Next Generation DKE

DKE: How did you get involved with the Next Generation DKE?

Annette: When I started my journey in standardization in 2016, I had no knowledge of the Next Generation DKE, which was a missed opportunity. It was only through applying for the IEC Young Professionals Program the following year that I learned about the existence of Next Generation DKE. Therefore, it is very important to me to raise awareness about Next Generation and provide early support for new standardizers.

DKE: What area of work are you the contact person for at Next Generation DKE?

Annette: I hold the volunteer leadership position at Next Generation DKE and, together with Alena, actively shape the continuously expanding offerings of Next Generation DKE. Furthermore, I represent our community externally as well as within the Steering Committee (LA) and the Technical Committee for International and National Coordination (TBINK) of DKE.

DKE: What topics or projects are you currently working on, and what excites you about them?

Annette: I work at Robert Bosch GmbH and I am involved in two different areas of standardization. Firstly, in the field of optical radiation safety, which includes ensuring that new laser products, such as Lidar systems or data glasses, do not cause harm to the eyes or skin. Secondly, I am engaged in battery standardization for eBikes, which presents us with several challenges, especially in light of the new battery regulation.

DKE: How do you want to support other Young Professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Annette: I aim to provide Next Generation DKE as a hub and community for all new norm-setters. This includes a diverse range of events and support in whose organization I am directly involved:

• Standardization Bootcamps "STANDARD in a DAY" 
• DKE YP Camp with an annual change in thematic focus
• Lectures on electrical engineering standardization at universities and conferences
• Mentor in the DKE Mentoring Program
• Networking of Young Professionals from different countries and support for the IEC Young Professionals

DKE: How did you get involved with Next Generation DKE?

Stefan: With the change from the development/testing of air conditioning systems to the area of requirements definition and approval of air conditioning systems, I was looking for opportunities to expand my knowledge in the area of standardization. In the process, I became aware of the Next Generation DKE, which offers me a good springboard into my new field of work thanks to its networking.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Stefan:I am on the Next Generation DKE as a representative for the air conditioning sector with a special focus on the camping industry.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you excited about them?

Stefan: The world is currently in a state of upheaval in terms of climate policy. In air conditioning technology, I can see this above all in the discussions about refrigerants and the F-Gas Regulation. However, the changeover of refrigerants is also associated with new requirements from the standards. This is precisely where I come in and contribute my expertise from air conditioning technology to electrotechnical standardization in order to find the optimum solution for the climate, safety, the product and the market.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Stefan: It is important to think outside the box of one's field. We can only achieve a good result together. I would therefore encourage everyone to contact us if they are interested in standardization and to take advantage of the exchange of experience.

Thanks to the Next Generation DKE, I have also been sent out to the IEC Young Professionals Program in 2022 together with Mareen Tiedemann and Michael Dopichai, which has provided a great deal of new insight and contacts in international standardization. We would like to share this wealth of experience with other young people in order to keep standardization work young and dynamic.

DKE: How did you get involved with Next Generation DKE?

Michael: I studied electrical engineering and do work in the development of electric locomotives at Siemens.

My work routinely deals with the application of standards. As a result, I found out about the DKE and the Next Generation DKE program and, among other things, I participated in the “Standard in a Day” boot camp.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Michael: From now on – as the new topic representative of Next Generation DKE – I will report on the topics of railroad technology and functional safety, and share exciting news in this field with young professionals.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you excited about them?

Michael: With railroads we have a technology where electromobility has been the standard for decades.

There are also many technical aspects that make railroads very energy efficient. The steel wheels and their low rolling friction, for example, make it possible for one person to pull a 90-ton locomotive. In comparison, for a 20-ton truck you should certainly be a strongman and be equipped with special footwear.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Michael: Well, since I have only been actively involved in standardization work for a short amount of time myself, I hope to be able to openly discuss my own initial experience in standardization with other young professionals.

And thus, I would like to inspire the one or the other for Next Generation DKE or active standardization work. Naturally, the topic of railroad standardization and railroad technology is particularly important to me.

DKE: How did you become involved with Next Generation DKE?

Lea: I found out about DKE through my previous employer, Miele & Cie. KG, and I also had the opportunity to have my master's thesis funded through the DKE Science-to-Standards program.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Lea: I've been the topic representative for medical technology at Next Generation DKE since June 2021. While I was doing my bachelor's degree I studied medical engineering and then I obtained a general master of engineering degree in product development.

I’m incredibly enthusiastic about this sector because medical technology products can enormously improve the quality of life for patients and even prolong life in many cases. Thus, we are actively helping to ensure that medicine continues to improve.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you so excited about them?

Lea: : I work as a risk manager at Dräger in Lübeck, where I'm primarily responsible for software products in the field of intensive care medicine.
As a highly regulated sector, medical technology is bound by numerous regulations and standards. During my studies, I focused in particular on meeting the cybersecurity requirements for medical devices and dealt with the vulnerability reporting system and disclosure of security advisories.

