The Study Committee B2 of CIGRE (Overhead lines) covers AC and DC Overhead Lines, their poles, towers and their foundations, conductors, earth wires, optical cables and their associated insulators, joints, hardware and accessories. Within its technical field of activity, Study Committee B2 addresses topics throughout the asset management life-cycle phases; from conception, through research, development, design, production, deployment, operation, and end-of life. At all stages, technical, safety, economic, environmental and social aspects are addressed as well as interactions with, and integration into, the evolving power system and the environment. All aspects of performance, specification, testing and the application of testing techniques are within scope, with a specific focus on the impact of changing interactions and demands due to evolution of the power system. Life cycle assessment techniques, risk management techniques, education and training are also important aspects.Professor Farzaneh is an IEEE Life Fellow, IET Fellow, CIGRE Fellow, EIC Fellow and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). His research has focused on elucidating the complex multiphysics phenomena resulting from the interactions of electric fields, liquid water and ice or snow on ground wires, phase conductors and insulators. Advanced laboratory tests, multidisciplinary mathematical modelling and novel numerical implementations, as well as field studies of natural icing, have supported this research and led to associated technological innovations. He has been President of IEEE DEIS (2013), chair and contributor to IEEE 1783 and IEEE P1820. He has been Member of CIGRE Canada executive committee, Convenor of CIGRE WG B2.44, B2.29 as well as contributor to CIGRE TB 179, TB 256, TB 291, TB 322, TB 438, TB 631 and TB 645. He is a prolific author with close to 300 papers in archival journals, 400 papers in international refereed conference proceedings, 3 books and 14 book chapters as well as 350 technical articles and reports; for a lifetime total of almost 1200 publications (citations: 13 317, H-Index: 58, I-index: 217). Six of his publications have been recognized as best articles in various international forums. On 55 occasions, Prof. Farzaneh has also given keynote lectures. As mentor, he has trained about 250 highly qualified personnel, including 48 PhDs, 44 Masters and 38 Postdoctoral.He was Editor-in-Chief of IET High Voltage Journal and is presently Convenor of CIGRE B2.69 on Coatings for power network equipment. His contributions and achievements in research and teaching have been recognized by several prestigious prizes and awards at national and international levels. In recognition of his outstanding contribution and impact, the Masoud Farzaneh Award was established in 2010 by University of Quebec in Chicoutimi in his honour.Dr. William A. Chisholm is an IEEE Life Fellow, consultant to the electric power industry and graduate lecturer at the University of Toronto, Canada. He obtained a B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto in 1977, an M.Eng. in 1979 and a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo in 1983. His primary research in 30 years at Kinectrics the former Ontario Hydro Research Division, was in lightning protection, grounding, thermal rating of conductors and icing flashover performance of insulators. He has co-authored two books, seven book chapters, eight CIGRE Technical Brochure chapters, four IEEE Standards and more than 20 refereed journal papers. Since 1997, he has given more than 20 invited lectures, CIGRE technical brochure tutorials and keynote addresses at international conferences. He convenes CIGRE Study Committee B2/C4 Joint Working Group 76 on transmission line rebuilding and refurbishing projects.
