Cost Estimating Methodologies for Substation & Transmission Projects

January 23-24, 2025 | Online :: Central Time

0125-cost-estimating

“They did a good job interjecting real world examples to illustrate the material. A good high-level introduction to cost estimating.” – Ameren

“Speakers did a great job. It is hard when folks are remote, but the content was helpful, they kept to schedule, and I learned a lot.” – EDF Renewables

“Fantastic speakers who both offered a wealth of knowledge and experience.” – Pine Gate Renewables

“As an estimator in the power industry, this course was exactly what I needed in filling gaps in my utility knowledge.” – Estimator, Kenny Construction Company

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the cost considerations and processes involved in major utility projects, particularly focusing on substations, overhead transmission, and underground transmission. Through interactive discussions and case studies, participants will examine the key components of utility project development, including:

• Planning
• Site development
• Construction for transmission lines, covering essential elements such as:
  • Foundations
  • Conduits
  • Grounding plans for both overhead and underground systems

The instructor will also highlight the different challenges encountered in urban and rural settings.

In addition to technical aspects, this course also covers the financial and regulatory aspects of utility projects. Participants will engage with the utility cost estimation process, learning best practices for developing budgets, managing risks, and estimating costs throughout the project lifecycle.

A session on permitting, siting, and right-of-way considerations will address environmental impacts, construction challenges, and strategies to streamline project timelines.

Finally, a hands-on case study exercise will provide real-world experience in estimating and comparing project costs, rounding out this practical, in-depth course.

Join this comprehensive day-and-a-half course to hold in-depth conversations with your colleagues about your next infrastructure project. Discounts start at 15% off for groups of 5 or more!

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify and analyze the major cost components involved in substations, overhead, and underground transmission line projects
• Review the planning, site development, and construction processes for utility transmission projects
• Evaluate the environmental and regulatory factors that impact permitting, siting, and right-of-way acquisition, and their effects on project timelines and costs
• Create accurate cost estimates by applying best practices throughout the project lifecycle, including budgeting, risk management, and performance measurement
• Distinguish between different contracting methods (e.g., fixed price, cost plus, time and material) and assess the associated risks and benefits for utility projects
• Apply cost estimation techniques and tools to real-world case studies, comparing projected versus actual costs
• Develop strategies to manage and mitigate obstacles that could impact project schedules, particularly in urban versus rural contexts

Thursday, January 23, 2025 : Central Time 

Session I: Costs for Major Utility Projects: Substations, Overhead Transmission, and Underground Transmission

Group discussion of major components, including materials and construction 

Project Begins at the Substation 

• Planning 
• Site development 

Conduit & Grounding Plan 

• Foundations 
• Materials 
• Substation bus 
• Conductor/cables overhead 

Transmission Lines 

• Plan & profile 
• Staking 
• Foundations 
• Structures 
• Hardware 

Underground Transmission Lines 

• Plan & profile 
• Duct bank 
• Line splice and pull-through vault 
• Line cable 
• Line substation riser details 

Session II: Permitting, Siting, and Right of Way Considerations and Costs 

• Overview of environmental siting process 
• Potential impacts to project timelines and costs 
• Urban vs rural considerations 
• Construction considerations 
• Strategies to minimize schedule obstacles 

Session III: Utility Cost Estimation Process 

• Developing budget parameters and the project plan 
• Utility estimate components 
• Cost estimating best practices during the project life cycle 
• Cost reference development 
• Risk management 
• Expected accuracy ranges 
• Measuring performance 
• Project cost estimate example 

Friday, January 24, 2025 : Central Time 

Session IV: Methods of Contracting 

• Identify common types of contracts and contract delivery methods and understand the risks and advantages and disadvantages associated with each
• Fixed price/lump sum 
• Cost plus 
• Time and material 
• Traditional arrangement/design-bid-build 
• EPC arrangements and risk management 
• Open book EPC variations 
• Impacts to the construction process 

Session V: Project Cost Estimate Case Study 

Class exercise to estimate major categories of project costs compared to actual costs on two real life projects

 

Jay Turner, PMP, Six Sigma Green Belt; Formerly with Southern California Edison

Jay Turner has over twenty years of cost estimating, project management, root cause analysis, and process improvement experience in the utility, accounting, and consulting industries. His utility estimating and forecasting experience spans substations, transmission lines, generation facilities, and distribution poles for Southern California Edison. Jay has been certified as a Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute and a Six Sigma Green Belt by the Institute of Industrial Engineers. He earned his M.B.A. and M.S. Systems Engineering from Loyola Marymount University and his B.S. in Engineering and Applied Science from the California Institute of Technology. 

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Cost Estimating Methodologies for Substation & Transmission Projects

January 23-24, 2025 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before December 20, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

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 1.0 CEUs for this course.

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

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

Instructional Methods

PowerPoint presentations, interactive group exercise, and group discussion will be used during this course.

---

Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 11.5
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend 

• Transmission and substation project managers, estimators, and contract managers who are new to the job
• Transmission and substation engineers 
• Supply chain and cost accounting professionals for utilities and other energy companies
• Generation project developers and engineers who need an understanding of transmission components and costs
• Regulatory agency staff
• Consultants and engineering firms that work within the electricity transmission sector