Agenda

Program Management: Getting to Construction
Adam Godorov, NV Energy | Clint Wilmes, POWER Engineers

The presentation will cover developing program structure for the Greenlink Nevada project. It will highlight the fast tracked nature of the program, the use of defined execution plans, and the necessity of a collaborative working environment to maintain an aggressive schedule. The presentation will also summarize a few key lessons learned that can be applied on other projects.

Powering the Future: How will Artificial Intelligence (and other technologies) Transform Power Delivery?
Panel Discussion, Panelists TBA

This panel will delve into how AI enhances the power delivery sector, from design, construction, grid reliability, optimization of energy distribution to predictive maintenance and Digital Twins. The session will discuss real-world applications, cutting-edge innovations, and where this technology will take us in the future. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of AI’s role in creating smarter, more resilient power delivery systems, driving efficiency, and shaping the future of the energy landscape.

UG | Champlain Hudson Power Express – A Renewable Energy Solution for New York City
Robert G. Harrison, P.E., Champlain Hudson Power Express

Champlain Hudson Power Express® (CHPE) is the most powerful project you’ll never see. Developed in anticipation of New York State’s transition from fossil fuel to clean energy, the fully buried 339-mile CHPE transmission line is ready to power New Yorkers into the future with clean, renewable hydropower. And just in time, too, as the state’s new Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) requires that New York be powered by 70 percent renewable energy by 2030. Fully permitted and under construction, the CHPE is expected to be fully operational in spring of 2026, delivering 1,250 MW of low-cost renewable power directly into the New York Metro area. This presentation will discuss the many challenges of bringing a long-distance merchant transmission line to fruition and will provide information on construction progress to date.

OH | The Practicality of Superconductors in Power Transmission
Kailey Cole, POWER Engineers

The perfect transmission line conductor would have zero resistance, zero weight, and zero wind area. Despite Nikola Tesla’s visions of wireless energy transmission, the perfect conductor is not feasible in our world today. A more realistic solution entails applying superconducting materials in power transmission. Superconducting cables can carry higher current density than conventional cables with very low AC electrical resistance, opening the door for a large increase in the power transfer capabilities of transmission lines and a decrease in overall system losses. By exploring the advances in high-temperature superconductors (HTS) and the current state of this technology, this presentation provides an overview of this advanced conductor option for modern power grids. This presentation addresses both the opportunities and challenges associated with adopting superconducting cables, including technical barriers, economic viability, and real-world successful implementation case studies.

SUB | Delayed Zero Crossing Considerations in Reactive Compensated EHV Lines
Christian Winter, Minnesota Power | Zach Kirsch, Minnesota Power | Griet Devriese, POWER Engineers

Transmissions lines with shunt connected line reactors are known to have an increased risk of delayed zero crossings due to the increased DC offset in the current waveform. The addition of series capacitor compensation on the line furthermore alters the system response to events requiring breaker opening and closing. This presentation explores the sensitivity and relationships between delayed zero crossing risk, series capacitor bypass time, and disturbance event type on a double-circuit 345 kV transmission line design in the U.S. Midwest.

UG | Cable Testing Technology
Michael Heiting, Kinectrics | Mark Fenger, Kinectrics

Over the past 25 years, thousands of kilometers of installed XLPE high voltage (HV) and extra high voltage (EHV) solid dielectric and fluid filled cable systems have been subjected to after-laying commissioning testing prior to energization. The commissioning test usually consists of a combination AC withstand (HiPot) and partial discharge (PD) testing for solid dielectric of an HVDC test for fluid filled cable systems. This presentation documents more than two decades of experience with non-monitored and monitored withstand testing on HV and EHV cables obtained globally with withstand levels and durations in accordance with IEC standards and PD monitoring in accordance with IEEE and CIGRE recommendations. More than 25 years of experience with HVDC of fluid filled cable systems and 5 years of experience with ACHV, PD and TanD of fluid filled cable systems will also be discussed. The presentation discusses influence of level and frequency of the applied withstand voltage for successfully identifying typical life limiting laying or installation related defects in newly laid HV and EHV cable systems both in terms of dielectric break-down and also in terms of detection of partial discharge sources from same defects. It further provides statistical summary of tests performed on more than 10,000 kilometers of HV and EHV cable systems including failure rates and non-pass PD rates of accessories distinguishing between HV and EHV cable systems. The presentation also provides several case studies of PD detected in cable accessories during AC HiPot commissioning testing. Lastly, it discusses the influence of PD sensitivity on the results obtained, especially considering that different types of PD sensors and measurement instruments have
been used.

