Project 36.006 – Principles and Practices of Underground Transmission
Objective
Reliability of an underground transmission system depends on highly skilled utility engineers working throughout the life cycle of design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of the system. It is essential to retain cable system institutional knowledge and support the next generation of technical leaders. The project addresses the following needs with knowledge, methods, and tools:
- Knowledge management of EPRI research and development project results and industry experiences
- Investigation results of advanced tools and techniques for effective cable-system management
- Knowledge transfer on various topics covering design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of extruded and laminar dielectric cable systems
This project intends to provide resources and technical support to current and future cable engineers. Participants may be better equipped with the latest knowledge, technologies, and educational materials, resulting in more reliable and cost-effective transmission cable systems. Utility engineers can apply the results of this project by participating in educational sessions while interacting with industry subject-matter experts and other experienced utility engineers. For example:
- The educational workshops and workshop proceedings can be used to equip utility engineers and improve work productivity for long-term system performance.
- The updated Underground Transmission Systems Reference Book and Increased Power Flow Guidebook can be used to validate system designs, improve system operation and maintenance, and increase or optimize ratings of transmission cable lines.
- The EPRI Green Book training proceedings can help cable engineers to better understand general principles and practices needed to provide reliable underground transmission systems.
- Framework for comparison of overhead and underground power transmission can be applied for making sound engineering-based decisions when planning a new transmission line.
Research Value
This project may provide the following benefits:
- Improved underground transmission system design
- Enhanced cable-project execution
- Retention and/or transfer of institutional knowledge
- Reduction in overall installation, construction, operation, and maintenance costs
Approach
This project focuses on knowledge management in underground transmission. It provides:
Semi-annual educational sessions and proceedings
Updated EPRI Underground Transmission Systems Reference Book and Training Materials
Updated EPRI Increased Power Flow Guidebook
Updated framework for comparison of overhead and underground power transmission
Anticipated Deliverables
| Deliverable | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Underground Transmission Education Workshops (Technical Report) | EPRI intends to hold educational workshops in conjunction with the Underground Transmission Task Force meetings, twice annually. Topics include design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of both extruded and laminar dielectric cable systems. Workshop proceedings will be made available. | December 2027 |
| EPRI Underground Transmission Systems Reference Book (The Green Book) – 2027 Edition (Technical Report) | The EPRI Underground Transmission Systems Reference Book (the Green Book) is a desk and field compendium on the general principles involved in planning, design, manufacturing, installation, testing, operation, and maintenance of underground transmission cable systems. The project team continuously updates the Green Book, focusing on one or two sections each year. | December 2027 |
| EPRI Underground Transmission Reference Book Training Proceedings – 2027 Update (Technical Report) | Report contains training session proceedings in:
| December 2027 |
| Increased Power Flow Guidebook (The Platinum Book) - 2027 Edition (Technical Report) | This report will be continuously augmented with updated and additional materials on the state of the science and best practices for increasing and optimizing power flow through underground transmission cables and their associated circuit components. | December 2027 |
| Framework for the Comparison of Overhead and Underground Power Transmission – 2027 Update (Technical Report) | A variety of factors must be considered to arrive at a sound engineering-based decision in planning for a new transmission line. This task establishes a framework for evaluating specific transmission line options and identifying technical and economic trade-offs between design options for initial installation and long-term operations. The project identifies major factors in making comparison between overhead and underground options, develops procedures and an analytical framework for comparisons, and demonstrates results on representative applications. | December 2027 |