Underground Transmission 2019

The Challenges and Risks of New and Existing Projects

January 31, 2019 | Charleston, SC ::

Going underground with transmission has traditionally been a transmission owner’s last resort because the cost of underground transmission is many times the cost of overhead transmission and maintenance and repair has proved costly and difficult. However, advanced cable technologies are being developed, installation techniques have expanded in terms of options and efficiency while cost factors have improved giving transmission owners more realistic options. Operators and owners that have existing underground transmission know of some of the challenges they face efficiently operating underground systems regarding maintenance, repairs, leak detection and outage times.

This conference will engage attendees in examples of recent underground projects as well as those challenges to work through with operating existing systems. Replacement of cable types as well as restoration after leaks and developing plans for maintenance streamlining including leak detection are some of the additional topics discussed. The meeting will end with a tour of Nexan’s expanded cable factory.

Learning Outcomes

Discuss Con Edison’s initiatives to address the on-going maintenance of their high-pressure fluid filled pipe
Listen to Duquesne Light’s experience restoring a 345kV High Pressure Fluid Filled line after a leak
Review the innovative approach taken with San Diego Gas & Electric’s project which traversed congested city streets and crossed Interstate 15
List the challenges met during the installation of extruded dielectric cable as a replacement to an existing 115 kV self-contained cable transmission line
Analyze Eversource Energy’s strategy for HPFF cables and spares
Engage in a panel discussion on the challenges of underground transmission projects
Review the design and installation of a South Carolina Gas & Electric’s underground transmission project including a 18,000-foot-long marsh crossing
Discuss the latest generation of high voltage dry-type terminations in outdoor applications
Explore Nexans cable factory with an informative tour of the state-of-the-art facility

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.8 CEUs for this conference and 0.7 CEUs for the workshop.

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must sign in/out each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the conference to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

This conference will use case studies and PowerPoint presentations.

Agenda

Thursday, January 31, 2019

8:00 – 8:30 a.m. :: Registration and Continental Breakfast sponsored by Dewberry

8:30 – 8:45 a.m. :: Welcome and Opening Comments

Safiq Virani, Director Sales and Marketing, Land High Voltage North America, Nexans

8:45 – 9:30 a.m. :: The Challenges of High-Pressure Fluid Filled Pipe

Con Edison of New York owns and operates the largest high-pressure fluid fill system in the United States. An ongoing challenge is preventing, detecting, and mitigating leaks due to pipe corrosion. Initiatives to address this challenge will be discussed.

Walter Alvarado, Vice President, System & Transmission Operation, Con Edison

Carlos Vega, Section Manager, Con Edison

John Constable, Senior Engineer, Con Edison

9:30 – 10:15 a.m. :: HPFF Restoration Project

Duquesne Light’s experience restoring the return line associated with dual 345kV High Pressure Fluid Filled Underground Transmission lines after a dielectric fluid release.

Melissa Huff, Underground Maintenance Planning Engineer, Duquesne Light Company

10:15 – 10:45 a.m. :: Networking Break

10:45 – 11: 45 a.m. :: Sycamore to Peñasquitos (SX-PQ) 230kV Transmission Line Project

The Sycamore to Peñasquitos 230kV Transmission Line Project (SX-PQ) extends 12.5 miles of new 230 kV electric transmission line in San Diego County, CA. The underground electric transmission line improves the reliability of the transmission grid in Southern California and enables delivery of renewable energy generated in the desert areas east of San Diego to the load centers in the coastal regions where the power is in demand. The project, which traversed congested city streets and crossed the Interstate 15 freeway (I-15), used innovative approaches to solve obstacles encountered during the design and construction of the project. The case study will detail:

Creative approaches
Overcoming obstacles
Lessons learned

Vinh Huynh, Senior Engineer, SDG&E

Dan Klausenstock, Director of Electric (West), NV5

Doug Taft, Senior Vice President, Director of Power, NV5

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. :: Group Luncheon

12:45 – 1:40 p.m. :: Replacement of 115 kV Self-Contained Cable (SCFF) with Extruded Dielectric Cables

This presentation will discuss the challenges met during the design and installation of extruded dielectric cable as a replacement to an existing 115 kV self-contained cable transmission line.

Thomas Buonomano, Electrical Engineer – Underground Line Transmission, POWER Engineers

Todd Goyette, Senior Project Engineer, POWER Engineers

1:40 – 2:40 p.m. :: Developing a Strategy for HPFF Cable and Spares

This presentation will discuss Eversource’s strategy for HPFF cables and their spares as they are developing a strategy for HPFF due to the age of the cables and the limitation of vendors that supply the cables. Other cable types such as, XLPE cable and spares, will also be discussed and specifically the shelf-life issues they are experiencing with spare accessories.

