What interests you most about the electrical engineering industry?
To me, this area is the most exciting because we have entered a period where the energy transition is really taking off. All the discussions and planning from the 2010s onward are now becoming reality. The future looks bright, driven by grid expansion, renewables and data centres —all of which are increasing the demand for transformers and, in turn, our grain-oriented electrical steel.

Can you give me a brief history of your work in the industry?
I’ve been in the global steel industry for 25 years now, with 12 years focused specifically on electrical steel. I believe in listening to our customers and creating solutions to serve their true needs.

My key priority today is to inform the electricity industry about options to decarbonize the grid and to form alliances across raw material suppliers, transformer makers and electric utilities.

What made you want to become an Advisory Board member or speaker for CWIEME Berlin?
CWIEME Berlin has always been a great place to meet customers and stakeholders. But more than just traditional networking, we believe collaboration is essential — especially when it comes to the decarbonisation of the electricity sector. To achieve that, we need to broaden our reach, which is why we were motivated to take a more active role as a speaker at the event.

This year, I will inform about the creation of the world´s first lead market for CO2 reduced steel in a very relevant sector for the audience of CWIEME: In power transformers in the transmission system. 

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s event?
We’re expecting a large number of customers from around the world, as always. But I’m especially looking forward to engaging not just with our customers, but also their customers — the end-users of transformers and motors. It’s a great opportunity to push collaboration forward. After my presentation, I’m eager to hear the audience's reaction and make new connections through those interactions.

What technology do you think is going to have the biggest impact over the next ten years?
If we’re talking specifically about electrical steel, then it’s all about reducing energy losses. But I actually believe that the biggest driver of our industry in the coming years won’t be technological, it will be collaboration and learning how to grow – together - along the value chain. Key words are Collaboration, Decarbonization and Resilience.

To meet more experts and make key connections in electrical engineering and coil winding, join CWIEME Berlin.  

Photo Credit: thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel