CONFERENCE EVENT 2025

PowerGRID

9th Jan - 10th Jan

Join industry leaders, innovators, and experts at PowerGrid 2025, a brand-new event dedicated to exploring the latest advancements in grid digitization, testing, and cybersecurity.

Keynote Speakers

Read Bio

Ali Abdulla is the European Regional Applications Specialist at OMICRON, with a BEng in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Leicester. He has held various roles in designing and commissioning PAC systems. He has widespread experience in testing substation automation, protection systems and digital communication networks. Currently a member of CIGRE WG B5.84.

Read Bio

André F. S. Melo is a Global System Architect at Digital Power Application Center (DPAC) of Schneider Electric. He received the B.E. degree in Computer Engineering from Universidade Potiguar (UnP) in 2017 and the M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR) in 2021. He is now pursuing Ph.D. degree in Power Systems at Universidad de Sevilla. His fields of interest include Protection and Control System, Digital Substations, and IEC 61850. Mr. André is active member in various work groups of CIGRE B5, IEEE PES PSRC, PSCCC & IEC TC57 WG10.

Read Bio

I started out my career as an apprentice with Areva Transformer Factory in Stafford at the time in 2008. Progressing through the advanced apprenticeship, earning a degree in electrical and electronic engineering whilst also progressing in my job role from Apprentice to Skilled Fitter to Test Technician to Lead Test Engineer, before making the move to OMICRON in 2021. Spare time hobbies include football with a local pub team and golfing when I can, and proud father of my 3 year old daughter, Georgie, who keeps me on my toes trying to keep up with her.

Read Bio

Ciaran Murphy is the OT Cyber Security Business Lead at NeoDyne, where he oversees the strategic development and implementation of cyber security solutions across multiple sectors, including energy, life sciences, and food & beverage. With extensive experience designing systems aligned with the IEC-62443 standard, he delivers solutions that strengthen the cyber resilience of critical national infrastructure.

Ciaran joined NeoDyne as a graduate in 2010, beginning his career in automation engineering. His technical expertise and focus on security led him to specialise in automation system architecture, with a dedicated focus on OT cyber security since 2018. Certified as an ISA/IEC-62443 Cyber Security Expert, Ciaran is a recognised authority on OT cyber security compliance in Ireland.

Read Bio

Dr. George D. O’Mahony earned a BE (2015) and Ph.D. (2021) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from University College Cork. His Ph.D. research enhanced cybersecurity for edge devices in networks like IoT, Wireless Sensor Networks, and GPS by developing low-complexity interference diagnostic tools using machine learning techniques, including SVMs, k-NNs, and decision trees, while exploring deep neural networks for resource-intensive solutions. He published seven first-author conference papers, a magazine article, and two journal papers, winning several IEEE paper awards.

Since joining Munster Technological University in 2021 a cybersecurity Lecturer and researcher in the Dept. Computer Science and Cyber Skills, Dr. O’Mahony has focused on teaching and research in cybersecurity, covering areas such as securing networks, penetration testing, threat hunting, and advanced cyber defense techniques. His research focuses on cyber resilience, IT/OT/IoT security, cyber range infrastructure, and innovative machine learning methods for detecting anomalies and attacks. He is Ireland’s WorldSkills Expert for Skill 54 Cybersecurity, Associate Investigator at SFI CONNECT, a team member in Horizon Telemetry, PI in Cyber Explore and co-PI in SFI NCF Cyber Shock. He led the design of Ireland’s Cyber Range infrastructure (both mobile and cloud) and is recognized for advancing cyber range simulation platforms for education, industry, and research. His mentorship led Ireland to win gold at the 2024 WorldSkills Global Cybersecurity competition in Australia.

Read Bio

My name is Joni Kujala, I live in Vaasa Finland, and I have been working there at ABB in Distribution Solutions division for about three years now.

I graduated from Vaasa University of Applied Sciences as an electrical engineer in 2020. My thesis was about power quality and measurements of industrial networks.

After graduation I worked as a consultant in the same field, until I got the opportunity in 2021 to join ABB as Technical Sales Specialist.

My main role is to support our sales and customers with protection and control related technical matters, and to provide protection relay training for colleagues and customers alike.

I’m lucky to be in the unique position of getting to work closely with the full range of professionals ranging all the way from our R&D to the end users all over the world.

Read Bio

Keith has been an active member of CIGRE Ireland since 2018, beginning his journey with the Irish Next Generation Network (NGN) as an Events Coordinator. During his two-year term, he played a pivotal role in organising and managing events that fostered networking and professional development.

In 2020, Keith’s dedication and leadership skills led to his election as Vice Chairperson of the Irish NGN. In this role, he was instrumental in engaging young professionals within the Power System Industry, encouraging their participation in various networking and technical events.

Keith’s commitment to the NGN’s mission was further recognised in 2022 when he was elected as the Chairperson of the Irish NGN, a position he currently holds. His leadership has been a cornerstone for CIGRE Ireland, promoting engagement opportunities for young professionals and students alike.

