SCC Congratulates IEC 2016 Thomas A. Edison Award Winner

July 17, 2016

Robert Arseneault was recently awarded the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 2016 Thomas A. Edison Award for exceptional achievement, dedicated service and significant contributions to the IEC through the effective management of technical committees (TCs) or subcommittees (SCs) by TC/SC officers (Chair, Secretary or Assistant Secretary) or by officers of the IEC Conformity Assessment Systems and their subsidiary bodies.

Nominated by the IEC Canadian National Committee for his outstanding achievements and dedication to the IEC, Arseneault has been the International Secretary of IEC TC4 Hydraulic Turbines since 1992. He recently played a major role in assisting Japan with hosting the IEC TC4 Plenary meeting in Tokyo after the Fukushima tragedy. He has also been particularly instrumental in the publication of dual logo standards like IEC/IEEE, where the coordination of editing, comments and planning are essential.

Robert Arseneault continually coaches and supports the IEC TC4 working groups, providing guidance and assistance through all phases of their activities. In the last five years, he worked closely with the Chairs to launch two new working groups; MT31 on Turbine Residual Life and WG33 on Pressure Fluctuations. He went above and beyond to ensure that there were no obstacles to the success of the projects, and worked with the IEC Central office to guide these groups through every step. The project on Turbine Residual Life was performed in less than six years, a significant accomplishment given that previous projects have often required ten or more years.

Through his wide network, Arsenault has helped increase the number of participating countries on the TC to 21 and the number of members to 165. He regularly makes presentations at international conferences and has contributed five articles to the IEC E-Tech News magazine on matters of interest to IEC TC4.