My adventure at CIGRE by Philippe Adam, Secretary General of CIGRE

My Journey at CIGRE

I began my professional career at Électricité de France (EDF) after earning my engineering degree from a prestigious Parisian university. In October 1980, I was recruited as a research engineer in the Studies and Research Division, tasked with preparing studies, specifications, and tests for the HVDC link between France and England (IFA 2000), which was commissioned in 1986.

At the time, I had much to learn about this technology and its applications in electrical networks, as it was only marginally used. My managers strongly encouraged me to join an international organization where I could train with the best experts in the field. I promptly became a member of CIGRE (International Conference on Large Electric Systems) as the secretary of Working Group 14.03, led by my manager, Alain Le Du.

My first responsibility was to organize a Working Group meeting in Clamart, France. At that time, preparatory communications with members were conducted via fax or even telex, especially with the representative from the USSR.

It was during these meetings that I first realized the true value of CIGRE. Beyond merely attending discussions, I had the opportunity to engage with experts from around the world who shared my passion for electrical networks. We collaborated to draft technical documents, drawing from our diverse professional experiences and expertise.

From then on, I accompanied my group leader to Study Committee 14 meetings on "HVDC Links and AC Power Electronic Equipment," chaired by the Canadian Lane Bateman. Later, after the Working Group published Technical Brochure 65 in 1990, I took over as convener. At that time, there was no rule requiring the dissolution of a Working Group upon the publication of a brochure. In 1995, our group published Brochure 92.

I also contributed to other Working Groups, including 14.07, which produced a guide for planning DC links in areas with low short-circuit capacities. This guide was published in two parts in 1992 and 1997, resulting in Brochures 68 and 115.

Between 1984 and 1996, I attended every Study Committee 14 meeting under the leadership of Thomas Calverley (UK) and later Narain Hingorani (USA). My first meeting was at the historic Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, the very site of the 1944 agreements that led to the creation of the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The stunning autumn landscapes of New Hampshire made this an unforgettable experience for a young engineer.

During the Paris Sessions, which I first attended at the University of Assas in 1982 (before they moved to the Palais des Congrès in 1994), I served as a platform secretary for Study Committee 14 discussions. Each evening, I summarized the discussions in English and French for the next morning’s session, making for many late nights in August.

Eventually, my professional responsibilities no longer justified my continued involvement with the committee. In 1996, I reluctantly informed Narain Hingorani that I was stepping away from Committee 14. I expressed my deep appreciation for the invaluable technical knowledge I had gained, the incredible people I had met, and the opportunity to explore the world through CIGRE meetings. This marked my first farewell to CIGRE.

A New Chapter in CIGRE Leadership

In August 1996, André Merlin, then Director of Hydraulic and Conventional Thermal Production, Energy Transport, Telecommunications, and Electricity System Operation, was appointed Chairman of CIGRE’s Technical Committee (TC). To my great surprise, he invited me to serve as his assistant for the six-year duration of his term. Honored by the opportunity, I gladly accepted.

From 1996 to 2002, my role involved preparing TC meetings, coordinating with Study Committee Chairs and Administrative Council members, and working closely with the Secretary General and the TC Secretary. This position gave me a broader understanding of CIGRE’s inner workings beyond my previous technical involvement.

André Merlin’s tenure was marked by two significant transformations. The first was a restructuring of CIGRE’s technical activities and session formats to better address new industry challenges, such as electricity market regulation, environmental concerns, and the integration of distributed energy resources. In 2002, the current structure of 16 Study Committees (categorized as A, B, C, and D) was established, along with the new Paris Session format, featuring an opening panel followed by four days of focused discussions.

Additionally, in 2000, CIGRE changed its name from the International Conference on Large Electric Systems to the International Council on Large Electric Systems.

Continued Contributions to CIGRE

In 2002, Aldo Bolza succeeded André Merlin as TC Chairman. Having just completed his tenure as Chairman of Study Committee 21 (HV Insulated Cables, now B1), he invited me to stay on as TC Secretary, which I accepted without hesitation. Together and with the help of the Secretary General Jean KOWAL, we implemented the new technical structure and updated Study Committee regulations. It was during this period, in 2006, that we launched the first version of the e-cigre online library.

After four years, Aldo Bolza passed the torch to Prof. Klaus Fröhlich, former Chairman of Study Committee A3 (High Voltage Equipment). Klaus focused on strengthening the TC’s team spirit, increasing meeting frequency from one to two per year. His six-year term saw a surge in the creation of new Working Groups, leading to a significant rise in technical brochure production, now averaging 30 to 40 new brochures annually.

After a decade as TC Secretary, I decided it was time to move on. My departure coincided with Mark Waldron’s appointment as TC Chairman. He chose Yves Maugain as his new Secretary, marking my second farewell to CIGRE. However, my involvement did not completely end, as I had also been serving as Secretary of the French National Committee of CIGRE since 2004.

A Parallel Career in the Evolving Electricity Sector

Throughout my years with CIGRE, my professional journey mirrored the transformation of the French electricity sector. In 2000, I left EDF to join RTE, the newly established electricity transmission system operator in France.

At EDF, I had worked in the Studies and Research Division before moving to the Generation and Transmission Division as an international consultant. Later, I became head of the Substation Division within the Transmission Grid Engineering Department (CERT) and subsequently led the Regional Networks Division, overseeing 225 kV network development across France. I also played a key role in preparing for the separation of electricity production from transmission operations, paving the way for the creation of RTE.

At RTE, I first served as Director of Management Control before transitioning to international affairs, which led to the establishment of RTE International in 2006. As part of my international assignments, I was appointed Program Director for Infrastructure and Technology for the Medgrid industrial initiative in 2010.

Returning to CIGRE as Secretary General

In October 2013, following the unexpected departure of CIGRE’s Secretary General, I was approached by the President of CIGRE to temporarily manage the Central Office on a part-time basis. I later applied for the permanent position and was officially appointed Secretary General on March 1, 2014.

Since then, my goal has been to guide CIGRE through its ongoing transformation, ensuring it continues to meet the evolving needs of the electricity sector. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among experts worldwide, I remain committed to the organization that has played such a pivotal role in my professional life.