ITC Engineers Discuss 765 kV Design at Iowa State University’s Electric Power Forum 2025
October 1, 2025 | Midwest
Supervisor of Special Projects Aaron Graber (line design standards) and Supervisor of Substation Standards Alex Rannow (substation design standards) presented at a 765 kV design workshop as part of Electric Power Forum 2025, the 62nd Electric Power Research Center (EPRC) conference at Iowa State University in Ames last spring.
As 765 kV is a new grid voltage for the upper Midwest, Aaron and Alex discussed the overall approach that ITC is taking to develop design standards for this new, major grid infrastructure.
Most of the 765 kV infrastructure in the U.S. was built in the 20th century by very few companies, and the design standards required to properly build, operate and maintain the new 765 kV infrastructure needed to be developed. To meet the need to support the buildout of 765 kV transmission lines, ITC is proactively developing 765 kV standards with a team of talented, motivated collaborative and diverse employees who are excited to meet this once-in-a-career challenge of developing a new ITC voltage class from the ground up.
Since early 2024, ITC employees have collaborated with various consultants, materials and equipment vendors and leading technical organizations to develop standards and best practices including transmission line designs, substation designs, operational procedures and safety practices. In the ITC Midwest service territory, the team has played a significant role in the MISO Tranche 2.1 765 kV project development in Minnesota, supporting a project that will be developed by ITC Midwest, Great River Energy and Xcel Energy.
At Electric Power Forum 2025, Aaron highlighted the industry’s new focus on 765 kV lines, including factors to consider surrounding audible noise and the impact on induced current, which requires more ground clearance. Alex discussed the various components of substations and emphasized the sheer magnitude of the large substation equipment required to support the new 765 kV system.
The sessions were well attended, both in-person and virtually. ITC’s participation in the workshop demonstrates the company’s leadership in integrating new technology into the high-voltage power grid and demonstrates how our company is working in collaboration with other utilities and the industry to develop these new 765 kV systems.