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True Tech Series: interview with Peter Dopplmair, CTO Trench Group
Trench Consulting: New business area for the future of energy
The energy transition is advancing rapidly, power grids are becoming more complex, regulatory requirements are increasing, and skilled workers are in short supply. Against this backdrop, the Trench Group is establishing a new business area: Trench Consulting. CTO Peter Dopplmair will set up and head the new unit. In this interview, he explains why this step is being taken now, what services customers can expect, and how Trench is positioning itself in the market.
Mr. Dopplmair, why is Trench launching its own consulting services offering now?
Peter Dopplmair: The need is obvious. Networks must function stably, securely, and efficiently—at a time when they are under enormous strain due to the expansion of renewable energies and new technologies. At the same time, there is a shortage of experienced specialists in many places. At Trench, we have decades, and in some areas even more than a century, of experience in high-voltage technology and network solutions. We want to make this knowledge available to our customers not only through products, but also in the form of comprehensive consulting. Our goal is to be able to accompany projects from start to finish—from network analysis and specification to acceptance and operation.
What specific areas does “Trench Consulting” cover?
We have deliberately set up a broad portfolio and defined five key areas:
- Grid studies
- Primary Equipment
- Testing
- Control & Protection
- Training
This sets us apart from many traditional consulting firms, which often only operate in a niche market. We want to give our customers the opportunity to use our services throughout the entire implementation cycle of a project. This also allows us to reduce any interface problems.
Can you describe the individual areas in more detail?
Grid Studies: This involves grid analyses – from traditional AC systems to HVDC solutions. We examine how grids behave, perform quasi-stationary or transient analyses, and deal with insulation coordination and lightning protection issues. The behavior of power electronic components and their behavior in an AC grid can also be examined. In short, we lay the groundwork for grid operators to make informed decisions.
Primary Equipment: In this area, we support customers in the selection, specification, and installation of high-voltage components. We also offer post-mortem analyses. This applies not only to our own products, but also to other components – from power transformers and insulators to surge arresters. We provide support with acceptance tests and standard interpretations and ensure that systems are installed professionally and safely.
Testing: Our expertise in high-voltage test fields is unique. We advise on the construction and operation of such test facilities, assist with material analyses and qualifications – including climate tests. We also contribute our expertise in the field of test equipment, which we develop and manufacture ourselves in Germany.
Control & Protection: This area is particularly specialized. We advise customers on protection systems, for example for extinguished networks or in the area of line differential protection.
Training: Knowledge transfer is an essential part of what we offer. Everything we do in the first four areas can also be conveyed in the form of training—whether online, on-site, or in individually tailored workshops. This enables our customers to deal with complex technologies independently in the long term.
Our services are aimed at a broad spectrum of customers: network operators, both distribution and transmission network operators, energy producers – both conventional and renewable – and energy-intensive industrial companies.
Who are the target groups for Trench Consulting?
Our services are aimed at a broad spectrum of customers: network operators, both distribution and transmission network operators, energy producers – both conventional and renewable – and energy-intensive industrial companies. In addition, we also advise manufacturers in the high-voltage/high-power segment, as well as EPCs, i.e., plant manufacturers who need selective support. The key point is that we see ourselves as a partner for everyone who works in the energy infrastructure sector and wants to implement projects efficiently, safely, and sustainably.
When and how will Trench Consulting be officially launched?
The market launch will take place on October 1, 2025. We will officially announce the new business segment a few days earlier at the CIGRÉ conference in Montreal, one of the most important international events for energy technology this year. There, we will present our offerings at our own booth, accompanied by informational materials and initial discussions with potential customers. At the same time, the website for the consulting division will go online. This will enable us to reach both existing customers and new target groups.
How does Trench Consulting differ from other providers?
Many consulting firms specialize in very narrow subject areas. We, on the other hand, can cover entire projects—from initial studies to on-site implementation—thanks to our broad portfolio and the involvement of experienced partners. We are thus consciously positioning ourselves as an end-to-end partner. And we contribute not only theoretical knowledge, but also decades of practical experience in high-voltage technology. Our customers benefit from a team of in-house experts and long-standing partners.
What can customers expect in the future?
Customers can rely on practical advice that is deeply rooted in the reality of large infrastructure projects. We not only provide advice on projects, but also active support on request – for example, through owner engineers, specification reviews, or site supervision. This ensures that systems are planned and implemented in such a way that they function reliably in the long term.
Your conclusion?
With Trench Consulting, we are closing a gap in the market. We offer a combination of broad expertise ranging from systems to primary equipment to implementation, decades of experience, and customized consulting. Our goal is not only to support the energy transition, but to actively enable it—together with our customers.
True Tech
In this series of interviews, Trench Group CTO Peter Dopplmair provides regular updates on developments in the energy industry and innovative advances at Trench.
