Next Generation Network (NGN) closes off a busy 2015!
CIGRE Australia’s Next Generation Network (NGN) has had a very successful 2015 with a membership base of around 230 individuals, up by around 100 members from the previous year. The NGN hosted its inaugural day-long seminar at the Queensland University of Technology’s test facility in Brisbane in July with a focus on superconducting and alternative technologies. The event had over 15 NGN members, 20 non NGN attendees and an interactive session with representatives from industry.
The NGN trialled Webex based webinars exclusively for members and these were very well received (including attendance by corporate groups in some instances).
Highlights from 2015 included:
- Three webinars covering Transformer Maintenance (Ross Willoughby – A2), Implementing IEC61850 Secondary Systems in Ausgrid’s North Sydney Zone Substation (Ben Haines, Ausgrid – B5) and DC Traction Protection Systems (Zahra Bayat, Yarra Trams - B5)
- NGN members attended panel meetings, or AGMs for panels B3, B5, C2, C5 & D1
- NGN members provided input to WGs and other material for A3, C4, C6 & B3
- NGN member presented a paper at SEAPAC 2015 on 275kV shunt reactor protection
- CIGRE Australia gave an award to an NGN member for the best paper at the 2015 IEEE PES Asia-Pacific conference
- Working with the API for NGN members to provide mentoring to university students
- Working with international NGN groups - an Australian NGN member will be assisting to manage the Young Member booth for Paris in 2016
- The NGN hosted a forum focusing on the skills required in the energy industry going forward as part of the C6 Conference on Integration of Distributed Energy Resources (CIDER) held in Brisbane in August.
- Working with the New Zealand NGN group to share experiences and ideas on how to grow the NGN in New Zealand
NGN Co-Chair, Jonathan Hancock has stepped down and Alexandra Price (former B5 liaison) has stepped in. We thank Jonathan for his valuable contribution to the NGN. Most NGN committee positions were rolled over from the previous year allowing for a smooth transition to 2016.
The NGN is planning approximately 15 to 20 events for 2016 to build on the work carried out over the last year and expect to grow the NGN membership base to around 350 by December 2016.
If you are under 35 and would like to get involved email the NGN Contact here