OH | The Grass is Greener on Both Sides of the Fence – Experiences in Utility and Independent Transmission Development
Bryant Coon, Grid United

Have you ever looked at a transmission line and wondered – what is the story here? What is the purpose of this line and why is this the route that got built? There are many considerations when developing a transmission line including: establishing purpose and need, land use, environmental constraints, topography, landowner and local support, land costs, permit requirements, and how all of the above will affect the schedule. These considerations will often drive your project approach. As a former utility employee turned independent developer, I look at the grass from both sides of the fence. We’ll explore real-world examples of how strategic decisions were made to optimize routes, reduce costs, and meet stringent timelines while ensuring compliance with various jurisdictional and environmental requirements.

SUB | SF6 Alternatives – Strategies, Considerations and Applications
George Becker, POWER Engineers

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) has been an essential dielectric fluid for transmission and distribution switching equipment and high voltage switchgear for decades. Despite all the technical advantages of SF6, there is one shortcoming: its environmental impact. This presentation will provide an update on the status of ongoing research and development of new gases, gas mixtures, and vacuum interrupter technologies that have similar electrical properties and functionality to SF6-filled equipment. This presentation will also provide strategy considerations and impacts that SF6 equipment users should understand and discuss the application of these alternative technologies on the electric system.

UG | The POWER of Geo-Software and AI: Tools for Successful Site Visits
Morgan Brimstein, POWER Engineers | Bill Corey, POWER Engineers

The SCADA and analytical services (SAS) and geographic information systems (GIS) specialists from POWER’s advanced utility and production solutions groups have been working together to develop tools that make organizing and collecting data during site visits far more effective and efficient while on site and during home office analysis. This presentation will demonstrate GIS software capabilities and how the integration of AI tools can develop work process improvements. These tools will focus on project planning, data collection, and using GIS and AI to improve data gathering techniques, or quickly finding a specific piece of data or photo from the large volume of data attained during collection.

OH | 500 kV Lattice Tower Project
Alex Holder, Duke Energy | Neil Robinson, POWER Engineers | Chris Marshall, POWER Engineers

The Duke Energy Progress 500 kV System has over 900 weathering steel towers that are experience connection pack out issues. These structures were installed in the late seventies and early eighties. POWER was selected to update and create 500 kV Standards for Duke Energy’s lattice tower replacement program. The scope of work included a structure study with cost estimates, standards updates and creation, lattice load tree calculations, vendor bids, vendor selection, review of tower design and drawings, tower testing in Spain and insulator testing in France, as well as the transmission line design for the first segment of replacement towers. This line was constructed with two outage windows and energized during the summer of 2024.

SUB | Electrical Study Impacts on Substations Up to 765 kV
Chris Zubia, POWER Engineers | Rob Schaerer, POWER Engineers

This presentation provides an overview of the electrical studies that are often performed as part of the design basis for extra high voltage (EHV) substations up to 765 kV. The substations in consideration may be greenfield sites or brownfield sites. The intent of this presentation is to provide a high-level overview that describes the major studies, reasons for performing them, and the substation components affected by those studies. Additionally, this presentation aims to help substation engineers develop awareness of the electrical studies that may impact design decisions, particularly as it applies to EHV projects ranging from 345 kV to 765 kV.

UG | Sunrise Wind 320 kV HVDC Offshore Wind Project
Rich Coppa, Eversource | Dane McGrady, POWER Engineers | Majid Siahrang, POWER Engineers

Sunrise Wind (SRW ) is a joint venture project between Orsted and Eversource. The SRW project will have up to 84 wind turbine generators and a total capacity of 924 MW of clean, renewable energy that could power more than 320,000 homes per year. The SRW project consists of offshore wind turbine generators, an offshore converter station, inter-array cables, 320 kV HVDC offshore submarine cable, 320 kV HVDC onshore underground transmission cable, an onshore converter station, and 138 kV HVAC onshore underground transmission cable interconnection to the Long Island Power Authority Holbrook Substation. This presentation will focus primarily on the onshore HVAC and HVDC power engineering portion of the project. It will shed light on design issues and considerations, EMI study considerations to existing adjacent infrastructure, horizontal directional drill and trenchless design information, and lastly constructability challenges and engineering construction support.

