Em.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Dr.h.c. at the Graz University of Technology
TU Graz

Since 1990 Head of the Institute and Test Institute of High Voltage Engineering and System Management of TU Graz and according university act (UG 2002) since 2002 Head of the Institute of High Voltage Engineering and System Management of TU Graz, retired in October 2012, and Managing Director of the Test Institution of High Voltage Engineering Graz Ltd. (VAH Graz Ltd.), retired in December 2016

From 2003 to 2007 Head of the Senate and from 2007 to 2011 Vice-rector for Academic Affairs at Graz University of Technology

Membership in national and international societies as ÖVE, ÖGE, DKE, IEEE, IEC and CIGRE (convenor and member of different working groups) and member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts

Guest-Professor at the Chongqing University in China and co-operations with institutes in Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, China, India as well as industry and utilities

More than 210 publications and reports, more than 170 lectures and supervisor of more than 160 diploma thesis, 55 doctoral thesis and 3 habilitations.

Co-author of two books (“Partial Discharges – Detection, Identification and Localization” and “Biological Insulating Liquids”) and a contribution to the book “Nano- and Micro-Composites for Electrical Engineering Applications”

Various recognitions and medals: Milan Vidmar Medal from EIMV in Ljubljana, Prof. Josef Stefan Medal from ÖVE in Vienna, Medal of Honor from University in Kosice in Slovakia, Prof Alfons Hoffmann Medal from SEP in Poland, Hans-Prinz-Award of the International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering (ISH), Honorary Doctoral (Dr.h.c). of the West Bohemian University of Plzen, CIGRE and IEC - Awards, “Grand Silver Cross of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria” awarded by the Federal President of the Republic of Austria.

JAYOON KOO received a bachelor’s degree from Seoul National University in 1975 in Korea, a Master's degree from ENSEEIHT in 1980, and a Dr. Eng. from ENSIEG in 1984, all in electrical engineering in France. Afterward, his post-doctorate program was done at the EDF R&D Center at Renardière in France for one and a half years. On his return to Korea in 1985, he worked at KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology) for three years. Since March 1988, he has served as a professor at the electrical engineering department of Hanyang University till Feb. 2016 and now become professor emeritus.

Directing the Smart Measurement & Diagnosis Technology Laboratory since 1988, his primary research concern is in HV insulation of power apparatus using partial discharge (PD) diagnosis by designing and fabricating diverse sensors and systems to detect PDs. He has published around 200 papers in conference proceedings and journals covering high-voltage engineering, electrical insulating materials, and PD diagnosis. The establishment of “The Center for Electro-Fusion Technology” in 2003, under the financial support of the Korean government, was a significant step towards enhancing the high-voltage engineering capabilities of industries and academia in Korea. His work has not only raised the capability of stakeholders in high-voltage engineering but also inspired a hopeful future for the field, demonstrating the potential for significant advancements in the coming years.

In a rapidly evolving world, collaboration between industries, universities, and research institutions is crucial, especially in vital fields like power engineering. Therefore, he made efforts to utilize the university workforce through sectors in the power engineering business; on his return to Korea, he joined CIGRE (https://www.cigre.org/ ) instead of IEEE DEIS, unlike other professors in Asia. In addition, domestic and international patents were achieved, and his presentations were made at every CIGRE session without interruption from 1986 until 2022.

Prof. Koo's international impact is undeniable, as evidenced by his service to CIGRE and other organizations. He has served as RM (Regular Member) for SC-B1 (Insulated power cable:1988-2000) and SC-D1(Materials and Emerging technology:2000-2008), Chairman of Asia Oceania Regional Council of CIGRE (2004-2006), CIGRE Technical Committee elected member (2004-2006, 2020-2022), CIGRE Administrative Council member (2004-2022), and Steering Committee elected member (2014~2016).

His work has been recognized with the <Honorary Member Award> at the centennial anniversary ceremony of the CIGRE in 2021. After forty years of dedication and perseverance since 1984, he was honored with the <CIGRE Medal 2024> Award, as shown in the attached photo. Over the decades, he has witnessed the incredible impact that CIGRE has had on both industry and academia, and such cooperation holds even more potential for the future.

His international impact is further demonstrated by his hosting two major international meetings, ISH 2013 (International Symposium of High Voltage Engineering) and CMD 2014 (Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis), held in Korea, fostering a sense of pride and connection among his colleagues. He was nominated as the <Hans Printz Award> awardee at ISH 2023 in Glasgow. He has also been with the International Scientific and Technical Committee (ISTC) of Jicable since 1991 and served as its chairman for Jicable 2019.

In October 2022, he served as an editorial board member at ELECTRA, encouraging young engineers to publish technical articles based on their work in the Asia-Oceania Reginal Council member countries. Since 2023, 10 young engineers from Japan, China, and Korea have been scheduled to have their articles published every year.

Prof. Gockenbach received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Technical University of Darmstadt in 1974 and 1979, respectively. After industrial positions with Siemens AG in Berlin and Haefely AG in Basel, he was appointed professor of high voltage engineering and director of the Schering-Institute of High Voltage Engineering at Leibniz University Hannover in 1990, a position he held until his retirement in 2014.

He has played leading roles in numerous international organizations, including serving as Chairman of IEC TC 42 “High-voltage and high-current test techniques,” Secretary and Chairman of CIGRE Study Committees, and as a member of various IEEE, IEC, and CIGRE working groups. He has also served on advisory boards of major international conferences and editorial boards of leading journals.

Prof. Gockenbach has been a key supporter of ISH for decades, actively participating since 1979 with publications and student involvement. He served as the General Chair of ISH 2011 in Hannover, and since then has been a dedicated member of the International Steering Committee, contributing significantly to the development and success of the symposium.

His remarkable achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including IEEE Life Fellowship, Honorary Membership of CIGRE, the CIGRE Distinguished Member Award, the IEC 1906 Award, and the IEEE Working Group Recognition Award.

Based on these outstanding achievements, the International Steering Committee decided to present the Hans Prinz Award 2025 to Prof. Ernst Gockenbach.