Keynote

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

Decarbonizing the Grid

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

Decarbonization of the power grid and electrification of other industries (e.g., transportation) will require significant upgrades and reinforcement to transmission and distribution networks. This presentation will discuss the changing generation mix, as seen firsthand through integrated resource planning (IRPs), regional transmission planning, and challenges/changes to regional transmission planning and generation fleet transition.

Design Considerations for Underground Transmission

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

Beginning in the 1880s, the earliest days of the electric power industry, wooden poles were preferred as support structures for power lines. Later, as high-voltage power lines were built over longer distances, metal towers became common. Now, as project priorities shift, underground transmission cables increasingly merit consideration. In this presentation, we will highlight the key design considerations for underground transmission projects.

Steel Structures: Where to Place the Guys

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

The power transmission industry has grown increasingly interested in new approaches to generate economic design. Guyed engineered steel poles have become a desirable option for those seeking to minimize cost while satisfying performance requirements. Drawing on years of high-voltage transmission line experience, we will examine key design considerations on projects where guyed engineered steel poles were used and discuss approaches to account for these considerations in coordination with steel suppliers.

ASCE 74 Impacts to Structure Design

Guest Speaker: Future of PLS-CADD

Bentley Systems has recently entered into an agreement to acquire Power Line Systems (PLS), a global leader in software for power transmission engineering. Otto Lynch, President and CEO of PLS, will join us to share his thoughts on the future collaboration of PLS and Bentley Systems.

Insulators: More Than You Think

Selecting the correct insulators for your project involves more than just selecting an insulator out of a catalog based on voltage level and strength required. There is much more to this to see that the transmission line’s reliability is up to client and industry standards. Sizing for contamination, switching surges and lightning performance, as well as coordinating with end station BILs, are all very important aspects of selecting the correct insulator assemblies for a project. These selections may change depending on where the line is being built (i.e., elevation, lightning ground flash density (GFD), average and extreme weather conditions, contamination in the air, etc.).

The Current State of the HVDC Market

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

Deployment of HVDC links is seeing a significant increase accompanying the proliferation of offshore wind, as well as for moving bulk power on land. In this session, we will discuss the benefits of HVDC technology and the market changes we are observing because of its growing popularity.

When the Sea Meets the Land

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

The ampacity challenges of offshore wind transmission across the beach. We will discuss the thermal pinch point in transmission systems crossing the beach with reference to current empirical practice, the difficulties in validating numerical methods, and some pragmatic approaches to engineering your way out of trouble.

AC Interference on Collocated Pipelines

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

To meet an ever-growing demand for power, along with a rapid shift toward renewables, the complexity of our infrastructure continues to increase. Many of these new systems, such as pipelines and electrical transmission lines, will share a common site or right-of-way. Although collocating these lines is a cost-effective option from a land acquisition perspective, it can lead to pipeline corrosion and additional safety hazards. This presentation will focus on the mechanisms that cause AC interference on pipelines, traditional mitigation techniques that operators use to protect their assets, and how Burns & McDonnell is partnering with Ameren to take a unique and proactive approach to mitigating interference.

Helical Piles

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

Helical piles have carried the weight of buildings and bridges for almost 200 years. They have been established as one of the most resilient, cost-effective foundation options. Incorporated into an integrated delivery approach, in-house prefabrication and installation of these structural foundations prove even more valuable, enhancing their wide-ranging benefits. This presentation will provide an overview of helical pile technology and its applications.

Direct Talk About Rock Embedment

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

One of the most unpredictable considerations when designing direct embed poles is the exact location of rock layers in the soil. In this presentation, we will discuss how to overcome the challenge of designing direct embed poles when rock is present, including additional coordination with transmission line engineers and pole vendors.

Underground to Overhead Transition Riser Poles

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

As the power transmission industry shifts to install more underground transmission and distribution systems, the demand for transition poles from underground to overhead power systems will also increase. We will discuss the different types of structures used in the industry, the limitations of these structures, and the pitfalls to avoid when designing these interface points.

Panel Discussion: Path to 2035 and Beyond

A panel discussion regarding the path to 2035 for the electric utility industry. Topics will include the impact of technology, evolution of the workforce, and anticipated challenges to overcome.

Return Periods and Cost Considerations

Return periods are a tool that the transmission line engineer can use to turn up or down the reliability of a line design. When should a higher return period be selected? How do you design a line for a higher return period? What are the cost implications of doing so? This presentation will provide an overview of how to design a transmission line for a higher return period as well as how to estimate the additional cost associated with increasing the return period.