IEEE DEIS Monthly Webinar on:
Theory and applications of nonlinear electrical conduction phenomena in HVDC insulation
Presented by
Thomas Christen
Senior Principle Scientist at NKT HV Cables AB, Technology Consulting, Västerås, Sweden
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 8:00 AM (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Abstract: This webinar provides an overview on the theory of nonlinear conduction phenomena in insulation systems and their modelling and simulation, with special focus on examples relevant for HVDC applications. Space charge effects, nonlinear resistive field grading, e.g., in cable accessories, instabilities and dielectric breakdown in solids and gases, self-healing in metallized film capacitors, and current interruption are examples of phenomena related to nonlinear electrical transport behavior. The purpose of this webinar is to provide a fundamental theoretical understanding of the physics of application-relevant nonlinear phenomena in the field of dielectrics and electrical insulation. The content of the webinar is useful for, e.g., modeling and simulation for insulation design optimization, physics of failure analysis, and technology development.
Bio: Thomas Christen (1963, Swiss, living near Baden in Switzerland) received his Diploma in theoretical physics from the University of Basel in 1989 with a diploma thesis on pattern formation in hydrodynamic flows, and his Ph.D. in 1994 with a thesis on nonlinear electrical phenomena in semiconductors. From 1994 to 1996, he researched on quantum mechanical effects in mesoscopic electrical capacitances and on nucleation theory, at the University of Geneva. Between 1996 and 2021, he was a member of the Theoretical Physics team of ABB Corporate Research in Baden-Dättwil. From 2021 to 2024, he was a Senior Principal Scientist of R&D Hitachi Energy at the same location. Since Oct. 2024, he works as a Senior Principal Scientist for the Technology Consulting organization of NKT HV Cables AB (Västerås, Sweden). His expertise is physical and mathematical modeling and simulation. The application areas cover a large part of electrical engineering technologies, such as gas circuit breakers, energy storage, and cable technology, with currently reinforced focus on HVDC insulation in cable-accessories. Besides his R&D work, he was active in various science and technology organizations as well as a lecturer in physics at different universities.
Registration is required:
https://ieeemeetings.webex.com/weblink/register/r79d7db48d54c9a59afd5a1a42bb8e2a5