In addition to his role as Chairperson, Keith is also a member of the Irish National Committee of CIGRE, where he represents the voices of young professionals and students. He contributes to the creation of NGN events, which are then organised by the NGN committee.

Parallel to his contributions to CIGRE Ireland, Keith is a Senior Asset Performance Specialist at ESB, Engineering and Major Projects. Starting next month, December 2024, he will be taking on a new role as a Senior Project Engineer at ESB Ecars.

Read Bio

Liam earned a first-class honours degree in Electrical Power Systems from Cork Institute of Technology in 2009. Since then, he has worked with ESB, the Irish utility company. He began his career in the Asset Management Services department at ESB International and currently works in the Asset Performance Team within the Transmission & Distribution Engineering (TDE) section of Engineering & Major Projects (E&MP).

As the Protection and Control Specialist for the Asset Performance Team, Liam provides leadership and expertise in transmission protection and commissioning activities. He also offers site support, training, and technical development for E&MP commissioning staff and other stakeholders as needed.

Read Bio

As the Cybersecurity Officer and Digital Excellence Lead at Siemens Electrification & Automation, I blend my 10 years of technical expertise from the vibrant energy sector in Canada and the UK with a personal commitment to shaping a secure digital future. In my role as the Cybersecurity Officer, I am responsible for the development and delivery of a cybersecurity strategy for the business, aligned with Siemens’ global cybersecurity vision.

My journey extends beyond cybersecurity; I’m also driving our digital excellence strategy, steering innovative projects and initiatives that transform our day-to-day activities with the support of an excellent team of data scientists and developers.

Embracing the joys of motherhood to my curious 5-year-old daughter, I am a champion for girls in STEM, empowering them to become future innovators and leaders.

Read Bio

Ross is a Chartered Electrical Engineer with over sixteen years of industry experience. He graduated with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from TUD in 2008 and later gained a Masters in Power Distribution from Newcastle University in 2018. Throughout his career he has held various roles in the High Voltage industry, such as a Substation Design Engineer, Commissioning Engineer, and as a Technical manager of an international consultancy. Currently, Ross is the Commissioning Group Director at H&MV Engineering where he leads a dynamic commissioning team in the verification and certification of High Voltage assets and stations.
Ross has a keen interest in Transmission and Distribution protection technologies and currently is the Irish representative of Cigre B5 protection Study Committee as well as been involved in a WG and sits on the Irish National Council. Previously he has published a number of papers and delivered technical presentations at various forums Internationally.

Read Bio

Saujanya Mathanda Sanjaya is a Ph.D. researcher in the Department of Computer Science at Munster Technological University, Cork. She earned her MSc. in Cybersecurity from MTU and her B.E. in Electronics and Communications from Reva Institute of Technology and Management, India. Her current research focuses on advancing performance and cybersecurity measures for Smart Grid Substation Automation Systems (SAS). She is particularly interested in building robust, resilient systems that address evolving cyber threats in critical infrastructure. By developing innovative cybersecurity solutions, her work contributes to the stability and security of energy systems, helping prevent potential disruptions that could impact both local communities and national grids.

Programme

9th Jan

09:30 - Registration

10:00 - Session 1 Substation Automation Technology

12:00 - Workshop (Omicron) Transformer Theory

13:00 - Lunch / Lab Transformer Test Demo

14:00 - Lab Tour (Transformer Test Demo)

15:00 - Session 2 Cybersecurity

19:00 - Gala Dinner

Gala dinner in The Kingsley Hotel with Musical Entertainment after the meal.

10th Jan

09:30 - Poster Session

Accepted poster submissions will be presented.

12:00 - Workshop (Omicron) Digital Substation

13:00 - Lunch / Lab SubstationTest Demo

14:00 - Lab Tour & Substation Test Demo

15:00 - Session 3 Protection & Test

Posters

MTU offers a L9 Certificate in Smart Sustainable Power Engineering. The programme trains power engineers to design, operate, test and maintain the smart grid. Students explore the challenges of sustainable power networks and develop and apply leading-edge digital-enabled solutions. The class of 2024 have completed a case study combining their industry experience with the skills and knowledge gained during the course. The output of the case study is the poster presented at PowerGRID2025.

CONFERENCE EVENT 2025

PowerGRID

9th Jan - 10th Jan

Keynote Speakers

Ali Abdulla

André Felipe Silva Melo

Ashley Griffin

Ciaran Murphy

Dr George O Mahony

Joni Kujula

Keith Keady

Liam O'Sullivan

Parisa Akaber

Ross Kelly

Saujanya Mathanda-Sanjaya

Sponsors

Programme

9th Jan

Sean McSweeny

Liam O' Sullvan

Ross Kelly

Andre Melo

Ashley Griffin

Saujanya Mathanda-Sanjaya & George O Mahony

Parisa Akaber

Ciaran Murphy

10th Jan

Ali Abdulla

Joni Kujula

Keith Keady

Posters

Contact Us

Get In Touch