integration and improve interoperability in the electricity sector. He has worked as a project leader in large projects for utilities and technology providers, and the results of his work have been published in 1 book chapter, 3 papers at leading journals, and in the proceedings of numerous international conferences.He is also member of four groups of experts within the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Alex Stefanov

Director, Control Room of the Future

Alexandru Stefanov is Assistant Professor of Intelligent Electrical Power Grids at TU Delft, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, The Netherlands. He is Director of the Control Room of the Future (CRoF) Technology Centre in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy. His research interests are cyber security for power grids, resilience of cyber-physical systems, and next generation grid operation. He holds the professional title of Chartered Engineer from Engineers Ireland.

Michael Knuchel

Head of Substation Automation, Swissgrid

Michael Knuchel graduated in Electronics Engineering and has a Master at the ETH in Management, Technology and Economics. He is working as Head of Engineering SAS for Swissgrid and is additionally responsible for the Cyber Security Projects in the OT environment. He was Project Manager and one of the Authors of the Cyber Security Framework of Swissgrid for substations. Michael Knuchel has gathered experience in the OT field leading international commissioning teams for Substation Automation Systems for five years for ABB worldwide. He is Chairman of the cyber security task force of the Electricity Industry Association.

Thomas Sterckx

Expert, Engineering Secondary Systems, Elia

Thomas graduated in 2007 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. After gaining experience as project leader and engineering manager at Engie, he is now working at Elia since 2014. Currently working as an expert within the Virtual Substation department with a focus on the top-down (IEC61850) engineering process and data modelling. Member of B5.68 and IEC61850 WG10, with a focus on modelling and engineering.

Mark Ossel

Board Member, OSGP Alliance, SVP, NES Corporation

Mark B.M. Ossel (1955), is member of the board of OSGP Alliance, the global non-profit association dedicated to promoting the adoption of the Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP) and infrastructure for smart grid applications towards a future proof modern smart grid. With a key focus on security, smart metering, smart grid, grid analytics, distribution network management and smart cities the OSGP Alliance members, including utilities, hardware manufacturers, service providers and system integrators, all share a common goal and vision: promoting open standards for energy demand side management, smart grid and smart metering systems. Mark is involved in AMR since 2001, when Echelon started with Enel (It) the world largest AMR project, and has been involved in most large scale deployments in Europe. Mark has a background of more than 20 years in various management functions in the ICT market (Burroughs/Unisys), before he became involved in energy management, smart metering and Smart Grids in 2001 at Echelon as VP EMEA. In 2015 Mark was selected as one of top 40 most influential people on the subject matter Smart Grid in Europe by Metering International.

Anna Elgersma

Data Architect, Alliander

Anna Elgersma has been working for Alliander (Dutch DSO) since 2017, starting off as a BI consultant. Having personally encountered the problems related to finding and understanding data,  she found her calling in Data Management in 2019 and is now a Data Architect working in the Data Office. She has been working with CIM since 2019, building her knowledge by modelling use cases using CIM and spreading her knowledge through workshops. At the moment she is working hard on making one uniform CIM based model for calculations on and insight in the state of her network.

Thierry Coste

Research Engineer, EDF

Thierry Coste is a research engineer, project manager and technical coordinator in automation systems at EDF R&D. Over 27 years’experience at EDF, he is expert in distribution field, in particularly the substation automation system, telecommunication and Control center application. He is an active member of IEC TC57 working group IEC 61850 and task leader of the IEC 61850 Technical Specification of the System Management. He has a degree in electrical engineering and industrial computing.

Sander Jansen

Product Owner, Virtual Substations, Alliander

Sander has more than 10 years’ experience in the DSO sector on the edge of business/IT/OT and has knowledge of applying IEC 61850 and IEC CIM. Sander is now product owner of the virtual substations team for medium and high voltage stations within the system operations department at the Dutch DSO Alliander. He is partly responsible for innovation in the 61850 and substation domain to facilitate the energy transition. Sander is a strong advocate of the open source concept and is applying it in the LF energy CoMPAS project and LF energy ecosystem.

