Global Collaboration on Transformer Ageing through IERE

In 2017, I got to know more about the IERE activities after reading an IERE report on collaborative research results on power transformer ageing assessment.  It became quickly clear that through the coordination by IERE team very useful contacts could be set up with other subject-matter experts within the other large power utilities being member of IERE.  This led to very constructive exchanging on technical experiences, gaining useful insights and checking the options to further collaborate.  During the 2019-2024 period, I had the privilege to coordinate a collaborative IERE R&D project related to power transformer ageing markers with the participation of in total 8 IERE members.  The interaction with the technical subject-matter experts of these power utilities was extremely useful as to allow to gather & exchange sufficient data as to conclude such project, but also to think sufficiently out-of-the-box which was triggered by the enriching cultural diversity of the participants.  The IERE team itself played an important catalytic role not only looking for sufficient participating members, but also to generate new ideas and continuously stimulating the collaboration while bridging intercultural differences.  Special thanks to Dr. Takei and his team.

–––Profile of Steve EECKHOUDT

Currently Senior Expert within Laborelec, the technical expertise center of ENGIE.

Steve has been working for Laborelec since 1998.  He was in charge of the oil analysis laboratories from 2004 until 2015.  Since 2015, he is the senior expert within Laborelec for transformer condition monitoring activities and advises power plants and high-voltage grid operators around the world on implementing adequate oil condition monitoring practices, transformer ageing and asset management.  He is active within IEC and CIGRE and author of numerous publications related to transformer oils.