Next Generation Network (NGN) Convenes Successful Activities at the 2024 Paris Session

The Opening Ceremony recognised five NGN members as recipients of the prestigious NGN Significant Contribution Award for their involvement within the NGN. As is always a feature, the Paris session included several key NGN activities included below.

Each Paris Session is also a time to reflect on the growth of the NGN since the previous Paris Session. This growth has included; seven additional NGN groups being chartered taking the total number of NGN groups up to 34, official NGN representatives on each of the 16 Study Committees, NGN contribution to the strategic plan released in 2023, significant changes to NGN membership affording students an additional year of free membership post-graduation, as well as individual NGN members with an additional year of 50% fees – taking the number of discounted years up to three for individual NGN members. The NGN have also increased their presence on social media and contribution to public facing platforms such as Future Connections and ELECTRA. I look forward to this steady growth continuing into the next term.

The NGN Booth was located on level one of the Palais des Congrès, immediately adjacent the poster session hall, a perfect location in a high traffic area. The poster sessions were noted in the event app by the Central Office (CO), creating high interest (between 1100 and 1600 participants across the five days) behind only the opening panel and the workshop on large disturbances. There were many structured activities organized at the NGN Booth and Startup Forum (an addition for new entrants) opposite the NGN Booth. These included well attended career speaker sessions, a new NGN group panel discussion, and an NGN group best practices workshop. The NGN Booth was constantly staffed by volunteer NGN members, and it promoted the good work of the NGN across the globe with 20 National Committee (NC) NGN group posters on display using a big screen that was provided as part of the Booth. Thank you to the NGN United States team for coordinating this activity.

NGN members from all over the globe participated in the sixth NGN Showcase event, which included 28 presentations during their respective Study Committee (SC) Group Discussion Meetings (GDM). They, along with many other passionate NGN members, were able to present their work during their respective SC Poster Sessions too. A huge thank you goes to NGN China for their work over the past 18 months to coordinate the NGN Showcase.

In addition, the NGN was honoured to host the second NGN Showcase Presentation Competition. The competition included 23 presenters from 17 countries. Congratulations to our presentation competition winner, Horacio Silva of the NGN United States, and to Léo Richard of NGN France, Yanting Cheng of NGN China and Haonan Yang of NGN United Kingdom who received honourable mention awards from our esteemed judges (comprising representatives from China, Gulf Cooperation Council, Italy, Japan, and the United States), including three representatives from the CIGRE Steering Committee.

The NGN Showcase always receives more submissions than can be accepted. For 2024, there were 55 submissions received, and 28 were accepted. Since it is not possible to accept all submissions, for those that weren’t accepted but who could still travel to Paris and attend the session, the NGN team organized an additional session to allow them to present their work to an international audience. These presentations followed the NGN Showcase Presentation Competition with seven NGN members that took advantage of this opportunity.

The NGN was fortunate to have several guest speakers present throughout the NGN Forum on Wednesday. These speakers included Rena Kuwahata (International Energy Agency), Adam Middleton (Siemens Energy), Sabrina Mercer (Siemens Energy) and Claudia Blanco (GE Vernova). The circa 200 attendees (both remote and in-person) benefited from the discussion and had an opportunity to ask their questions throughout the panel session. Attendees also heard from NGN representatives that were leading new initiatives within their NC NGN groups, as well as Harry Evans, the Convenor of the NGN-led taskforce, Speeding up the energy transition. We were happy to also hear from the CIGRE VP-Technical Marcio Szechtman, and the incoming CIGRE President Konstantin Papailiou to share their insights on all topics front of mind for our young members. Thank you to all the presenters, and those involved in organising the event from the NGN Australia team. A special mention to Maria Oancea for winning the hotly contested trivia event during the intermission. Maria successfully answered all seven questions in 1 minute and 17 seconds, ahead of the next fastest by an astonishing 26 seconds!

For the first time in Paris, the CO together with members of the International NGN team worked to secure a sponsor for various NGN activities, including the NGN Networking Event. The event was well attended and included announcements of the NGN Showcase Presentation Competition winner and honourable mentions. The evening also featured a presentation from sponsor GE Vernova as well as testimonials from several NGN members from various NC’s. Being the first of its kind, we have collated some feedback to help us improve the experience for NGN members at future international events. Thank you to the NGN Canada team for arranging this event and coordinating with the speakers ahead of time. A special mention also to Saravanan Balamurugan who was phenomenal in working his way around the room to complete the bingo sheet first (the concept was to tick off each task after meeting someone that had done that activity before).

Throughout the week, three NGN members were asked to be interviewed at the CIGRE TV Booth. This was a great initiative to get feedback during the session and play almost live testimonials from various people before meetings and workshops.

CIGRE TV Interviews

The final official NGN event organized during the week was the NGN Technical Tour on Friday morning. A team of 17 NGN members led by Conor Mulholland attended the Musee de Arts et Metiers (Museum of Arts and Crafts) for a tour. The event was a great opportunity to see the development of arts, materials and inventions over the previous few centuries. It was also an invaluable networking opportunity amongst NGN members outside of the Palais des Congrès. Thanks to Conor for leading this activity and to the CO for supporting this initiative.

The conclusion of the Paris Session also marked the end of my time as the International NGN Chair, and Anthony Giacomoni’s (NGN United States) time as the International NGN Vice Chair. This two-year term has been a brilliant experience, and I have absolute confidence the NGN is in great hands with incoming Chair Conor Mulholland (NGN Ireland) and Vice-Chair Aditie Garg (NGN India). Over the past two years Conor has undertaken the role of International NGN Secretary and has a solid understanding of the role, responsibilities and key people within CIGRE. Aditie has undertaken several roles within CIGRE, perhaps most notably as the facilitator of the NGN Forum at the 2022 Paris Session. I can’t think of any others better placed than Conor and Aditie to lead the NGN, and I encourage everyone to provide them with support throughout the course of their term.

The Paris Session was busy, but its unprecedented growth fills me with confidence that the NGN will continue to grow and contribute to the good work of the CIGRE organisation as we navigate into a new tomorrow and toward our global energy targets.