Maarten Hoeve

Researcher, ENCS

Maarten Hoeve works at ENCS, a cooperative owned by different TSOs and DSOs to share knowledge on cybersecurity. He has helped many of ENCS’s members with performing risk assessments for their OT systems, and with setting security requirements in procurement projects. He was part of the drafting team for the upcoming network code on cybersecurity, where he worked on supply chain security and risk management.

Nermin Suljanović

Senior Researcher, EIMV

Nermin Suljanović is a Senior Researcher at Elektroinstitut Milan Vidmar (EIMV) and leads the Smart Grid group. His work is in the area of IT for power systems, such as data interoperability, semantic modelling with CIM and development of IT architectures for cyber secure and scalable systems. Nermin supports TSOs and DSOs in the design and deployment of new IT solutions, such as network model management and IT platforms for flexibility exploitation. He received his PhD from the University of Ljubljana in 2004 and is an active member of CIGRE, IEEE and IEC TC 57.

Markus Fockel

Group Manager Requirements Engineering and Design, Fraunhofer IEM

Markus Fockel is Group Manager at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design IEM. He obtained a Ph.D. in computer science from Paderborn University in the field of Safety Requirements Engineering and is a Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP). Since 2011, he works in the department ‘Safe & Secure IoT Systems’ of Fraunhofer IEM, and, since 2020, he heads the group ‘Requirements Engineering & Design’. The group works with partners from, e.g., industrial automation and automotive. Projects focus on developing new methods and processes to achieve Safety & Security by Design. In 2019, they supported an industrial control system manufacturer to become one of the first companies to be certified according to IEC 62443-4-1.

Sherif Hussein

Project Manager, EDF

Sherif Hussein is a highly experienced Utility Industry professional with a remarkable career spanning over 20 years. With a strong background in the Utility Industry and expertise in SCADA and Automation technologies, At a top firm specializing in consulting services, Sherif advises clients on SCADA and automation solutions in Transmission and distribution System Grids. As a project manager at EDF CIST in Bahrain, Sherif played a pivotal role in designing innovative solutions for SCADA and automation systems. His passion for cybersecurity in transmission system grids is evident through his active involvement as the convenor of the working group (WG) 14 of the ISA 99 and membership in various ISA groups including ISA 88, 100, 101, 105, and 112. Sherif's dedication and profound knowledge make him a valuable contributor to the industry.

Jeroen Gaiser

Coordinating Cybersecurity Advisor, RWS

Jeroen Gaiser has worked in IT for over 25 years of which the OT mixed in over the last 9 years. He has presented at various conferences and has given guest lectures on cyber physical systems at universities in the Netherlands. His focus at Rijkswaterstaat is on creating tactical and strategic policy on cybersecurity for both IT and OT that is executable and effective in practice. He finished a master’s degree on cybersecurity cum laude at Leiden university in 2019. In his talk he shares insights from his thesis.

Chris Thomson

Enterprise Architect, SGN

Chris has 35 years’ experience in IT with 20 in the energy business designing and implementing telemetry communications.  His solutions have supported energy exploration, transmission pipelines, and downstream delivery in EMEA, North Africa, and the Americas. Chris’ current focus is the multiple telemetry challenges facing the UK’s gas distribution system.

Paul Thomson

Lead User, National Grid

Having worked GB energy industry for over 19 years, in a variety of roles for National Grid and the ESO. Gaining significant experience in Transmission system modelling and data exchange. CIM experience as part of the ENTSO-E CGMES project and subsequent WG, looking at developing the capability to exchange data. Now supporting GC changes in GB looking at enhanced data exchanges between ESO and DNOs using CGMES to facilitate this exchange. Also supporting the LTDS project which is looking at CIM as a method to enhance data exchanges.

