2025 Transmission & Distribution Design & Operation Symposium

2025 Transmission & Substation Design & Operation Symposium

We are excited to see you Sept. 3-5 in Frisco, Texas, for this year’s Transmission & Substation Design & Operation Symposium (TSDOS). This conference serves as a forum for utilities, engineers, suppliers, contractors and consultants to share and discuss the most recent trends, challenges and solutions. Look for our featured speakers as they share their insights on best practices, innovations and more.

Meet Our Team and Enter Our Giveaway Drawings

Please join us in the Hospitality Suite #307 of the conference hotel on the first evening of TSDOS for food, refreshments and friendly conversation with our professionals. Learn more about how we support clients, and don't forget to enter to win our Texas gift boxes.

Wednesday, Sept. 3 | 5-10 p.m.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Frisco Hotel & Convention Center
Hospitality Suite #307
7600 John Q. Hammons Drive
Frisco, TX 75034

Texas Gift Boxes

Lone Star Raffle

Perini Ranch Steakhouse, Steak Rub
Sugarhouse Leather, Texas State Silhouette Leather Coasters, Set of Two
Texas Star Whiskey Rocks Glass, Set of Two

Texas Bluebonnets Raffle

Skeem, Indigo Match Cloche, 120 White-Tipped Matchsticks, Handblown Glass, Strike-on-Bottle Flint, Cork Stopper
Calyan Wax Co., Texas Bluebonnets Soy Candle, Floral Notes of Bluebonnet, Rose, and Jasmine. Phthalate-Free Fragrance Oils Infused with Essential Oils, Two Metal-Free Cotton Wicks, Vegan, Nontoxic, Cruelty-Free, and Paraben-Free, 11 Ounces
Hope Helms Studio, Bluebonnet Tea Towel
Black Wick Trimmer
New Texas Modern Hardcover Coffee Table Book, Featuring Renowned Architecture Across the State of Texas

Texas Gentleman Raffle

White Rock Soap Gallery, Activated Charcoal Detox Bath Soak, Grapefruit + Rosemary
S’well, Stainless Steel Teakwood Mug with Handle
Five Mile Chocolate, 68% Dark Chocolate Blend
Niven Morgan, Rue 1807 Shave Cream

Welcome to Texas Raffle

38 Pecans, Smoked Hickory Pecans in Acrylic Texas Container
LH Candle Studio, Texas Boots Candle
Microchip Cookies, Cowboy Choc-Oat-Chip with Texas Pecans
Microchip Cookies, Cheddar Cheesies with Texas Heat

Understanding 765-kV Protection at a High Level

Wednesday, Sept. 3 | 1 PM-1:45 PM

765-kV Extra High Voltage (EHV) transmission is crucial for meeting escalating global electricity demand fueled by electrification, data centers, and crypto mining. This presentation examines the challenges faced by conventional protection schemes, such as distance and differential protection, which are pushed to their limits by CT saturation, high distributed capacitance, and stringent stability requirements at this voltage level due to longer transmission lines and increased fault currents. The presentation also highlights emerging solutions, including advanced numerical protection relays, and optical CTs, to enhance the 765-kV protection system's reliability.

Abdelrahman Lesan, PE

Senior Protection and Control Specialist

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765-kV High Voltage Ornithology - Choosing The Right Conductor

Wednesday, Sept. 3 | 4:15 PM-5 PM

This topic proposes to introduce Nash equilibrium modeling as an optimization tool to evaluate conductors (commonly referred to in the industry as “birds”) by balancing normalized energy losses, conductor cost, and mechanically allowable span length. Each conductor’s fixed material properties define its strategy set, with payoff determined through normalized weighting. This framework enables rapid, objective comparison across a large pool of conductor candidates, supporting a more robust selection process.

Cornelius Henderson, PE

Associate Technical Consultant

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Urban Substation Switchgear Upgrade

Thursday, Sept. 4 | 9 AM-9:30 AM

This presentation details the comprehensive upgrade of an aging, densely located 138-kV substation in Lower Greenville Dallas, Texas, for Oncor. The project presented numerous unique challenges stemming from its location in a residential area adjacent to commercial establishments, its history under previous ownership with differing standards, and the presence of a 138-kV underground transmission. The existing substation, characterized by aging DP&L switchgear and a severely constrained site, experienced peak load exceeding its backstand rating, necessitating an upgrade to meet growing customer load demands.

Jacob Ehrhardt, PE

Assistant Electrical Engineer

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Circuit Switcher vs. Circuit Breaker for Transformer Protection

Thursday, Sept. 4 | 3:45 PM-4:15 PM

This presentation examines circuit switchers and circuit breakers for transformer protection under transformer-limited fault (TLF) conditions, characterized by high rates of rise of recovery voltage (RRRV). Circuit switchers are cost-effective for fast TRV, yet have a limited interruption capacity. Circuit breakers, designed for standard RRRV conditions, face much higher RRRV during TLFs, risking re-ignition, thermal overload, and insulation failure. The session explores mitigation techniques and proper breaker selection for transformer protection.