Power Pulse

Around the world, industries strive to reduce their environmental impact and retrofitting aging high-voltage equipment is proving to be a smart and cost-effective choice. 

It’s just like when your phone gets a boost with a system update, retrofitting old equipment lets you make it more efficient and sustainable without throwing it all away. It’s about keeping what works and making it even better. 

In this episode, we dive into the world of retrofit solutions, focusing on their pivotal role in sustainability. Martin Apfl, Global Product Marketing Manager for High Voltage Service at Hitachi Energy, shares excellent insights into how industries are giving aging infrastructure a second life with innovative retrofit solutions such as the EconiQ™ Retrofill. 

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Martin Apfl is the Global Product Marketing Manager for High Voltage Service at Hitachi Energy. 

As a mechatronics engineer with a master’s degree in general management and 17 impressive years at Hitachi Energy, Martin has a solid foundation and strong technical background. His dedication to innovative technology is matched by his drive to improve the efficiency and reliability of energy networks. The diversity of people and thought is what he loves most about his work – he thrives on the opportunity to connect with individuals from all walks of life and collaborate on unique solutions. 

Outside of work, you can find Martin spending time with his family or indulging in his love for classic films, particularly those by Quentin Tarantino, the Cohen brothers, or Francis Ford Coppola. One film he'll never get tired of is ‘The Godfather’ trilogy, having watched it more than 10 times.

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes. 

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information. 

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy.  

When we say that EconiQ™ is at the forefront of sustainable innovation, we truly mean it and, in this episode, we’re bringing receipts! 

This one is dedicated to all design engineers out there who want to know why EconiQ is the standout champion when it comes to SF6-free solutions. Together with Amaya Lago, Territory Marketing Manager for the High Voltage Products business unit at Hitachi Energy, we break down what makes EconiQ the best choice in the market, and how it was thoughtfully designed to meet today’s challenges while anticipating the needs of tomorrow. 

A note to our listeners: This episode was recorded a few months ago and makes reference to information that has changed since then. In August 2024, we have launched the EconiQ 420 kV live tank circuit breaker and the EconiQ 550 kV circuit breaker. 

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Amaya Lago is the Territory Marketing Manager, Hub Europe for the High Voltage Products business unit at Hitachi Energy. 

She has been in the energy industry for more than two decades. 

Amaya is a vibrant extrovert with an insatiable curiosity for new people, cultures, and ideas. She brings this energy into her work, where she helps customers reach their goals. For her, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, every customer deserves a customized approach tailored to their needs. 

Her son’s journey with dyslexia has fueled her creative thinking, inspiring her to approach challenges from different perspectives, making her an effective problem-solver. 

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes. 

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information. 

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy.  

For years, F-gases have been in the spotlight for many complex reasons – some good and some bad: they make it possible to achieve impressive things like the super reliability of our electricity supply. On the other hand, they have a downside (the high Global Warming Potential of SF6 comes to mind). 

All things considered, it would be unfair to put all of these gases in the same box since they come in various types, each with distinct characteristics and applications. 

Let’s unpack the nuances of F-gases in this episode with Rebecka Forward, Product Material Compliance Manager for the High Voltage Products business unit at Hitachi Energy. She breaks down everything you need to know about these gases into simple terms, their pros and cons, and their role in enabling the industry to move forward with better and more sustainable solutions.

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Rebecka Forward is a Product Material Compliance Manager who oversees our high-voltage products at Hitachi Energy.

Rebecka holds two chemistry degrees, both earned in her home country of Canada. Rebecka has a strong passion for chemistry and spent a few years sharing her knowledge with undergraduate students by teaching them the intricacies of this subject.

Rebecka’s primary focus is ensuring that our products adhere to global materials regulations, guaranteeing their safety for our valued customers and the environment. She is deeply committed to sustainability, actively fostering collaboration, and embracing diversity.

In her free time, Rebecka enjoys spending time outdoors she loves cycling, exploring nature, and going on adventurous trips.

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes.

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information.

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy. 

