LaboratoryHigh Voltage Laboratory

Dr Andrew Lapthorn leads the High Voltage Laboratory at the University of Canterbury, specialising in high-voltage engineering, power system resilience, electrical insulation performance, dielectric testing, and conformity assessment for the electrical industry. His expertise spans high-power systems, grid-scale electrical infrastructure, asset performance, failure analysis, and standards compliance, with recognised leadership as an IEC Young Professional. He has authored more than 60 technical papers and over 20 technical reports across high-voltage testing, power system reliability, and advanced electrical materials.

He leads Workstream 4 of the MBIE-funded programme Architecture of the Future Low Carbon, Resilient, Electrical Power System, focusing on future-grid architecture, low-carbon energy systems, electrification, and resilient power networks. He also leads Workstream 4 and contributes to Workstream 3 of the MBIE project High Power Electric Motors for Large-Scale Transport, advancing research in electrified transport, high-power motor technologies, and energy-efficient propulsion. As University of Canterbury lead, he directs research on the performance of power system protection under extreme solar storms within the Solar Tsunamis MBIE Endeavour Programme.

Dr Lapthorn serves as Secretary of the IEEE New Zealand Council and as Convenor of the New Zealand Panel of CIGRE A3 — High Voltage Equipment. Internationally, he is a member of the CIGRE D1 Study Committee on materials and emerging test techniques, and of Working Group B1.82, contributing to international work on cable systems, high-voltage equipment performance, and power system standards.