OH | 765 kV Transmission Line Development – What’s the Big Deal?
Buck Fife, POWER Engineers | Luke Sudkamp, POWER Engineers

The power delivery industry is experiencing a significant increase in the development of 765 kV transmission lines. This voltage class is employed to efficiently transport large quantities of electricity over long distances with minimal losses. This presentation will cover the state of the industry, industry benchmarking, and key considerations that are unique to designing lines of these voltages when compared to smaller, more common voltage classes. These considerations range from schedule, personnel, studies, structures, hardware assemblies, and constructability. The presentation will also summarize a playbook approach to designing 765 kV transmission lines.

SUB | Designing the Walker River Substation: Not for the Faint of Heart!
Adam Godorov, NV Energy | Stacey Atella, POWER Engineers

Ever wonder what it would look like to design and build a 340-acre substation campus? Now add more than 700 miles of new 525 kV and 345 kV transmission lines that are being permitted as separate projects. Then add property acquisition of the privately held adjacent parcels that happen to have existing easement options for a solar developer. Include a complex web of federal, state, and county permitting agencies, and the need for a shovel-ready site due to the timing for getting a construction contractor on board. And then throw in a wetland, an irrigation ditch, and a flood event for good measure.

Rather than run screaming, NV Energy decided to tackle the engineering, land acquisition, permitting, and construction challenges head-on to develop a one-of-a-kind substation campus to serve as the central hub, the brains and heartbeat, for its Greenlink Nevada Project. Intrigued? Join us for a look behind the curtain.

UG | Design of Long-Distance HVAC Submarine Cable
Kyeho Jon, LS Cable Systems America | In Seok Jang, LS Cable Systems America

The design of long-distance HVAC submarine cables for offshore wind farm requires a thorough evaluation of several critical factors to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and efficiency. This involves specifying the required ampacity per kilometer point (KP) and selecting the optimized conductor size and type based on the cable installation and environmental conditions.

OH | Grid Stability – What the Freq?!?
Clay Turney, Oncor Electric Delivery | Joe Warner, POWER Engineers | Chris Postma, POWER Engineers

Many regions in the electric grid are identifying and projecting issues with voltage and frequency stability. These are largely driven by retiring thermal power plants and the rapid interconnection of renewable energy generation, along with a surging increase in very large data center interconnection applications. The cause of such issues are due to multiple system parameters that are interrelated and difficult to identify correctly using conventional methods. This presentation seeks to identify new methods of analysis, specific triggering conditions to apply these methods, and provide example case studies of system mitigations of identified stability issues. We aim to provide a rundown of available technology solutions and a comparison of cost to implement.

SUB | Visualizing the Invisible: Developing a Substation Noise Application
Jenna Brown, Dominion Energy | Brian Lathrop, POWER Engineers

This presentation will dissect the need, solution, and design of the substation noise application which POWER Engineers is currently developing for Dominion Energy’s Electric Transmission team. Beginning with a discussion of lessons learned from substation project outreach by the Dominion Energy team, we’ll review the unique challenges of substation projects when public engagement and permitting outcomes intersect. We’ll review the development of a tool to improve these outcomes, including the scope, design decisions, and visualization features. The presentation will close with a discussion on using this tool as a building block to design visualizations supporting other project outreach needs.

UG | Miami – Lawrence Reconductor Project: Upgrading a 60+ Year Old HPGF Cable System
Clark Williams, Florida Power & Light | Jeffrey Liles, POWER Engineers | Adam Smith, POWER Engineers

This presentation will fully cover a high-pressure, gas-filled reconductor project, starting with the background and initial design decisions, moving through detailed design, construction, and challenges faced, and ending with forensics of the old cable.

OH | Falling Conductor Protection – Wildfire Mitigation
Calvin Howard, San Diego Gas & Electric

When an energized conductor breaks, it falls to the ground, potentially causing arcing and igniting fires. This type of high impedance fault is difficult to detect quickly with traditional current-based protection methods. Eight years ago, San Diego Gas & Electric began developing a system to detect broken conductors and de-energize the line before the falling conductor reaches the ground. The first circuits were enabled for tripping in 2024. This presentation will give an overview of the system operating principles, equipment used, and the performance of the system compared to other protection systems present on the line. It will also discuss challenges with implementation and how the system operators interact with the system.

