August 2026, Issue 8 (866)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Iwona GAJDA
Opole University of Technology and its Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
Automatic Control and Informatics are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year

Krzysztof KLUSZCZYŃSKI
Piano-Aided Reflections on the History of Electricity.
From “Individual α” to H. Hertz

 

POWER ENGINEERING AND PRODUCTION COMPANIES

Wiesław GIL
Transformer monitoring in the new reality

 

Paweł MOLENDA, Mariusz TALAGA
Analyzing the causes of transformer failures in photovoltaic farms

Bogumił DUDEK, Paweł MOLENDA
Switchgear – Live Working Operation

 

POWER ENGINEERING AND LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY

Bartłomiej ZGODA, Adam PILŚNIAK
Road luminance in real operating conditions

 

COMPETITIONS, DISTINCTIONS, AWARDS

Tomasz RUSEK
KCompetition for the best thesis on electrical engineering with an environmental focus

 

POLISH POWER ENGINEERS

Bogumił DUDEK
Jerzy Lepecki (1931–2023)

 

Bogumił DUDEK
Witnesses to the Life of Fr. Kolbe in Auschwitz

 

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SUMMARIES

 

Krzysztof KLUSZCZYŃSKI
Piano-Aided Reflections on the History of Electricity.
From “Individual α” to H. Hertz
The article presents the history of electricity, from natural atmospheric discharges and the discovery of amber’s properties to the development of electromagnetism and modern electrical engineering. The author combines the description of scientific discoveries with humanistic reflection and references to music, portraying electricity not only as a foundation of technology but also as a source of inspiration and human fascination.

 

Wiesław GIL
Transformer monitoring in the new reality
Nowadays challenging climatic conditions and operating demands are worsening power transformer operating conditions. This creates new requirements but also opportunities for the development of online transformer monitoring systems. Newly developed and implemented systems already incorporate elements of AI, such as the “digital twin” technology discussed in the article.

 

Paweł MOLENDA, Mariusz TALAGA
Analyzing the causes of transformer failures in photovoltaic farms
This article presents the problem of transformer failures in renewable energy installations, including PV farms. It emphasizes that, due to unexplained causes, this is a broader problem, likely also on a European scale. The article highlights the operating conditions of such transformers and attempts to analyze the causes of their failures. An example of continuous monitoring of transformer status using a PMU device is provided.

Bogumił DUDEK, Paweł MOLENDA
Switchgear – Live Working Operation
The article presents the scope and possibilities of operation and replacement of equipment at HV and EHV substations using live working (LW) techniques. It is emphasized that this approach constitutes a modern alternative to traditional diagnostics on de-energized objects. Attention is drawn to safe working methods, robotization issues, and examples of comprehensive substation modernizations worldwide. It is indicated that incorporating LW requirements as early as the design stage of facilities will allow for their more effective maintenance in the future.

 

Bartłomiej ZGODA, Adam PILŚNIAK
Road luminance in real operating conditions
This paper describes research focused on assessing roadway luminance in actual operating conditions, i.e., in situations that deviate from design assumptions. It analyzes how road surface type and condition, variable weather conditions, and the presence of road markings affect road lighting parameters. The results of field measurements were compared with simulations conducted in the DIALux software and compared to the requirements of the PN-EN 13201:2016 standard. The differences obtained compared to the design values indicate that operating conditions should be considered more carefully during the planning and design phase of lighting installations.