Rui Pena

Senior Consultant, E-REDES

Rui Pena graduated in 1989 in Electrical Engineering at Coimbra University. In 1990 he joined Portugal Telecom to work in planning and development of the Portuguese telecommunications network. In 1992 he joined EDP Distribuição as engineer in Communications, Protections and SCADA systems. He was involved in several projects mostly in the area of Control Centers, Distribution Automation and High and Medium Voltage remote control. Since 2000, he was at the head of a Protections, Distribution Automation and SCADA systems division. In 2007, he joined the Development and Organization Division has vice director where he worked on GIS, IT systems and Operations  Management. He was also EDPs responsible for the development of Mobility and Workforce Management Projects. In 2015 he joined the new Smartgrids Operations Division as Deputy Director were he had projects regarding the implementation of the smartgrid infrastructure in Portugal, the new AMI and Asset Management. He was also involved in the business process design of this new division. From 2020 he works at Innovation and Technology Development Division, where he has responsibility in technical standardizing and holds projects in energy transition and smartgrids.

Mohseen Mohemmed

Lead PAC Engineer, SSEN Transmission

Mohseen Mohemmed is Lead PAC Engineer in the policy and standards team. He shares responsibilities for protection and control aspects for delivery and innovation projects within transmission. Mohseen is heavily involved with the innovation team, looking at the prospects of using emerging technologies for current and future projects of SSEN Transmission. He contributed in the first commissioned fully interoperable IEC 61850 station bus substation in SSEN Transmission, which is the first of its kind in the UK. He took his career in transmission sector after graduating from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen in 2002. During his period of work with Balfour Beatty Engineering Services, he worked on all transmission voltage levels. He is now working in the next stages for full IEC 61850 implementation including process bus. He is a UK regular member for CIGRE B5.74 busbar protection considerations when using IEC 61850 process bus.

René Troost

Grid Strategist, Stedin

René Troost, graduated as an Electrical Engineer, and started his career in Telecommunications. After working 7 years at a small DSO, Troost joined Stedin in 2014. Stedin is the DSO for the South-West area of The Netherlands, including the Port of Rotterdam. He is responsible for substation automation policy in Stedin and chairs the Dutch technical working group designing a DSO/TSO-DER interface. Furthermore, he is a member of the Dutch Committee of the IEC TC57 (NEC57) and the Technical Committee TC57 WG10 that deals with power system intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), communication and associated data models. Furthermore, René chairs the Dutch CIGRE B5 study committee.

Giuseppe Martinelli

Data Strategist, Svenska Kraftnät 

Giuseppe is a data strategist at Svenska kraftnät, where he focuses mostly on data exchange with external parties and integration between different internal systems. He is responsible for the Modelling Handbook, which describes Svenska kraftnät’s modelling strategies and best practice using CIM. He is a member of the Svenska kraftnät CIM Expert Group, a cross-functional body with the task to harmonize and oversee the implementation and use of CIM standards within the agency. He is member of ENTSO-e CGMES subgroup.

Martin Greenwood

Technologist – Secondary Systems, TenneT 

Martin Greenwood is a Technologist within Asset Management Department of TenneT, specializing in Power System Protection and Control. A flexible engineering professional with more than 25 years experience in the field of Substation Secondary engineering he has worked on projects Worldwide (mainly in the UK, USA and the Middle East). He is currently responsible for the Technical Specifications for Substation Automation Systems for TenneT Offshore Substations in Germany and the Netherlands, and is also heavily involved in TenneT’s IEC 61850 Standardisation efforts.

Carl Boucher

Automation Engineer, Hydro-Quebec 

Carl Boucher graduated as an electrical engineer at the University of Sherbrooke, Canada in 2009.  He started his career as a lead technical engineer for a consultant firm gathering extensive knowledge in Protection and Control systems in different areas from heavy industry to wind and hydro generations plants. In 2018, he has started working at Hydro-Quebec as an Automation Engineer actively involved in the design of secure and reliable IEC 61850 station bus architecture and deployment in substations along with engineering tools design. He is the co-developer of IEC 61850 C-SAS (Centralized-Substation Automation System) platform which provides extended monitoring of IEDs and network performance.

Emily Hithersay

Senior Industrial Consultant, DRAGOS