CIGRE UK B1/D1 Technical Liaison Meeting 2025

Meeting Led by

• James Pilgrim – UK B1 Regular Member (Insulated Cables)

• Thomas Andritsch – UK D1 Regular Member (Materials & Emerging Test Techniques)

What to Expect

• A high-level review of ongoing activities within CIGRE B1 (Insulated Cables).

• Highlights of recently published Technical Brochures.

• Updates on active B1 Working Groups where the UK is involved.

• Insights into new Working Groups approved during the recent B1 Study Committee meeting.

• An opportunity to share feedback on potential UK-led proposals for future work.

• A summary of relevant D1 activities, bridging the link between materials, testing, and cable technology.

Format & Participation

• Hybrid attendance – join in person or dial in virtually via Webex.

• In-person spaces are limited to 30 participants (early registration recommended).

• Virtual attendees will be able to submit live questions to the presenters.

This meeting offers a valuable platform to stay informed, influence ongoing discussions, and connect with peers and experts shaping the future of insulated cables and materials testing.

AGENDA

Meeting Details

📅 Date: Wednesday 15th October 2025
🕒 Time: 10:00 – 15:00
📍 Location: Orsted, 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG

or online via Webex (details will be included in your registration confirmation email).

Fee for attendance in person

Please note that there is a modest fee of £10+VAT to secure your place (which includes refreshments and a buffet lunch).

Practical Information

For those attending in person, please bring photographic ID. On arrival at 5 Howick Place, report to the building reception on Level 0. You will then be directed up to the Orsted reception to receive a badge. The nearest mainline train station is Victoria, and the nearest underground stations are Victoria (Victoria, Circle, District lines) and St James’ Park (Circle, District lines). A buffet lunch will be provided, please use the registration form to make us aware of any food allergies or other dietary requirements.

A reminder of CIGRE’s Guidelines for Meetings

Please review CIGRE’s meeting compliance summary: https://cigre.org.uk/web-cont1001/uploads/Summary-Guidelines-for-CIGRE-Meetings.pdf

Regular Member Bios

Dr James Pilgrim, CIGRE UK B1 Regular Member

James is currently Chief Cable Specialist for Orsted, working across the full project lifecycle of both inter-array and export cable circuits for wind farm projects around the world. Prior to joining Orsted, he worked in cable system R&D for 13 years at the Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory at the University of Southampton, beginning with his PhD studies in 2007. He has been active in B1 working groups for over 10 years, contributing as the UK member of B1.35, B1.50, B1.56, B1.64 and B1.72 Working Groups. He was the Convenor of B1.87 Finite Element Analysis for Cable Ratings and TF B1.92 Qualification of lead-free submarine cables with 72.5kV

Dr Thomas Andritsch, CIGRE UK D1 Regular Member

Thomas is currently an Associate Professor in the Electrical Power Engineering research group at the University of Southampton, which he joined in 2013, and part of the management team of the Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory. Prior he worked at the HV laboratory at Delft University of Technology, where he completed his PhD in 2010. His research focus is on new and emergent insulation materials and their potential use in HV engineering. He has been active in CIGRE Working Group D1.40, and is currently contributing to D1.73 and B1/D1.75. He is also a Senior Member of the IEEE, elected member of the Administrative Committee of the IEEE Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Society since 2019, and serves as Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation.

STUDY COMMITTEE B1

Mission

To facilitate and promote the progress of engineering and the international exchange of information and knowledge in the field of insulated cables. To add value to this information and knowledge by means of synthesizing state-of-the-art practices and developing recommendations. To make Electric Power Industry (EPI) managers, decision-makers and regulators aware of the outcome of SC B1’s work in the field of insulated cables.

Technological field of activity

• AC and DC insulated power cable systems for power transmission, distribution and generation connections on land and in submarine applications.
• Power cable systems associated with micro-grids and the integration of distributed resources.

Scope

Within its technical field of activity, Study Committee B1 addresses topics throughout the asset management life-cycle phases; from conception, through research, development, design, production, deployment, operation, and end-of life. Life cycle assessment techniques, risk management techniques, education and training are also important aspects. Added focus on optimizing cable design for “unconventional” usage as part of the Energy Transition.

Within this framework additional specific areas of attention include:

• Theory, principles and concepts, functionality, technological development, design, performance and application of materials, efficiency;
• Manufacturing, testing, quality assurance, application guidance, planning, routing and location, construction, erection, installation;
• Reliability, availability, dependability, maintainability and maintenance, service, condition monitoring, diagnostics, restoration, repair, loading, upgrading, uprating;
• Refurbishment, re-use/re-deployment, deterioration, dismantling, disposal.

At all stages, technical, safety, economic, environmental and social aspects are addressed as well as interactions with, and integration into, the evolving power system and the environment.

Working groups

View a list of CIGRE’s current working groups including for B1 here.

STUDY COMMITTEE D1

Mission

To facilitate and promote the progress of engineering and the international exchange of information and knowledge in the field of materials and emerging test techniques. To add value to this information and knowledge by means of synthesizing state-of-the-art practices and developing guidance and recommendations.

Technological field of activity

• The properties and performance characteristics of solids, liquids and gases used in the construction of AC and DC electrical transmission and distribution system components;
• Investigating and recommending new and revised test and diagnostic techniques to support the testing of AC and DC electrical transmission and distribution system components;
• Diagnostic techniques and related knowledge rules to support the asset management of electrical apparatus.

Scope

The activities of SC D1 concerns the properties, performance and testing of solids, liquids and gases under either AC, DC, impulse, and other electrical stresses.

• Properties and performance characteristics of new and existing conducting and insulating materials for electro-technology;
• Ageing of conducting and insulating materials under electrical, thermal, chemical, and electro-chemical stresses;
• Diagnostic and monitoring techniques, supported by knowledge and digital interpretation;
• Multi-component insulating arrangements with one or more dielectric materials used in conjunction with associated conducting parts;
• Emerging test techniques and changes to existing methods for the evaluation of insulator or conductor performance and/or condition;
• Provision of timely information on new developments and trends in the field of materials and emerging test techniques to other Study Committees and support for their analysis of the introduction and application of these materials and techniques.

Working groups

View a list of CIGRE’s current working groups including for D1 here.