Navigating the high-voltage industry is just like exploring a complex maze, where each twist and turn represents new technologies, regulatory hurdles, unpredictable market dynamics, outdated infrastructure, and more. It can feel overwhelming! How do you choose the right path? 

Together with Dr. Arthouros Iordanidis, Head of Global Product Group Circuit Breakers and Grid Components for the High Voltage Products business at Hitachi Energy, we explore the multifaceted challenges confronting the high-voltage sector amid the urgent demands for cleaner energy and enhanced grid reliability. 

Listen to this episode for an in-depth conversation about the emerging technologies and strategies that could reshape our approach to high-voltage. 

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Meet Dr. Arthouros Iordanidis, the Head of Global Product Group Circuit Breakers and Grid Components for the High Voltage Products business unit at Hitachi Energy.  

Arthouros joined Hitachi Energy’s Corporate Research Center in Switzerland in 2005 and has since held several roles in research and development, as well as product, portfolio, and general management.   Arthouros thrives on the energy of his team and the ever-changing high-voltage landscape, embracing the challenges that come along head-on. He believes continuous growth and learning is the key to a fulfilling journey. 

Outside work, he finds time to unwind by hiking and jogging along scenic routes, or listening to his favorite band, Metallica. 

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes. 

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information. 

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy. 

Quality is more than just a feature; it’s a promise of reliability, durability, and consistency. 

Upholding quality is integral to any company and reflects its commitment to excellence by delivering on promises made to customers. With the demands of modern energy systems, ensuring high-voltage product reliability is more crucial than ever. 

In this episode, we invited Thomas Haas, Head of Quality for the High Voltage Products business at Hitachi Energy, to share in-depth insights about how building a quality mindset, combined with leveraging digital tools, can significantly improve the reliability and performance of every component manufactured. 

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Thomas Haas is the Head of Quality for the High Voltage Products business at Hitachi Energy. 

He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the RWTH Aachen University, Germany. 

Thomas has been with the company for almost 30 years. Since he joined, he has held various management positions within the gas-insulated switchgear units in Switzerland and Germany and has extensive experience in project management, engineering, operations management, controlling, R&D, and quality. 

In his nearly three decades of work experience in high-voltage products, he remains fascinated with the variety of perspectives, topics, and people he encounters on a day-to-day basis.  

Outside the world of quality management and digital systems, Thomas’ idea of relaxation is to jog along the picturesque Limmat river and spending time with friends and family during the weekends.

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes. 

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information. 

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy.  

Creating an efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chain strategy is essential for success, much like preparing a hearty Sunday lunch for the family. Salvatore Alimentato, Head of Supply Chain Management (SCM) for the High Voltage Products business at Hitachi Energy, emphasizes this in the latest Power Pulse episode. 

This episode examines the importance of supply chain management in high-voltage products and how its role transcends basic cost-cutting when it comes to procurement. SCM involves mastering strategies that enhance an organization’s competitiveness, drive sustainability, and establish resilience in the face of global disruptions.

Tune in to discover the best strategies for creating an excellent supply chain recipe!

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Salvatore Alimentato is the Head of Supply Chain Management (SCM) for the High Voltage Products business unit at Hitachi Energy.

With over 25 years of experience in Supply Chain Management, leading global, cross-regional teams and navigating diverse, multicultural environments, Salvatore has held several leadership roles in SCM in Brazil, Italy, and Switzerland. 

He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial, Brazil, and a master’s degree in business administration from the Fundação Getulio Vargas, Brazil.

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes.

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information.

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy.

Hitachi Energy will unveil two iconic world-firsts at CIGRE Session 2024 in Paris: 

• EconiQ 550 kV circuit breaker 
• EconiQ 420 kV Live Tank Circuit Breaker LTA 

These remarkable SF6-free solutions underscore the reliability and scalability of our technology, and we can’t wait to tell you more about it! 

This electrifying episode features Markus Heimbach, Managing Director of the High Voltage Products business unit at Hitachi Energy, and Christian Ohler, Head of Global Product Group Switchgear. These experts share captivating details about these new EconiQ technologies and how they are paving the way to move beyond SF6 with the lowest carbon footprint.  