SUB | An Insider’s View: Unique Opportunities and Challenges of Developing Super-sized Renewable Projects
John Soininen, Brookfield Renewable Partners

What makes a company be willing to risk hundreds of millions of dollars and spend years of effort planning and executing a utility scale renewable energy project? Hear directly from a senior member of the Brookfield Renewable project development team with intimate knowledge of the decision-making process a major player in the renewable energy market uses when considering and implementing utility scale projects. The presentation will highlight specific project(s) that Brookfield Renewable is pursuing that demonstrate the drivers accelerating the proliferation of renewable energy projects across the United States. Session will also identify common obstacles confronting utility scale energy development and strategies a company like Brookfield Renewable uses to address them.

UG | Brownfields to “$Green$”fields
Kurt Conger, Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District | Tim Gessner, POWER Engineers

Our industry is faced with significant infrastructure improvement needs, which has created increased opportunity to redevelop brownfield sites for utility infrastructure. This presentation highlights examples of how utility companies (Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District & AEP) are reusing sites, minimizing transfer of environmental liability risk, and turning them into profitable projects. The presentation will highlight the Gorge Substation and T-line project where POWER’s PD (substation and T-line), PCI, Legal, and Environmental teams coordinated on a very successful project for Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District and Google.

OH | Advanced Conductor Selection and GETs
Lisa Deppa, POWER Engineers

With several recent national and state government regulations such as FERC Order 1920, grid enhanced technologies (GETs) are receiving more and more attention. These regulatory changes will require transmission providers to consider GETs in their operations. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the general topic of GETs, with a strong focus on advanced conductor selection highlighting key findings from several projects focused on this topic. Some key design considerations such as sag characteristics, hardware, and line losses will be explored, with discussion on more nuanced topics like the longevity of these relatively new technologies.

SUB | Dominion Energy’s Evolving Strategy Towards Data Center Development
Jesse Myrick III, Dominion Energy | Curtis Freeman, POWER Engineers

This presentation outlines Dominion Energy’s strategy for supporting unprecedented growth of data center development within its service territory. Since 2023, there has been a significant increase in inquiries from developers looking to build data centers and/or develop sites, underscoring the substantial growth of development moving more south from the northern region. The presentation will dive into the substantial power demand required to sustain these large-scale facilities, which often necessitate major electrical infrastructure upgrades. To address this demand, Dominion has explored various strategies and made policy adjustments to effectively manage the rising number of inquiries and projected load growth. These strategies include enhancing grid resilience, optimizing energy supply, and aligning regulatory frameworks with industry trends to ensure sustainable and reliable service for data centers.

UG | 230 kV Capital Grid Project: Construction Challenges in the Nation’s Capital
Michael Howell, Pepco Holdings, Inc.

PEPCO installed approximately 10 miles of new parallel 230 kV solid dielectric cable to upgrade the electric infrastructure of Washington, D.C. The Capital Grid project entailed many challenges and yielded lessons learned that were developed as we progressed through the heart of the U.S. capital. This presented many unique challenges, including but not limited to very limited construction work hours, non-traditional construction methods, completely rebuilding two indoor substations, working with the Architect of the Capital, and final cable testing and commissioning difficulties due to induction. This presentation aims to impart many of the lessons learned during the completion of this project and spark discussion that can provide insight for future endeavors.

OH | Advancing Power Quality at Dominion Energy
William Avery, Dominion Energy | Luis Vega, Dominion Energy

Dominion Energy is taking strides toward a proactive Power Quality (PQ) approach. In recent years through a Grid Transformation Project we were able to deploy 200 permanent PQ monitors on the distribution system at strategic locations. We recognized immediate value added and developed a multi-year, strategic roadmap for the future of PQ at DE. For example, with an influx of DER connections to the grid, we recognized a lack of compliance testing beyond the commissioning process. We will discuss our ongoing compliance testing, enforcement, and plans for the future. Dominion Energy has collected sag information and generated SARFI indices for over 25 years. We will also discuss the creation, evolution, and future plans for these indices.

