The Electrical Power Grid and the Structures That Support It

Often described as the most complex machine ever built, the power grid is critical to the U.S. economy. It serves as a vital link of interdependence among all other critical infrastructure systems and depends on a continuous, delicate balance between electricity supply and demand to operate reliably. Compounding this challenge, the grid’s vast, linear footprint is constantly exposed to extreme weather events, effectively acting as a net that captures these contingencies—any one of which can disrupt system balance and cause widespread power outages.  This presentation examines these unique challenges from a civil and structural engineering perspective and highlights the technologies being used to improve grid reliability and resilience for both new and existing power lines.

Speaker

Michael D. Miller PE, P.Eng. Vice President of Engineering Services Exo, Inc.

Michael D. Miller PE, P.Eng. is Vice President of Engineering Services at Exo, Inc. in Houston, Texas. A civil/ structural engineer with more than 38 years of experience, he specializes in the design, analysis, and testing of transmission, distribution, telecommunication, and substation structures for the overhead power line industry. At Exo, he leads all engineering functions and serves as Engineer of Record for major high voltage power transmission projects across multiple jurisdictions.

A Fellow of ASCE and ASCE SEI, Michael chairs the new ASCE standard Minimum Design Loads for Structures Supporting Overhead Power Lines and serves on several committees that influence industry design practices. He also serves on ASCE’s Committee on America’s Infrastructure, which issues state and national infrastructure grades every four years. He holds professional engineering licenses in 17 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. Michael earned both his B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Portland State University.