2025 Underground Transmission Conference

New Challenges Faced Going Underground

January 23-24, 2025 | Richmond, VA ::

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“The conference was a good opportunity for networking and making new contacts.” President, Power Delivery Solutions

“Excellent opportunity to learn and meet professionals from different utilities.” Sr. Electrical Engineer, ENMAX Power Corporation

“This was well worth the travel and time commitment. The vendor interactions mad my trip so worthwhile.” Lead Engineer, Duke Energy

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“Workshops are great for attendees new to underground transmission. Conference keeps attendees up to date on latest trends, technology, and issues.” – Transmission Engineer, Florida Power & Light

“Information on a Journeyman level.” – Project Manager, New River Electrical Corp.

“Knowing very little about underground transmission, this conference peaked an interest to learn more.” – Engineer 2, Pepco

“EUCI workshops are always an outstanding way to learn and share knowledge about current trends in the energy sectors.” – Environmental Specialist, Ecology& Environment Inc.

“A great conference that introduces attendees to other professionals in the field.” Project Engineer, Electrical Consultants Inc.

“The EUCI UG conference is a great tool to introduce new UG affiliates to the field as well as expand the knowledge of the most senior affiliates.” – Transmission Engineer, Dominion Power

The desire for undergrounding transmission has never been higher resulting from the need to increase a system’s reliability, resiliency, and community preference. Operators and owners that have underground transmission understand the challenges they face efficiently operating underground systems and constructing them in the first place. 

This conference, hosted by Dominion Energy, will bring together utility professionals to discuss and share detailed best practices for underground transmission design, construction, and operation, while also highlighting environmental, siting, and maintenance issues. Register today to network with your peers and gain valuable experiential knowledge on these complicated systems.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe some of the challenges and changes in the industry
• List the construction challenges and solutions in an open trench and horizontal drilled project
• Review the process and benefits of replacing a fluid-filled line with solid dielectric
• Identify how a leaking High-Pressure Fluid-Filled line was repaired and restored to service
• List the environmental and landowner challenges a project can face for a river crossing project
• Engage with a question-and-answer panel discussion on the current state of and future for underground transmission
• Describe some conditions and situations that change the ampacity ratings of underground lines
• Identify permitting, environmental, and outreach challenges with an underground project
• Assess the challenges faced with replacing 80-year-old cables and reusing the vintage duct bank

Thursday, January 23, 2025

 

8:30 – 8:45 a.m. :: Introductions and Welcome

8:45 – 9:15 a.m. :: Conference Keynote

Matthew (Matt) Gardner, Vice President Planning and Operations, President Elect of CIGRE USNC, Dominion Energy

 

9:15 – 10:15 a.m. :: Case Study: Haymarket 230KV XLPE Project

This presentation will review the construction and intentions of this challenging open trench and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project.

• Each circuit is 3.1 miles of single point bonded 5000kcmil XLPE- 2 cables per phase
• Construction started late 2019 and the circuits were commissioned February 2022
• Combination of open trench and HDD- each circuit had two ~2500’ long x 48” diameter
• HDD sections under I-66 – final ream on HDD sections was 60” to allow 48” casing install
• HDD sections were 50-60’ below the surface of I-66- crossings were at approximately a 30-degree angle as they crossed under I-66

Shane Moulton, Supervisor Electric Transmission Engineering, Dominion Energy

Matt Rudd, Superintendent Electric Transmission Construction, Dominion Energy

Patrick Pesnell, Electric Transmission Operations Underground Field Work Consultant, Dominion Energy

Ajay Joshi, Project Manager, Wilson Construction

Tom Howell, Project Superintendent, Wilson Construction

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

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. :: Replacing Fluid Filled Cable with Solid Dielectric

The replacement of older fluid-filled line with Solid Dielectric is becoming more commonplace and this presentation will review one such replacement in New York City, revealing the process and steps involved.

• Safety Message
• History of 138kV feeder 38R51/38R52
• Project scope
• Stakeholder engagement
• Project challenges
• Project completion

Robert Mayou, Transmission Operations, Con Edison of NY

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

12:45 – 1:45 p.m. :: A HPFF Line Failure, Remediation, and Lessons Learned

High Pressure Fluid-Filled (HPFF) cables offer similar but also different challenges than solid dielectric lines in their design and installation.

• Description of event and contributing factors
• Repair details and permitting obstacles
• Pump plant and oil inventory monitoring system upgrades
• Atmospheric corrosion protection program enhancements
• Lessons Learned

Christopher Chaney, Manager – Electric Field Ops Pipe Type Cable Operations, Eversource Energy

1:45 – 2:45 p.m. :: Aquatic Electrical Construction

This presentation will review environmental and landowner challenges and solutions for a river crossing line while celebrating the success of the project.

• 69kV submarine solid dielectric cable
• River crossing
• Environmental and property ownership challenges

Bill Lopez, Underground Transmission Section Engineer, Pepco Holdings Inc.

