At American Electric Power, transforming our future means more than imagining what’s next – it means taking ownership, working together and turning bold ideas into real-world solutions. That mindset is on full display in the development of AEP Transmission’s new 765-kV tower design, a project that reflects the power of innovation, teamwork and engineering excellence.
While AEP first pioneered 765-kV tower design in the 1960s, the journey to develop the Delta towers began nearly two years ago, sparked by a simple question: Can we do this better? A team of Transmission engineers saw an opportunity to rethink the 765-kV design, a backbone of the grid capable of transmitting up to six times the power of a more common 345-kV line.
“We recognized there was room to make it better,” said Consulting Engineer Meihuan Fulk. “And our leadership said, ‘Go for it.’”
From day one, leadership empowered the team to take ownership of the work and challenge legacy designs. A collaborative effort ensued, with the teams learning from AEP’s history of 765-kV construction and creating iterations informed by lessons from design, manufacturing and construction. One design stood out.
“Delta is the most efficient option both structurally and electrically,” said Engineer Staff Aaron Darby. “The design reduces the impact on customers and rights-of-way, while increasing line performance.”
Multiple tower designs are now complete and being detailed for manufacturing drawings, with full-scale tower testing planned within the year.
“It’s a perfect storm,” said Consulting Engineer Bryan Hanft. “We have in-house expertise, new ideas and technologies, and a diverse portfolio of projects across the country. That combination keeps the work challenging, fulfilling and meaningful.”
“We’re always encouraged to innovate,” said Darby. “We ask ourselves: What can we do to better the design, improve efficiency and reduce impact to customers?”
That mindset has already delivered results beyond AEP’s service territory. AEP recently won a competitive 765-kV project in Wisconsin.
“AEP has probably the most 765-kV experience of any utility in the country,” Fulk said. “It’s a big win, and hopefully just the start.”
For the engineers involved, the reward goes beyond technical achievement.
“It’s meaningful to be part of the whole process from conception to construction and beyond,” Darby said. “That’s something you don’t get everywhere.”
As AEP celebrates Engineers Week, this project stands as a powerful example of what it means to Transform our Future: empowered people, working as one team, taking bold ideas from concept to reality to build the grid of tomorrow.
Interested in learning more about what it means to be part of our team? Visit AEP.com/Careers.