On 1 and 2 November 2016, the workshop "Transformers - Operation and Diagnosis" took place at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, organized by the Institute of Process Engineering, Process Automation and Measurement Technology (IPM) (Prof. Kästner) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Prof. Kornhuber).

27 experts from energy companies and the university came together for a professional exchange. During these two days, the participants presented and discussed current topics and challenges relating to the safe operation and monitoring of transformers.

The following companies and energy companies were involved:

-           LEAG Lausitz Energie Kraftwerke AG

-           LEAG Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG

-           Vattenfall Europe Wärme AG

-           Vattenfall Wasserkraft GmbH

-           Vattenfall Kraftwerke Moorburg GmbH

-           VPC GmbH

-           Stromnetz Hamburg GmbH

-           Stromnetz Berlin GmbH

-           50Hertz Transmission GmbH

-           Lausitzer Analytik GmbH

The first day focused on overview presentations and visits to the exhibition stands of General Electric, Starke & Sohn, ABB and Gatron/EMB. ABB's mobile shock generator attracted particular interest. In addition, the university location was presented to the guests from the perspective of teaching and research. The focus was on the F&E activities of the EI faculty and the IPM. Finally, the high-voltage laboratory and the power plant laboratory were visited. The lively interest of the students in the exhibition stands and the presentations was particularly pleasing. The workshop therefore offered an excellent opportunity to make contact with future employers.

On the second day, specialist presentations were used to introduce special aspects of the transformer as a major electrical component, which were the subject of lively discussion. The Faculty of EI and the IPM presented two scientific papers in the fields of silicone elastomers in transformer bushings (Prof. S. Kornhuber) and diagnostic tools for determining the condition and prognosis of machine transformers (Dipl.-Inf. J. Hänel).

The workshop was initiated as part of a project on the topic of "Diagnosis of generator transformers". The company Lausitz Energie Kraftwerke AG (LEAG, formerly Vattenfall Europe Generation AG) and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) have been working closely together on this topic for some time. The focus of the project is the development of a diagnostic tool for determining the condition of transformers.

At the end of the event, the participants expressed their interest in continuing the scientific exchange next year.