Chris Petrocelli, PE, Dewberry, Senior Associate, Dewberry

David Taylor, Jr., RLA, Dewberry, Vice President, Dewberry

2:45 – 3:15 p.m. :: Networking Break

3:15 – 4:30 p.m. :: Panel Discussion on the Challenges Facing Underground Transmission

This Q&A panel discussion will discuss the challenges, developments, solutions, and lessons learned among these experienced project subject matter experts. This interactive discussion will engage the audience and panelists alike.

Moderator: Reilly Weber, Electric Transmission Construction Underground Engineer, Dominion Energy

Mark Bresee, P.Eng., Senior Manager- Major Projects, Hydro One Networks Inc.

Robert Mayou, Transmission Operations, Con Edison of NY

Patrick Pesnell, Electric Transmission Operations Underground Field Work Consultant, Dominion Energy

Christopher Chaney, Manager – Electric Field Ops Pipe Type Cable Operations, Eversource Energy

Friday, January 24, 2025

 

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. :: Objects and Conditions that Impact the Ratings for Underground Transmission Lines

Basic conditions and special situations will be explored that will change the ampacity ratings of underground transmission lines.

Mark Rankin, EGIS Manager, Sargent & Lundy

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. :: Case Study: Rappahanncok River Crossing

This presentation will review a 2.3-mile HPFF circuit built at 230KV standards but energized at 115kv with 1.9 miles of the circuit is under the Rappahannock River that replaced an overhead line. Discussion on the challenges of permitting, environmental monitoring and restrictions, and outreach will be reviewed as well.

• Circuit consists of 2 cables per phase 2500 kcmil copper cable with 500 mils of LPP insulation 500’
• HDD sections were 2@2400’, 2@2700’, and 2@6700’ in length – Final ream and swab was 24” diameter
• Project had several times of year restrictions for wildlife and required significant permitting from various agencies

AG Mickel, Electric Transmission Communications Consultant, Dominion Energy

Corey Anderson, Electric Transmission Construction Engineer II, Dominion Energy

Greg Bosch, Business Development Manager, Mears

JB Brown, Senior VP, Mears

Madhab Bajgain, Project engineer and project manager, Mears

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Networking Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: National Grid Downtown Reliability Project

National Grid replaced 2 miles of double-circuit, 1940’s Self Contained Fluid Filled 115kV cables in Providence, Rhode Island. The new cable system integrates the existing vintage duct bank with a new, PVC conduit duct bank. The presentation will review design concepts and challenges the project faced.

Thomas Buonomano, P.E., Engineer – Underground Line Transmission, POWER Engineers

12:00 p.m. :: Final Comments and Conference Adjourns

Corey Anderson, Electric Transmission Construction Engineer II, Dominion Energy

Madhab Bajgain, Project engineer and project manager, Mears

Greg Bosch, Business Development Manager, Mears

Mark Bresee, P.Eng., Senior Manager- Major Projects, Hydro One Networks Inc.

JB Brown, Senior VP, Mears

Thomas Buonomano, P.E., Engineer – Underground Line Transmission, POWER Engineers

Christopher Chaney, Manager – Electric Field Ops Pipe Type Cable Operations, Eversource Energy

Matthew (Matt) Gardner, Vice President Planning and Operations, President Elect of CIGRE USNC, Dominion Energy

Tom Howell, Project Superintendent, Wilson Construction

Ajay Joshi, Project Manager, Wilson Construction

Bill Lopez, Underground Transmission Section Engineer, Pepco Holdings Inc.

Robert Mayou, Transmission Operations, Con Edison of NY

AG Mickel, Electric Transmission Communications Consultant, Dominion Energy

Shane Moulton, Supervisor Electric Transmission Engineering, Dominion Energy

Patrick Pesnell, Electric Transmission Operations Underground Field Work Consultant, Dominion Energy

Chris Petrocelli, PE, Dewberry, Senior Associate, Dewberry

Mark Rankin, EGIS Manager, Sargent & Lundy

Matt Rudd, Superintendent Electric Transmission Construction, Dominion Energy

David Taylor, Jr., RLA, Dewberry, Vice President, Dewberry

Reilly Weber, Electric Transmission Construction Underground Engineer, Dominion Energy

Please Note: Confirmed speakers do not need to register and are encouraged to participate in all sessions of the event. If you are a speaker and have any questions please contact our offices at 1.303.770.8800

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

2025 Underground Transmission Conference

January 23-24, 2025 | Richmond, VA

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 0.9 CEUs for this conference.

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in 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.

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

Conference CPE Credits: 10.0
There is no prerequisite for this Conference.
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 Engineers 
• Transmission Project Managers 
• Engineer in Training (EIT) 
• Transmission Siting Professionals 
• Transmission Right of Way Professionals
• Transmission Communications Professionals
• Utility business development professionals  
• Regulatory staff