David A. Presutti, Senior Engineer, Eversource Energy

2:40 – 3:10 p.m. :: Networking Break

3:10 – 3:55 p.m. HPPT Cables to XLPE Cables – To Convert or Not Convert

In North America and internationally, pipe-type cables installations date to the 1930s and many are near or beyond their design life and will require replacement. XLPE cables present a desirable replacement option while re-utilizing the existing steel pipes to reduce costs. This presentation provides some of the engineering challenges and other considerations in the replacement with XLPE cables.

Vincent Curci, Sr. Project Manager, HDR

3:55 – 5:00 p.m. :: Panel Discussion on the Challenges Facing Underground Transmission Projects

Dr. Mark Stemmle, Technical Director, Nexans

Brett Varner, Manager, Power Delivery Engineering, South Carolina Electric & Gas

David A. Presutti, Senior Engineer, Eversource Energy

Walter Alvarado, Vice President, System & Transmission Operation, Con Edison

Dennis Johnson, Senior Project Engineer, POWER Engineers

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. :: Networking Reception

Friday, February 1, 2019

7:30 – 8:00 a.m. :: Continental Breakfast

8:00 – 8:45 a.m. :: Hamlin-Isle of Palms 115-kV Line

This presentation will review the challenges met during the 5-mile underground portion of this transmission line, including the 18,000-foot-long marsh crossing. This line allows SCE&G to provide greater reliability and meet the growing electrical needs of northern Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms/Sullivan’s Island by providing a back-up source of power for three existing substations and greater flexibility in the way SCE&G operates the transmission system in Mount Pleasant.

Brett Varner, Manager, Power Delivery Engineering, South Carolina Electric & Gas

8:45 – 9:30 a.m. :: Applications for Dry-Type Outdoor High Voltage Terminations

This presentation will discuss the latest generation of high voltage dry-type terminations in outdoor applications up to 170kV.

Dr. Mark Stemmle, Technical Director, Nexans

9:30 – 10:00 a.m. :: Networking Break and Boarding Bus for Tour

10:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. :: Nexans Cable Factory Tour*

10:00 a.m. :: Bus Leaves Conference Hotel

10:45 a.m. :: Factory arrival, sign in, PPE distribution

11:00 a.m. :: Nexans introduction

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. :: Tour

12:30 – 1:15 p.m. :: Return to hotel

The Nexans High Voltage factory in Goose Creek, SC will host attendees for a tour of this state-of-the-art cable manufacturing facility. Participants are requested to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and long pants. Other required PPE will be provided by the host.

Although there is no cost associated with the tour, we ask that you register so that we can plan accordingly for transportation.

*The tour will be open to all conference participants except for cable manufacturers and direct competitors to Nexans at the discretion of EUCI.

1:15 p.m. :: Conference Adjourns

Workshop

Underground Transmission 101

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Overview

Underground transmission is a costly and complicated option for transmission projects. This workshop will provide an in-depth overview of underground systems, technology, construction, and installation. This is the ideal workshop for engineers new to underground transmission projects, regulatory staff that needs an overview to evaluate project options and vendors and contractors that support utilities as they build new transmission.

Learning Outcomes

Review underground transmission technology and systems
Examine the basics of underground design and construction
Discuss the design of extruded dielectric cable systems
Discuss the design of high-pressure fluid-filled cable systems

Agenda

8:00 – 8:30 a.m. :: Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. :: Workshop Timing

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. :: Group Luncheon

Underground Transmission: An Overview

Technology
Drivers

Basic Underground Design and Construction Considerations

Preliminary Design Issues
Route Selection
Detail Design Issues
Other Design Considerations
Installation Methods

Extruded Dielectric Cable System Design

Cable Design
Trench Design
Grounding/Bonding Design
Structure Designs
Other Design Considerations

High-Pressure fluid-filled Cable System Design

Cable Design
Trench Design
Cathodic Protection
Hydraulic System Design
Structure Designs

Workshop Instructors

Dennis Johnson, Senior Project Engineer, POWER Engineers

Dennis Johnson has more than 30 years of experience in the design and construction of underground transmission and distribution systems. He has served as a design and project engineer on numerous underground transmission projects at voltages ranging from 69 kV to 500 kV. Mr. Johnson is an active voting member of the IEEE Insulated Conductors Committee (ICC). He is a member of various ICC subcommittees that are developing guides and standards for high voltage underground cable systems.

Todd Goyette, Senior Project Engineer, POWER Engineers

Todd Goyette joined POWER Engineers in November of 2012 and is a senior project engineer in the underground transmission group. He has over 23 years of experience in many aspects of high voltage and extra high voltage underground cable projects including design, permitting & licensing, construction and operation & maintenance. He has experience with self-contained fluid filled, high pressure fluid filled, high pressure gas filled and extruded dielectric cable systems. Prior to joining POWER, Todd worked for National Grid, a large investor-based utility, for 18 years performing similar functions. He serves on several working group committees for the IEEE Insulated Conductors Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is a registered Professional Engineer in several New England states.