Updates & Events
Update of ongoing research and links to project deliverables.
In 2026 we are planning to undertake several tasks in P35.008, Line Resiliency, including those listed below:
- Quantify Transverse Cascading Loads: While EPRI and other institutions in the transmission industry have conducted research onto longitudinal cascading events, transverse cascading loads remains a knowledge gap. EPRI aims to build and operate a transverse cascading test line to quantify loads experienced by structures during these events and ultimately help engineers design against them. In 2026, EPRI aims to install a test line and perform exploratory tests to simulate transverse cascades to then execute upon in subsequent years.
- Develop Design Guidance to Prevent Phase to Phase Flashover Resulting from Asynchronous Conductor Movement: When spans are long, or phases are horizontally compacted, utilities have experienced phase to phase flashovers during gusty wind conditions. There is very little guidance on how this problem should be avoided. EPRI aims to vet previously proposed design techniques and will examine past wind tunnel research and climate data to determine an appropriate design technique to prevent phase to phase flashovers.
- Produce Enhanced Climate Risk Maps: Significant value can be obtained by exploring climate data as it relates to weather events impacting the structural and electrical reliability of overhead lines. EPRI intends to leverage new and existing climate data to produce a range of enhanced climate risk maps for specific weather events.
- Derive Lessons from Failure: With every structural or mechanical failure event, there is a potentially valuable lesson to be learnt by line design engineers. Very often the events leading to failure are often multi-dimensional. When the root causes and possible preventative actions from these events are documented, they can teach engineers how to become better designers. In 2026, EPRI aims to add multiple case studies to its current guide on documented failures related to how structures have failed in the past, and how future generations of engineers may use this information to achieve more resilient designs.
- Rapid Response Emergency Tower: The Rapid Response Emergency Tower was developed under EPRI’s Technology Innovation Program, in support of project 35.008. In 2026, EPRI aims to compile instruction manuals and FEM models for various configurations in order to facilitate applications to various restoration scenarios.
- Host a Design for Extreme Environments Workshop: EPRI has interacted with utilities who operate transmission assets in extremely corrosive environments. There is potential value in understanding the performance of hardware, structures and components subjected to such conditions. EPRI plans to host a workshop / information sharing session in collaboration with P35.002 (Conductor, Shield Wire, and Hardware Corrosion) and P35.003 (Structure and Sub-Grade Corrosion), to facilitate mutual understanding of potentially useful countermeasures for extreme environments.
2026 Engagement Opportunities
| Event Name | Date | Location | Contact | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and Substations Task Force Meeting | February 9 - 12 | Charlotte, NC EPRI Offices | Rachel Moore | Meeting Information |
| Transmission & Substations Advisory Meeting | March 30 - April 1 | Charlotte, NC EPRI Offices | Rachel Moore | Meeting Information |
| Design for Extreme Environments Workshop P35.002, 35.007, 35.008 | June 24 | Webcast | Fabien Besnard Pierre Marais |
More information coming soon |
| EPRI R&D Project Update Webcast: Composite Structures, Line Design, Increasing Line Resiliency (P35.005, P35.007, P35.008) | June 3 2:00-3:00 pm ET | Webcast | David Folk Pierre Marais |
More information coming soon |
| Overhead Transmission 2025 ARP Rollout #1 | June 18 10:00 - 11:30 am ET | Webcast | Rachel Moore | More information coming soon |
| Overhead Transmission 2025 ARP Rollout #2 | July 30 10:00 - 11:30 am ET | Webcast | Rachel Moore | More information coming soon |
| Transmission and Substations Task Force Meeting | August 10-14 | Charlotte, NC EPRI Offices | Rachel Moore | More information coming soon |
| Transmission & Substations Advisory Meeting | August 31- September 2 | Rachel Moore | More information coming soon | |
| EPRI R&D Project Update Webcast: Composite Structures, Line Design, Increasing Line Resiliency (P35.005, P35.007, P35.008) | November 18 2:00-3:00 pm ET | Webcast | David Folk Pierre Marais |
More information coming soon |
2026 Anticipated Deliverables
| Product Name | Deliverable Type |
|---|---|
| Quantification of Transverse Cascading Loads: 2026 Edition | Technical Update |
| Electrical Reliability: Design for Asynchronous Conductor Movement | Technical Update |
| Fundamental Research Into Climate Impacts That Matter | Technical Update |
| Learning from Failure - Case Studies in Improved Engineering | Technical Update |
| Rapid Response Emergency Tower | Technical Update |
| Workshop - Design for Extreme Environments | Workshop |
2025 Engagement Opportunities
| Meeting | Date | Location | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overhead Line Design Task Force | March 10-13 (In-person) March 17-20 (Virtual) |
Charlotte, NC | Register Here |
| EPRI Overhead Transmission Program (P35) New Supplemental Launch Webcast | April 3 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Materials |
| EPRI R&D Information Exchange Webcast: Geotechnical Investigation Practices (P35.008) | April 17 2:00-4:00 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Materials |
| EPRI R&D Project Update Webcast: Composite Structures, Line Design, Increasing Line Resiliency (P35.005, P35.007, P35.008) | May 29 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Materials |
| Overhead Transmission 2026 ARP Rollout #1 | July 17 10:00 am - 11:00 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Material |
| Overhead Transmission 2026 ARP Rollout #2 | July 24 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Material |
| Longitudinal Failure Event Loading Training | August 5 2:00-3:15 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Material |
| Overhead Line Design Task Force | August 18-22 (In-person) August 25-29 (Virtual) |
Charlotte, NC | Meeting Materials |
| EPRI End of Year Webcast: Composite Structures, Line Design, Increasing Line Resiliency (P35.005, P35.007, P35.008) | November 13 2:00-3:00 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Materials |
2025 Deliverables
In 2025, a mix of ongoing research initiatives together with new research areas will be undertaken.
| Product ID# | Deliverable | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3002032767 | Practical Determination of Dynamic Load Impact Factors | Technical Update | December 2025 |
| 3002033457 | Longitudinal Failure Event Loading Workshop (search for failure) | Workshop | December 2025 |
| 3002032768 | Learning from Failure: Case Studies in Improved Engineering | Technical Update | December 2025 |
| 3002032769 | Quantification of Transverse Cascading Loads: 2025 Edition | Technical Update | December 2025 |
| 3002032770 | Impact of Soil Investigation Frequency on Design Reliability | Technical Update | December 2025 |