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Dear Readers, This edition of Transformers Magazine arrives at a time when the global energy sector stands on shifting ground — balancing urgent infrastructure needs,...


Dear Readers,

This edition of Transformers Magazine arrives at a time when the global energy sector stands on shifting ground — balancing urgent infrastructure needs, sustainability targets, and an evolving workforce. Through the insights from engineers, innovators, researchers and executives, this edition captures these dynamics in depth, offering valuable guidance to help you navigate the road ahead.

We begin with a series of insightful interviews that showcase not just corporate strategies but the people and thinking behind them.

Roberto Solaroli, President and CEO of Specialacciai, reflects on the legacy and future of a company that has grown through technical excellence, investment, and the dedication of its team. His perspective reminds us that even in a highly technical industry, success ultimately hinges on people and processes working in harmony.

From COMEM Group, Andrea Tonin and Nicola Tomanin share their thoughts on the recently rebranded fibre optic production unit in Dresden – a move that reflects broader industry shifts towards digital sensing, data-driven asset management, and operational transparency.

Meanwhile, Paolo Miolo from KEMA Labs provides a forward-looking perspective on the energy transition, focusing on the shift away from SF6-based technologies in high- and medium-voltage applications, which is being driven by regulatory pressure and a commitment to environmental responsibility.

In our interview, Tony McGrail, the winner of the 2024 Best Author and Article Award, offers a more personal perspective. He discusses his experience and the value of open industry dialogue. His work is a great example of the honest, experience-based insights that we are proud to publish and promote.

This edition showcases the latest advances in transformer engineering and diagnostics. In this part of their column on insulating liquids, Vitaly Gurin and Marius Grisaru focus on the surprising effects of temperature on breakdown voltage. This article is essential reading for practitioners who rely on a deep understanding of insulation behaviour in order to make critical maintenance decisions.

Similarly, Bhaba Das’s article provides a nuanced analysis of the impact of transformer impedance on both fault current and long-term carbon emissions, offering a timely reminder that sustainability must be considered throughout the entire life cycle of equipment.

Additional contributions provide practical solutions to real-world challenges. We explore how partial discharges, which are invisible yet destructive, can now be monitored in real time using acoustic fibre optic technology. Another article outlines strategies for extending transformer life when supply chain limitations delay new installations. The innovations presented here, ranging from the use of natural esters in cold climates to intelligent tap changer monitoring, are all grounded in genuine industry requirements.

This brings us to a broader theme that continues to emerge: the central importance of people. The Industry Navigator 2025 conference and our Workforce Challenges research have together helped shed light on what may be the most pressing issue facing the industry today — the availability and development of skilled professionals.

To continue this vital work of addressing the industry’s most critical challenges, the Industry Navigator 2026 conference will take place in Vienna, Austria, from October 6–8, 2026. Building on the success of the previous event, the next conference will expand its reach, deepen its focus, and spotlight the intersection of technology, people, and sustainability. We are preparing a set of exciting new features, including cross-sector collaboration formats. More details will follow soon, but in the meantime, please save the date and start thinking about how you might contribute.

The voice of each of our delegates matters. You are invited to submit your work, share your ideas, or participate in the next conference as a speaker, sponsor, or delegate. Together, we are shaping the future of this industry — not just through what we build, but also through how we think, collaborate and grow.

I hope this edition sparks inspiration, reflection, and learning.

 

 

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