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Dr. Markus Heimbach is the vibrant force behind Hitachi Energy’s High Voltage Products business unit.

He holds an M.Sc. and a PhD in electrical engineering from RWTH Aachen University and an MBA from the University of Hagen. Before joining Hitachi Energy, Markus was a scientist and chief engineer in Aachen University.

When he’s not leading innovative and game-changing projects, you can find him conquering cycling races with the same drive he brings to his career.  

He is energetic, engaging, and always up for a challenge!

Dr. Christian Ohler is a renowned physicist and leader in high-voltage.

He holds a PhD in physics from RWTH Aachen University and is currently the Head of the Global Product Group Switchgear in Hitachi Energy.

When asked about his work, he believes it is a service to society where we give an essential infrastructure to modern society – the power grid.

After hours, his artistic side shines. Christian is passionate about photography and loves capturing life’s special moments.

A keen photographer with a curious mind, he firmly believes that it is how people collaborate within the company that makes the difference.  

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes. 

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information. 

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy.  

Hitachi Energy’s EconiQTM high-voltage portfolio champions sustainability.

EconiQ products and services are proven to be reliable, scalable, and deliver the lowest carbon footprint. One might say EconiQ is truly iconic!

In this CIGRE special episode part 1, we invited our guest speakers, Navid Mahdi Zadeh, Global Portfolio Manager for the High Voltage Products business unit and Arthouros Iordanidis, Head of Global Product Group Circuit Breakers and Grid Components, to take us on a fascinating journey about the history of EconiQ and how it became a frontrunner in sustainable innovation. 

Stay tuned, part 2 is coming soon!

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Dr. NaviD Mahdi Zadeh is the Global Portfolio Manager, for the High Voltage Products business unit at Hitachi Energy.

He holds a PhD in physics from the Stuttgart University, Germany and proudly carries more than 14 years of experience in high-voltage products, portfolios, and technology.

Navid joined Hitachi Energy in 2007 and has held various roles since, such as Business Unit Market Innovation Manager, Global Product Manager GIS New Technology, Head of GIS Technology Development and Certification, and Principal Scientist for Gas Circuit Breakers.

Dr. Arthouros Iordanidis is the Head of Global Product Group Circuit Breakers and Grid Components for the High Voltage Products business unit for Hitachi Energy.

He holds a doctorate in Industrial Processes and Products from Twente University, Netherlands.

Arthouros joined Hitachi Energy’s Corporate Research Center in Switzerland in 2005 and has since held several roles in R&D and portfolio management.

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes.

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information.

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy.

Operations involve all the activities you need to do to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

It’s just like planning a birthday party. From securing the date, inviting guests and getting supplies like decorations and snacks, to setting up the venue, organizing fun games and everyone’s favorite – the eventual clean up. 

Good operations rely on planning, organizing, and ensuring that everything works together seamlessly to create quality high-voltage products in a safe manner. 

To tell you more about it, we invited Dirk Uhde, Head of HSE and Operations at Hitachi Energy. In this episode, he walks us through the operations process and the strategies implemented that make it more sustainable. 

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Dirk Uhde is the Head of HSE and Operations of the High Voltage Products business unit at Hitachi Energy. 

He holds a master's in electrical engineering University of Karlsruhe and a master’s degree in business administration from Fundação Getulio Vargas. 

Although Dirk’s heart is in operations, where he is responsible for the seamless execution of the thousands of daily tasks carried out on the shop floor, he has had a varied career with Hitachi Energy that has included research and development, quality, product management and sales. 

He considers himself a world citizen having spent his entire life travelling the globe and living on three different continents. Dirk is a strong believer in the power of diversity as the key to success. 

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes. 

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information. 

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy.  

A factory is far from a plain and boring building; it’s a bustling hive of creativity and innovation where raw materials are transformed into groundbreaking technologies.

It’s a place where brilliant minds with diverse backgrounds and specialties come together to turn blueprints into reality.

Our guest, Claire Carmona, Operating Unit Manager of the Gas-Insulated Switchgear factory in Europe, guides us through the manufacturing process and shares the ins and outs of a state-of-the-art factory.

