Residential fires of electrical origin have been a major concern for a long time. A fire can be initiated by excessive current (due to an overload or a short circuit), or arcing current. Therefore, the installation of overcurrent protection devices (OCPDs) to detect and clear excessive current is required in both Canada and the USA. Conversely, arcing current is too low for OCPDs to detect. It could take an electric arc, minutes, days, weeks, months, or even years to initiate a fire. Therefore, a new solution was required for detecting those slowly developing arcs. Thus, Arc-fault Circuit-Interrupters (AFCIs) were born. AFCIs are capable of detecting an arcing condition (while still developing) and de-energizing the circuit before the arcing circuit ignites.

Since their introduction as a code requirement at the turn of the 21st century, AFCIs have sparked considerable controversy in the Canada and the US because of a lack of clear understanding of AFCIs operation, available technologies, and their capabilities. Over the past few years, there has been a notable rise in the popularity of arc fault detection technologies on the European market, especially with the introduction of Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), the European version of AFCIs. This presentation attempts to clarify the confusion surrounding AFCI and AFDD technologies, applications, and success in making an impact on residential electrical fires.

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission is becoming a key component in the future of power grids, especially to enable large-scale integration of renewable energy sources and the development of continental supergrids. In this context, the reliability of HVDC cable insulation systems represents a major technological challenge. Recent research has shown that extruded polymeric systems—although widely used for AC applications—exhibit significant issues under DC conditions, mainly due to space charge accumulation within the dielectric. This phenomenon locally distorts the electric field distribution, promoting breakdown initiation and accelerating aging processes.

To mitigate these effects, major efforts are being devoted to the development of nanocomposite insulation materials, created by adding nanofillers (e.g., MgO, SiO₂, graphene) to the polymer matrix. These materials demonstrate improved dielectric behavior due to the formation of deep trap sites that reduce charge injection and accumulation. Additional strategies include the application of nanostructured surface coatings—organic-inorganic hybrids or graphene-based—on the dielectric, which effectively suppress charge injection at the electrodes. However, the industrial implementation of such solutions still faces challenges, especially in achieving homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion along cable lengths of several kilometers.

At the same time, increasing attention is being paid to environmentally sustainable materials. Thermoplastic polypropylene-based compounds, which are fully recyclable, are emerging as an alternative to XLPE due to their higher thermal stability and better performance under polarity reversal conditions. The future challenge lies in developing dielectric materials that combine high performance, low space charge accumulation, and environmental sustainability—paving the way for safe, reliable, and green HVDC power networks.

A reflection on his professional journey, highlighting the challenges he encountered while moving from undergraduate to graduate studies and then embarking on a career in the industry. Throughout the talk, he will share some of the significant peaks and troughs of his career, underscoring a few of the key lessons learned along the way. You will leave the audience with food for thought on nurturing your personal and professional development.