Short CV of Presenting Author:

Koen Vanthournout is co-founder and CEO of Orion Grid Technologies, a 2026 spin-off of VITO, KU Leuven, and EnergyVille that develops data-driven decision tools for distribution system operators, with a particular focus on the low-voltage grid. Prior to founding Orion, Koen spent more than a decade at VITO (the Flemish Institute for Technological Research) and EnergyVille, where he led the research that became Orion's technology base. In 2017, he co-founded ENION, a provider of custom battery systems for SMEs, before returning to VITO and EnergyVille to continue his work on low-voltage grid digitalisation. Earlier in his career, from 2006 to 2009, he worked as a senior embedded software engineer at ICOS Vision Systems / KLA-Tencor. Koen holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering (1999) from Group T – International University College Leuven, a Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence (2000) from KU Leuven, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from KU Leuven (2006). In 2020, he completed a Postgraduate Certificate in School of Thinking at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).

Harm Leenders is a policy developer for electric power distribution at Fluvius, where he focuses on the development of robust and future-proof strategies for distribution grids. He combines a strong technical background in motion control and industrial applications with extensive experience in people management and digitalisation, gained during more than a decade at Siemens. There, he held roles ranging from internal sales and application engineering to managing customer service teams with full P&L responsibility. At Fluvius, Harm contributes to policy development with a particular interest in grid reliability, asset management, and the integration of data-driven approaches in distribution system operations. His professional focus lies at the intersection of technical innovation, operational excellence, and long-term infrastructure planning.

Short CV of Presenting Author:

Dr. Matias Ariel Kippke Salomón obtained his PhD degree in Energy and Process Control at the University of Oviedo, with his dissertation titled "IoT-Based Advanced Metering Infrastructure for Real-Time Control and Management of Flexible Devices Connected to the Low-Voltage Distribution Network." He works as a Project Manager at Plexigrid, a company specialising in grid analytics, where he works in the development and delivery of software solutions for modern distribution networks. In parallel, he is a researcher at the Laboratory for Electrical Energy Management Unified Research (LEMUR) at the University of Oviedo.

Short CV of Presenting Author:

Sasan Rostambeik Tafreshi is a senior advisor and industrial systems architect, with a combination of strategic vision and deep technical expertise in critical infrastructures, telecoms, cybersecurity, and energy-sector digital transformation.
He is a PhD graduate in Computer Science and Networks from Télécom Paris and currently contributes at Enedis to the modernisation and resilience of the electricity grid.

Short CV of Presenting Author:

The presentation will be given by two co-authors: Denny Harmsen and Elise Morskieft
CV Denny:
Professional Experience: Alliander – Netherlands
Senior Specialist R&I (Research & Innovation) | [2021 – present]
• Lead innovation initiatives across energy infrastructure and system development
• Translate long-term strategy into practical, scalable solutions
• Drive cross-functional collaboration and external partnerships
• Contribute to digitalization and asset management improvements

Board & Industry Roles
Chair – CIRED Netherlands | July 2024 – present
• Lead national platform for international DSO knowledge exchange
• Strengthen collaboration between utilities, academia, and industry
Member – Connection Group, Dutch Power
• Contribute to sector-wide knowledge sharing and innovation alignment

Personal Profile
Driven innovator with nearly 30 years of experience in the energy sector and a hands-on engineering background at BSc level. Combines deep technical expertise with natural leadership and an extensive network both within and beyond Alliander. Effectively integrates people, technology, and processes to deliver sustainable impact. Recognized for translating strategic vision into tangible innovations that contribute to a future-proof energy system.
Since 1 July 2024, serving as Chair of the CIRED Netherlands committee, strengthening international knowledge exchange within the DSO domain.

CV Elise:
Elise Morskieft has over 40 years of experience in research and development of protection and control equipment for medium- and low-voltage installations switchgear, currently working at the R&D department of Eaton as Specialist Protection and Control. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and is a certified Master Black Belt in Design for Six Sigma.
During her career, she has worked on a broad range of technologies, including electronics and embedded systems, explosion safety (ATEX), smart grids, DC grid protection, motor management systems, EMC, and cybersecurity. She has a strong focus on applying DFSS principles to create robust and reliable designs.
She acted as technical lead in the development of iCap, the subject of today’s presentation, and is the holder of several patents in the field.
In addition to her technical work, Elise is actively involved in coaching student teams on robust design and in sharing knowledge with colleagues.
She is passionate about her field and enjoys exchanging ideas and experience with others.

Short CV of Presenting Author:

Maud Toussaint Schurmans is an e-mobility expert at ENGIE Laborelec, ENGIE’s Research & Innovation center. Through a passion for innovative solutions that support the renewable energy transition, she’s been working in the e-mobility sector since 2024, focussing on EV charging and valorising the associated flexibility. She holds a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from the Université Catholique de Louvain, with a specialisation in electrotechnics and electrical energy.

Short CV of Presenting Author:

Daniela Eser studied Mechatronics and Information Technology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), earning both B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees (2015 – 2021). For her Master studies she specialized in energy technologies. Currently she is working as a Research Associate at the Institute of Electrical Energy Systems and High-Voltage Technology (IEH) at KIT and pursuing her PhD. Her current project transforms a real building into a Smart Energy Office Building (SEOB) by installing a hybrid AC/DC microgrid with a hybrid energy storage system.