Beta Substation Design Manager Chris Wilson participated on a panel at DistribuTECH in San Antonio, Texas, earlier this year. The discussion examined how the latest design solutions are improving asset models, including those using photogrammetry and LiDAR scanning to easily capture highly accurate intelligent models of existing assets.

The panel also addressed electric utility infrastructure trends and the role that key design and modeling improvements can play in enabling their companies to successfully face revenue pressures, regulatory constraints and increasingly complex operating environments.

Beta's design team has implemented several phases of integrated design, with the goal of creating a better way to express design intentions. Beta frequently provides 3-D models of high voltage projects to customers, helping them to more realistically visualize the completed substation.

Integrated engineering services are all contained in one model that embodies both equipment and specifications. With the many components represented in the design of substations and transmission lines, some design intent is lost with conventional 2-D drawing schemes. For example, conduit and grounding drawings, which are separate 2-D drawings, are combined into one 3-D animation to clearly and accurately show equipment connections. The increased simplicity and precision of 3-D animations are especially useful in complex designs such as SVC and HVDC projects.

In addition to conferences and trade shows, Beta’s involvement in the high voltage industry includes active participation on ASCE and IEEE standards committees. This industry engagement empowers us to stay ahead of the curve and understand the rationale behind advancing practices and technologies.