Power Systems Evolution: A Conversation with Rannveig Loken

Power Systems Evolution: A Conversation with Rannveig Loken

by Power Systems Technology · View the channel on PSI

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Energy THEnergy technology and engineeringTHRElectrical engineering
🎙 Power Systems Technology 👥 588 📅 September 23, 2026 ⏱ 11 min 👁 10 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-09-23
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

CIGRETechnical CouncilStudy Committeesenergy transitionstandards harmonization

Summary

In this event interview recorded at CIGRE 2026 in Paris, host Chris Gerber of APC Media talks with Rannveig Loken, Chair of the CIGRE Technical Council. Loken explains that CIGRE, now 105 years old, was created by IEC to perform expert groundwork before standards are written. She describes her role overseeing 16 Study Committees that cover areas such as transformers, markets, and cybersecurity, and highlights the structure of National Committees (about 90) that submit papers. The paper submission process involves sending a synopsis to the national committee, then study committee review, followed by full paper review and a poster session. She also mentions the Next Generation Network for young engineers and encourages them to engage through the normal process. The conversation touches on how CIGRE stays current, citing an opening panel on AI and data centers where technology’s impact on the grid and its potential to support the energy transition were discussed. Loken, as a woman in a male-dominated industry, shares her career journey, noting supportive mentorship and a narrow election victory by one vote. On IEC and IEEE standards harmonization, she explains that CIGRE works with both organisations through memoranda of understanding and joint working groups, aiming to align technical work, though full harmonisation is not yet achieved. The interview concludes with Loken’s optimistic view of CIGRE’s next century, emphasising global collaboration and faster work while maintaining deep expertise.

230 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information lies in its insider perspective on CIGRE’s operational structure, particularly the paper selection process and the technical council’s coordination with study committees. The argumentation is coherent and based on first-hand experience, though it remains at a descriptive level. Loken effectively conveys how CIGRE bridges utilities, vendors, and academia in an unbiased manner, exemplified by the AI/data center panel. The discussion on IEC/IEEE harmonisation is candid, acknowledging current joint efforts while stopping short of full standard unification. Overall, the content is informative for professionals in the power industry, but lacks technical depth or data-driven analysis.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The video is a professional interview with a leading expert, ensuring factual accuracy about CIGRE’s procedures. No external sources are cited within the conversation, but the described processes are verifiable through CIGRE’s official channels. The title accurately reflects the content, which centres on the evolution of power systems as seen through CIGRE’s role. The quality is consistent with typical industry event interviews, though no additional documentation is provided to corroborate specific claims such as the 105 years or the exact number of study committees, which are well-known facts.

202 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the conversation about power systems evolution and CIGRE's role, with a focus on the guest's perspective.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The interview provides first-hand insights from the Chair of CIGRE's Technical Council, with accurate descriptions of CIGRE's processes. Reliability is high due to the expert source, though the content is procedural rather than deeply technical.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Contribution & Novelties

The interview offers a practical look inside CIGRE’s operations, detailing how international technical coordination precedes standardisation. It highlights the paper submission pathway and the role of National Committees, which is rarely explained in such a direct manner. The discussion on aligning IEC and IEEE work through joint working groups is a useful update on current harmonisation efforts, grounded in the interviewee’s position.

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117 words

Radar Profile

The scores show a balanced profile with moderate information quantity and technical level, but high reliability due to the expert source. The qualitative strength is in quality and reliability, while the annex highlights the need for more detailed technical content.

Reliability 8/10