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Claire Carmona is the Operating Unit Manager for Gas-Insulated Switchgear in Hub Business Unit Europe at Hitachi Energy’s High Voltage Products business.

She holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Ecole Centrale Paris and a master’s degree in management, technology, and economics from ETH Zurich.

Claire started her career with Hitachi Energy as a Management Trainee in 2006 and has since held different general management positions in service.

She is very passionate about her work and is loves to help to solve the world’s energy challenges.

Claire is a true adventurer at heart, having conquered an exciting 2-week backpacking trail in Patagonia.

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes.

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information.

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy.

Research & Development (R&D) is the driving force behind new innovations and better solutions. It is the key to advance high-voltage solutions by creating significant and high-quality improvements. 

In short, R&D makes everything more awesome. It’s all about exploring what’s possible and creating ways to make technology work better. 

Tune in to this episode where Markus Bujotzek gives an inside look at the R&D process for high-voltage technology, revealing insights into how various challenges were solved and breakthrough innovations were made. 

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Markus Bujotzek is the Global Technology Manager for Circuit-Breakers at Hitachi Energy’s High Voltage Products business and has been with the company for over 18 years. 

Dubbed “the full electrical guy,” he is known as the ultimate expert in all things electrical. 

Markus is a passionate engineer who thrives on challenging problems with a collaborative team. He is captivated by technology and values its multi-disciplinary nature. 

He spends most of his free time outside of work with his loving family. He’s also adventurous and likes to ski during winter and explore the mountains on his bike in the summer. 

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Make sure to follow us and click the notification button to get updates on new episodes. 

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information. 

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy.  

One thing is clear: high-voltage is crucial for long-distance transmission of power.

High-voltage systems have several components, each serving a significant function to ensure the grid is reliable, stable, and safe. 

In this episode, Dr. Christian Ohler breaks down the fascinating world of high voltage systems, from different types of switchgear to the mechanics behind electricity pylons.

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Dr. Christian Ohler is a renowned physicist and leader in high-voltage.

He holds a PhD in physics from RWTH Aachen University and is currently the Head of the Global Product Group Switchgear in Hitachi Energy.

When asked about his work, he believes it is a service to society where we give an essential infrastructure to modern society – the power grid.

After hours, his artistic side shines. Christian is passionate about photography and loves capturing life’s special moments.

A keen photographer with a curious mind, he firmly believes that it is how people collaborate within the company that makes the difference.  

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Make sure to follow us and hit that notification button so you never miss a new episode.

Visit www.hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information.

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy.

Heard the expression ‘energy transition’ before and not quite sure what it means? Ever wondered how the electrical grid came to be? Or whether the electricity we use in our lives is sustainable? 

In this episode, Dr. Markus Heimbach, Managing Director of the High Voltage Products business unit in Hitachi Energy and the best person to answer these questions, will tell you all about it.

Tune in for an electrifying journey as Markus unpacks the history and evolution of the electrical grid, the global movement of the energy transition and challenges, breakthrough high-voltage innovations, and more.

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Dr. Markus Heimbach is the vibrant force behind Hitachi Energy’s High Voltage Products business unit.

He holds an M.Sc. and a PhD in electrical engineering from RWTH Aachen University and an MBA from the University of Hagen. Before joining Hitachi Energy, Markus was a scientist and chief engineer in Aachen University.

When he’s not leading innovative and game-changing projects, you can find him conquering cycling races with the same drive he brings to his career.  

He is energetic, engaging, and always up for a challenge!

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Make sure to follow us and hit that notification button so you never miss a new episode.

Visit hitachienergy.com/powerpulse for more information.

The Power Pulse podcast is produced and edited by Creative Chimps for Hitachi Energy. 

Demand for data centers is soaring, prompting calls to cut carbon emissions. In part 2 of a 2-part series, we are joined by Dave Sterlace, Strategic Account Manager for Data Centers at Hitachi Energy, who shares some insights on how to power data centers more sustainably. 

