Welcome Message from Conference Chairman
It is our great pleasure to welcome researchers and engineers from around the world to the 8th International Conference on Electric Power Equipment – Switching Technology (ICEPE-ST 2027) in Niigata, Japan.
Switching in electric power equipment is a momentary phenomenon, yet it plays a fundamental role in the reliability and safety of power systems. The behavior of arcs, contacts, insulation, vacuum, and gases during switching and interruption involves complex interactions between fundamental physics and engineering practice. Understanding these phenomena and translating that knowledge into reliable equipment has been at the heart of the ICEPE-ST community.
Today, our field is facing new challenges. The transition toward a sustainable and environmentally responsible society calls for new approaches to switching technology, including SF6 alternatives, advanced interruption technologies for both AC and DC systems, and innovative concepts for future power equipment. Addressing these challenges requires us to connect fundamental understanding with practical engineering and to look beyond established boundaries.
ICEPE-ST 2027 provides an opportunity to bring together researchers and engineers from around the world to exchange ideas, deepen our understanding, and explore new approaches to switching technology. We hope that the discussions and encounters in Niigata will contribute to the development of the electric power equipment of the future.
Niigata is a historic port city facing the Sea of Japan, where the Shinano River meets the sea. Visitors can enjoy the waterfront and the historic Furumachi district, stroll across the iconic Bandai Bridge, and explore the Niigata City History Museum and other cultural sites that reflect the city’s history. Just beyond the city, rice fields, mountains, and traditional towns offer a glimpse of the landscapes and local life of Niigata Prefecture. We hope you will take some time to explore Niigata and enjoy its unique character during your stay.
We warmly welcome you to ICEPE-ST 2027 and look forward to sharing with you the science, technology, and ideas that will shape switching technology for a sustainable and environmentally responsible society.
On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee of ICEPE-ST 2027, Prof. Y. Yokomizu