From May 6 to 9, 2026, our APC Media Team had the privilege of participating in the 7th International Colloquium “Transformer Research and Asset Management” (ICTRAM), held in the picturesque coastal town of Cavtat, Croatia. The event brought together an elite assembly of leading experts, researchers, manufacturers, and utilities from around the world, making Cavtat the global epicenter of the transformer industry for those four days. Together, they addressed the evolving challenges of the power sector, exchanged knowledge and expertise, and explored innovative approaches shaping the future of transformer research and asset management.
As a premier event in the field, ICTRAM 2026 provided a vital platform for sharing cutting edge scientific developments and exploring technologies essential for the reliability and performance of power transformers. The event’s prestige was highlighted by Goran Slipac, representing the National Committee CIGRÉ Croatia, who noted the colloquium’s impressive trajectory:
Over the years, the ICTRAM Colloquium has successfull elevated itself to a world-class scientific and professional event, attracting leading global experts, manufacturers, and utilities to exchange groundbreaking ideas on transformer technology. National Commitee CIGRÉ is very proud of these remarkable achievements.
A Synergy of Science and Industry
The colloquium’s success is rooted in the robust cooperation between academic research and practical industrial application. This year’s program was supported by a prestigious group of institutions, including the CIGRÉ National Committee of Croatia, CIGRÉ Study Committee A2 – Transformers, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb (FER), and the Centre of Excellence for Transformers. This collaboration resulted in a high quality technical program that featured keynote presentations, technical sessions, and tutorials. Beyond the lecture halls, an exhibition area allowed participants to engage directly with technology providers, while professional excursions and networking activities facilitated a deep exchange of experience among the global community.
Digitalization: The New Frontier
A central pillar of ICTRAM 2026 was the transformative role of digitalization and asset performance management. Discussions centered on how advanced monitoring and data-driven maintenance strategies are becoming indispensable for managing critical energy infrastructure. Aleksei Smirnov from Reinhausen (MR) emphasized this shift during the event:
I had the pleasure of representing MR at ICTRAM 2026, which remains a highly valuable platform for exchange within the transformer industry. This year’s discussions clearly highlighted the growing importance of digitalization and asset performance management in improving reliability and extending the lifetime of power transformers. The conference provided practical insights and open dialogue between utilities, manufacturers, and experts.
The dialogue between manufacturers and utilities underscored a collective commitment to developing solutions that meet the shifting demands of the modern energy sector.
Networking and Innovative Solutions
The event also served as a catalyst for new connections and the introduction of innovative technologies designed to maximize operational efficiency. Marcelo Werneck, VP of Business Development at Optics11, highlighted the value of these international connections:
ICTRAM brought together an outstanding international community of transformer experts, creating the ideal environment for valuable technical discussions, new connections, and conversations about how solutions like OptiFender can help improve transformer uptime.
Through these interactions, participants explored how emerging technologies could support the creation of more reliable and sustainable power systems worldwide.
A Lasting Scientific Legacy
The impact of ICTRAM 2026 extends far beyond the four days in Cavtat. To ensure the research reaches a wider audience, selected papers from the colloquium will be recommended for publication in special issues of the Springer Electrical Engineering Journal and the Journal of Energy. This provides significant international visibility for the innovations presented during the event.
As the colloquium concluded, it was clear that ICTRAM 2026 had once again confirmed its status as a leading international gathering. By connecting research institutions with industry giants, the event continues to drive the digital transformation and reliability of the world’s power transformer fleets.
This article was originally published in the September 2026 issue of the Innovations In Insulation Systems magazine.
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