Important links: 

• Hitachi Energy - Data Centers Webpage
• Blog post: Powering data centers sustainably
• Panel: How innovation in power management will impact key sustainability outcomes
• On-demand webinar: The rise of sustainable data centers

Demand for data centers is soaring, prompting calls to cut carbon emissions. In part 1 of a 2-part series, we are joined by Dave Sterlace, Strategic Account Manager for Data Centers at Hitachi Energy, who shares some insights on how to power data centers more sustainably. 

Important links: 

• Hitachi Energy - Data Centers Webpage
• Blog post: Powering data centers sustainably
• Panel: How innovation in power management will impact key sustainability outcomes
• On-demand webinar: The rise of sustainable data centers

In the following episode, we explore the anticipated, widespread electrification of vehicle fleets with Brian Wilkie, Director of Business Development NY Transportation Electrification at National Grid, and Gary Rackliffe, Vice President of Market Development and Innovation, North America at Hitachi Energy. From city buses to delivery vans to maintenance vehicles learn how the need to charge all these vehicles will impact power grids.

Important links: 

• National Grid & Hitachi Energy Fleet Electrification Study
• National Grid EV Charging Station Programs
• Grid-eMotion Fleet | Hitachi Energy
• Hitachi Energy Transportation Solutions - eMobility
• Fleet Electrification Provides Great Opportunity — If Done Right (T&D World)

Early careers is not just about giving either current students or recently graduated students relevant learning experience, it's about attracting our future leaders. For our industry specifically, we seek to find passionate and driven individuals ready to energize their careers while advancing a sustainable energy future for all. Listen along as two of our bright young Power+ Graduate Program trainees, Ariel Abudu and Martin Roman, share their experience in being a part of Hitachi Energy’s growing early careers program.  

Interested in learning more about our early careers program or becoming a part of our fast-growing team? Visit us at https://www.hitachienergy.com/us/en/career/career-overview/early-career

Follow us on social media:  > LinkedIn > Instagram > Facebook > Twitter > YouTube

Learn more here: https://www.hitachienergy.com/us/en/news/web-stories/2022/03/investing-in-early-careers-programs 

In our latest episode, we are joined by Kent Knutson, Energy Market Specialist with Hitachi ABB Power Grids, who enlightened us on some recent trends in North America related to the recent Biden Administration proposal to expand investment in critical areas of our nation’s critical infrastructure. Listen along as he explores the kinds of energy investments we’ve seen, specifically around commitments to renewable energy and efforts to expand transmission capacity.

Show links

• Connect with Kent Knutson on LinkedIn 
• America's power industry: 2021 first-half update
• California's big new batteries
• Texas wind and solar shined in 2020 - will they this summer?
• Renewable energy and grid expansion - tied at the hip across America
• TDW Article: It's time to invest in the future of the electrical grid 

As we enter the next era of energy, which is focused on decreasing emissions, eliminating our dependence on fossil fuels, and increasing our use of distributed energy resources, there are tons of emerging and exciting technologies of which we can take advantage. Join grid edge solution experts Tilo Buehler, Head of Product Management for Grid Edge Solutions, and Rahul Mehta, Lead for Grid Edge Solutions, Asia Pacific Region at Hitachi ABB Power Grids, as we discuss how microgrids and virtual power plants (VPPs) can help us prepare for a sustainable energy future by introducing more renewables, flexibility, and resiliency into the power system.

Show links:

• Find Tilo on LinkedIn Find Rahul on LinkedIn 
• First VPP project in Singapore
• On-demand webinars

In part 3 of our Women in Energy series, Julia Des Chenes and Allison Cohen discuss how you can embrace diversity and inclusion programs at your organization to learn, grow and thrive. We’ll also talk about some ways employee resource groups (ERGs) can help support this growth and examples of how our Women in Energy employee resource group (ERG) at Hitachi ABB Power Grids is helping to empower our members and drive change.

Show links:

• Follow Allison's Foodstagram, @thetableforone_ 
• Book recommendation: Educated by Tara Westover
• Book recommendation: Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
• Organization: Women's Energy Network (WEN)
• Organization: Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• Organization: Human Rights Campaign 

More information on today's show can be found at hitachiabb-powergrids.com/powerpulse