What interests me most here is that with every networked product there is always a certain probability that it will involve security vulnerabilities. The best possible security is always the result of risk management. In my opinion, this requires support, but also clear guidelines through standardization.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Lea: Since I think it is important that young people are also heard in standardization, it is essential that ideas be exchanged – Next Generation DKE is the perfect venue for this.

In this regard I already had the opportunity to participate in a very well designed boot camp on the topic of “Standard in a Day” and I am always very happy to attend the get-togethers for standardization regulars. Both help me in my activities in various standardization committees. I would like to pass on precisely these experiences.

DKE: How did you become involved with Next Generation DKE?

Christian: As a fairly new employee at the German Employers’ Liability Insurance Association for Energy, Textiles, Electrical and Media Products (BG ETEM), I am currently working my way into the multifaceted world of standardization, among other things. That's also how I found out about Next Generation DKE.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Christian: I'm the topic representative for "Occupational Safety - Electrical Hazards" at Next Generation DKE.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you so excited about them?

Christian: I studied electrical engineering and now I work for BG ETEM.
At our technical competence center we aim to prevent occupational accidents, occupational illnesses and work-related health hazards in relation to areas involving electrotechnology. In addition to providing support for their prevention work, our efforts aim at counteracting electrical hazards in a preventive manner as a partner to employers and insured persons in member companies. Therefore, we are involved in standardization, among other things.

What excites me personally about standardization work is the fact that I can participate in discussions on future technical rules with a focus on the safe operation of electrical systems, and that I can always exchange ideas with like-minded people about such technical aspects.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Christian: After having gained a bit of experience over the past several months, I would like to pass this on through personal exchange. I would also like to keep other young professionals up to date with reports on standardization work with regard to occupational safety and electrical hazards in order to get them interested in this topic.

DKE: How did you become involved with Next Generation DKE?

Mareen: I came into contact with Next Generation DKE through my former professor, Dr. Knut Blind, back when I wanted to know more about international standardization in 2019. At that time, I was given the opportunity to sit in as an observer on a maintenance team for IEC 61400-23 (testing of rotor blades in wind turbines).

In general, I find standardization useful and exciting , which is why I have been volunteering with Next Generation DKE since 2019. Personally, I find it to be particularly good to get to know other young professionals who are also interested in standardization.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Mareen: As sponsor of a table for regulars' at Next Generation DKE, I participate in the preparation and follow-up of these tables and chair the discussions among regular participants during these get-togethers.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you so excited about them?

Mareen: Professionally, my core focus is on wind power. I studied mechanical engineering for my bachelor’s degree and wind energy for my master’s degree, and I am enthusiastic about supporting the energy transition from an engineering perspective. As part of my doctorate I am sometimes involved in standardization in order to improve the experimental structural testing of rotor blades.

For me, it is important that standardization in wind power is also a very important component of the international energy transition. I think that as the “next generation” we can learn from experienced colleagues and also participate and have our say. And that can also be fun!

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Mareen: Some time ago I put out the idea of a table for the regulars. Next Generation DKE liked it and so we started the table for the regulars this year. With the table for the regulars we want to make it possible to have informative networking between us members. In this way we can get to know each other and stay connected, despite general spatial separation or the pandemic. I consider this to be an important means of support, especially for young people interested in standardization in a subject area which is quite often perceived as being pretty dry.

DKE: How did you get involved with Next Generation DKE?

Batuhan: I came to Next Generation DKE via the VDE Young Net, initially through standardization regulars' tables, and then I had the opportunity to meet some members of Next Generation DKE in person at events. The network, the people, the motivation of individuals and the drive of the group ultimately made me a part of Next Generation DKE.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Batuhan: I am a community representative and, in the technical sense, an interface for members and interested parties. Giving insights into the Next Generation DKE, promoting exchange and networking are very important to me.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you excited about them?

Batuhan: I like to bring people together and find that team tasks require different perspectives and experiences, which is exactly where diversity plays a big role. My current topics are:

• Representation of the Next Generation DKE nationally as well as internationally.
• Supporting the organization of projects like the YP Camp
• Shaping and maintaining exchange and relationships among young professionals nationally and internationally.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Batuhan: It is important to pick up students and young professionals in good time and with attractive offers, to provide design opportunities and to promote sustainable cooperation in standardization. The Next Generation DKE offers precisely this platform.

The Young Professionals Workshop of the IEC Young Professionals Programme always takes place during the annual IEC General Meeting. As part of Next Generation DKE we always send young engineers who are involved in standardization to this event. Take this opportunity to inform yourself!
Would you like to learn more about the IEC Young Professionals Programme?
You can find more information at the