Optics11 is a Dutch deep-tech company that turns fiber-optic sensing into actionable intelligence for power-grid assets. Our flagship solution, OptiFender, detects and pin-points partial discharge inside live transformers, HV bushings, GIS and cable terminations within 20 cm accuracy and at sub-3 pC sensitivity, long before conventional methods raise an alarm.
OptiFender’s passive, non-metallic sensors are immune to EMI, require no calibration and can be retrofitted in hours without de-energising the unit. Utilities gain real-time, phase-synchronised data for predictive maintenance; OEMs validate insulation quality during FAT; service companies shorten outage investigations and offer higher-value contracts.
A single OptiFender ExpertHub unit reads up to 32 channels, streams automatically analysed PRPD plots and delivers instant reports with actionable insights. Deployed across Europe and Asia in partnership with leading TSOs, DSOs and transformer manufacturers, OptiFender is redefining asset health for a more resilient, future-proof grid.
OPTIFENDER® - Fast PD localization, maximized lifetime extension
The world’s first passive fiber optic PD monitoring system
Contact:
+31 20 809 6002 | sales@optics11.com | www.optics11.com
Optics11 B.V. | Hogehilweg 1, 1101 CA Amsterdam | The Netherlands
Diego Pattaro holds a Bachelor and a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Padova. After experiences in the field of mechanical design, he embarked in his journey into the electrical world with DASOTEC Company. At DASOTEC, he has been active in various roles, ranging from promotion, sales and assistance of monitoring systems and electrical test equipment, primarily for power transformers, to performing on-site installations and commissioning of monitoring devices, organization of testing and maintenance tasks, and hands-on work with maintenance activities and transformer oil treatment, combining both the intellectual activity with practical application. Currently he serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DASOTEC, where he continues to sharpen his expertise and knowledge within the world of electromechanics.
James Reid holds a MSc Reliability Engineering & Safety Management from Heriot Watt University and a BEng Chemical Engineering from University of Edinburgh. He has been a chartered Chemical Engineer with the IChemE since 2002 and is also a member of ASTM. Based in the UK, James leads the technical applications team providing global support for all the ester-based products manufactured by global specialty materials company M&I Materials, including the MIDEL range of dielectric liquids. Prior to joining the technical team at M&I Materials in 2019, James has over two decades experience in technical and operational management roles with major UK utility, leading international chemical, and specialist oil companies.
Jean SANCHEZ is senior transformer engineer at EDF, French main generation utility, mostly on investigations, tests and its associated diagnosis, Factory Acceptance Tests, HV bushings, fleet assessments. He’s involved in IEC and CIGRE working groups. He completed a PhD degree on power transformers fault diagnosis in 2011 with a French power transformer reparation factory, TSV.
Ufuk Kivrak has BS and MS degrees in mechanical engineering. He has more than 25 years of industrial experience in transformers and power grid industries. He has worked for ABB in several management positions in Turkey, Thailand and Switzerland. He has led Supply Chain Management organization of ABB Transformer business globally from 2003 to 2015, which included explosive growth of transformer market from 2003 to 2008, which was followed by a market collapse in 2009 and onwards. In 2015, he has joined Alstom Grid as VP-Strategic Sourcing and continued as Head of Strategic Sourcing in GE Grid Solutions after Alstom was acquired by GE. Currently he is Managing Director of SCM Consulting GmbH.
Armando Pastore received his mechanical engineering master’s degree from University of Naples Federico II. After the graduation he had different experiences in automotive and railway sectors. He joined the power grid business sector in 2012 working as R&D mechanical engineer and product industrialization with special focus on transformer and wall bushings for HVDC application. Since 2015 he has been working at GE Grid Solution covering different roles as engineering manufacturing, production, technical and product manager. In 2022 he has been appointed chair for Italy SC 36A – Insulated bushings.
Riccardo Actis was born in 1969 He holds a degree in mechanical engineering, obtained from Polytechnic University of Turin in 1995. Today he is the Global Operation Manager of the On-Site Service Department at Sea Marconi, with more than 25 years of experience in organization and follow-up of on-site work activities, in Italy, France, Spain, and other countries (KSA, Argentina, Uruguay, Japan). Riccardo has a deep knowledge of condition-based maintenance, as well as treatment and decontamination techniques of insulating liquids.
