Thomas Magg, Director and Principal Consultant

Serala Power Consulting provides specialist consulting engineering and advisory services in the areas of HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current), power electronics and FACTS (Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems), power transmission and technology strategy.

 

Key Skills and Experience

Thomas Magg is the Director and Principal Consultant for Serala Power. Thomas has more than 27 years of experience in the electric power industry and has worked in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Sweden. He has extensive experience in project management and project engineering of high voltage AC and DC systems in Africa. His experience includes system conceptualisation at tender stage, preparation of technical specifications and tender documents, tender evaluation, presentations to company boards, contract compilation, design reviews and technical coordination, owners engineer role during project implementation, witnessing of factory tests and system commissioning, and analysis of operational performance. His understanding of the client’s needs, planning and organisational skills and commitment to project execution ensure successful project outcomes.

Thomas has experience in the utility, consulting and equipment supplier sectors. He has close relationships with major suppliers including ABB, GE, Siemens, Trench and Coil Innovation. He is a recognised expert on HVDC and FACTS, and has experience on reactive power compensation and the integration of large non-linear loads into transmission systems.

He has been an active member of CIGRE Study Committee B4 (HVDC and Power Electronics) since 2006, including being the SC-B4 Regular Member for South Africa from 2008 – 2014. He has contributed to a number of CIGRE publications through being a member of several SC-B4 Working Groups, was a co-author of the Eskom HVDC Power Transmission Book (2012) and has published several conference papers.

 

Educational Qualifications

MBA (Technology Management), La Trobe University, Australia (2006)
Diploma in Project Management, University of South Africa, South Africa (1998)
B. Sc. (Electrical Engineering), University of Witwatersrand, South Africa (1989)

 

Professional Registrations and Affiliations

Registered Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng.) with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), Registration No. 960159
Member of South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE)
Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, USA (IEEE)
Member of CIGRE (International Council on Large High Voltage Electric Systems)

 

Through its own skills and experience, and relationships with other specialist consultants, Serala Power can provide a broad range of consulting engineering services throughout the project life cycle from feasibility and planning studies, specification development, owners engineer role during project implementation to commissioning and operational advice.