SUB | Indicative Co-Located BESS Plus Thermal Site
Dan Harmon, Middle River Power

Middle River Power is an owner-operator of ~6 GW of generation in the United States. We are actively developing ~2000 MWs of BESS in California and ~1000 MWs of solar in PJM. Middle River Power is committed to the energy transition and meeting California’s clean energy goals, especially Senate Bill 100, with a goal to reach 60% renewable power by 2030. Co-locating BESS with existing thermal resources allows for the storage of surplus solar energy for discharge on demand or when renewable generation is low while also providing reliability with the thermal resource when necessary.

UG | Remote Monitoring of Underground Lines
Kathryn Klement, hvGrid-tech Inc.

While monitoring of above-ground infrastructure has become increasingly common, monitoring of underground infrastructure presents unique challenges. The USi Group has developed a remote monitoring device for condition-based monitoring of underground cable systems based on battery power and cellular IoT technology. This presentation will describe how these devices are being used for remote cathodic protection system monitoring of pipe-type cable systems. It will also cover how the devices can be deployed for sheath bonding monitoring of XLPE cable systems and other applications.

OH | Structural Dominoes, A Study on Tower Cascading and Mitigation Efforts
Scott Tudor, Oncor Electric Delivery | Ryan Hann, POWER Engineers

Cascading failures are often attributed to extreme events. Although efforts can be made during the design process to minimize the impacts of a transversely or longitudinally failed structure, understanding the impacts to an older, existing system can provide unique challenges, especially when looking for a cost-effective solution to stop the cascade event. This presentation will cover a line-specific study of an existing transmission system using EPRI CASE methodology and other modeling techniques to evaluate both longitudinal and transverse failures. As part of the study, the presentation will provide recommendations on study criteria, as well as highlight possible mitigation techniques when faced with cascade failures.

SUB | Application Considerations of STATCOMS and Synchronous Condensers
Marty Cameron, Xcel Energy | Jan Paramalingam, POWER Engineers

STATCOMS and Synchronous Condensers have multiple significant benefits in the modern power transmission system. This presentation provides a high-level discussion on the key benefits of each FACTS device. This presentation also covers transmission reactive compensation, system stability, Synchronous Condenser and STATCOM Topologies and a few very large projects with study results explaining the need for FACTS devices. The Colorado Power Pathways project is a multi-year multi-billion dollar project with significant addition of transmission lines, substations and inverter based generation. The application of these FACTS devices and their benefits to Xcel Energy’s transmission network operations is discussed in this presentation.

UG | Case Study: Project Beacon
Sean Gamache, POWER Engineers

Project Beacon, commissioned by Atrium Health and executed by Duke Energy, involves relocating two existing overhead transmission line segments to underground circuits in Charlotte, North Carolina. The new underground circuits, designed for 115 kV but operating at 100 kV, span approximately 1,700 feet. Each segment features transition poles at both ends to facilitate the change from overhead to underground lines.

OH | Fault Currents and OPGW Design Constraints
David Kempf, Great River Energy | Christian Winter, Minnesota Power | Griet Devriese, POWER Engineers

Optical ground wire (OPGW) selection is impacted by several factors, including thermal limits and coulomb rating. The Northland Reliability Project (NRP) is in the mid-western region of the United States, which is known for its high keraunic levels with commonly above average continuous current lightning strikes, making the transmission line prone to needing an OPGW with a higher C-rating. Additionally, the NRP minimum required thermal ratings for predicted fault current levels during various contingency scenarios were evaluated. As an approach to preventing costly mitigation strategies, additional analysis was completed to understand maximum allowable fault current. These two perspectives, in combination with alternative communication path options, were key drivers in the selected OPGW design. In addition to highlighting the aforementioned technical considerations, this presentation illustrates the benefits of multi-disciplinary collaboration to improve the transmission line design from an electrical, structural, schedule, and cost perspective.

SUB | Testing Advanced Automation Schemes with a Dedicated Simulator
Aaron Cowan, POWER Engineers

Automation schemes can have numerous operating scenarios and abnormal conditions to test. Though field commissioning of these systems is the final step to placing them into service, developing and using a simulator can provide a valuable testing environment away from the field for pre-commissioning tasks and future updates to the scheme. Furthermore, a simulator enhances operator understanding of both the software and hardware used in the scheme and allows ongoing training to be carried out at any time. This presentation will describe a recent transmission-level automation scheme project that benefited from the design and use of a dedicated simulator, along with lessons learned and how other projects can benefit from creating a dedicated simulator.

Wednesday, March 5

Thursday, March 6