Dr. Diego Robalino is the Global Industry Director – Utilities Transformers at Megger. He specializes in the diagnosis of complex electrical testing procedures and the strategic development of state-of-the-art transformer testing technology. He has over 25 years of involvement in the electrical engineering profession with management responsibilities in the power systems, oil and gas, and research arenas.
Vojko Mrdic has been working as applications engineer in transformer testing group at DV Power, a well-known manufacturer of test and measurement equipment for electric power industry. His responsibilities include development of new methods for transformer testing, providing technical support to DV Power customers, as well as performing on-site field testing. Before joining DV Power 13 years ago, he had been working at the large apparatus manufacturer Energoinvest RAOP for 1 year as a junior engineer in circuit breakers and instrument transformers development department. Vojko has a BSc diploma degree in electrical engineering from the University of East Sarajevo.
Roberto Fernández is an experienced Electrical Engineer who has spent most of his career on the transformer design field and R&D activities focused on the magneto-electric and thermal design for a wide range of transformer applications. He is member of the IEC, CIGRE and several national and international working groups. He is currently the Application Technical Leader at Cargill Bioindustrial.
Field Service engineer since 1976 working for Merlin-Gerin on GIS Switchgear, Schneider Electric Equipment, JST Tranformateurs , following in SIEMENS as African Aera sales Manager and JST Maintenance as business development
Dr. Sameera completed his Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Honors) and Master of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. After graduating, he worked as a High Voltage Laboratory Instructor at the University of Peradeniya and as a Research Assistant in the Condition Monitoring Team at the Engineering Design Centre. He then pursued his PhD at the University of Queensland, Australia. Following that, he joined the same university as a postdoctoral research fellow, where he investigated the use of drone footage and Machine Learning technologies for detecting overhead conductor defects. After completing his fellowship, he became a consultant at EA Technology, one of the world’s leading asset management consultancy service providers. Currently, he works as an asset strategy engineer at Energy Queensland, the largest distribution network service provider in Australia.
Christian Pößniker received the B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the Technical University of Munich, Germany, in 2015 and 2019, respectively and the B.Eng. (Hons) and M.Eng. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Queensland, Australia, in 2017. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree within the Centre for Smart Grid, Department of Engineering, at the University of Exeter, United Kingdom. He has previously worked as a certified electronics technician after receiving a craftsman apprenticeship in Germany in 2010. His research interests include ageing transformer insulation systems and overloading constraints.
Vander Tumiatti is the founder and owner of SEA MARCONI GROUP (since 1968 – www.seamarconi.com), Torino, Italy, an international company that is involved in research, technologies, products, and services for energy and environment. He has developed BAT and BEP Sustainable Solutions for Life Cycle Management (LCM) of insulating liquids and transformers focalized on inventory, control, diagnosis, decontamination, depolarization (DBDS, TCS, and polar compounds) and dehalogenation / detoxification (PCBs/POPs). He holds more than 40 international patents and is the author of many international technical and scientific publications. He has been the Assistant Secretary of IEC TC10 from 2000 to 2024. He is also a member of several international groups, with major participation in technical normative activities (CEN, IEC, CIGRE, IEEE). In 2009 June, he received – “1906 Award”, the IEC’s award for “the precious contribution to the understanding of the potentially corrosive behaviour of mineral insulating oil used in power transformers and for his discoveries, recognized worldwide, in the development of diagnostic chemical analyses”. He also received the “Alessandro Volta” award as expert since 1978 in the standardization activities. He was the coordinator of European and national research projects in the field of circular and granular bioeconomy (BIOENPRO®). He also inventor of My Transfo Meeting since 2002 (www.mytransfo.com)
Dr Bruce Pahlavanpour BSC, DIC, PHD from Imperial College, London. Recently he joined Ergon International as consultant. Dr Pahlavanpour was Chief Specialist for the Electrical industry application group within Nynas TDMS.
Fabio Scatiggio was born in Venezia, Italy, in 1957.