The electric power industry is rapidly transforming, driven by growth in distributed generation, the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, increased reliability and resiliency requirements, and more. These drivers are warranting large-scale investments in power distribution systems across the country.
We partner with 1898 & Co. — our business, technology and security solutions consultancy — on a full range of services to support utilities in strategic planning, analysis, design and construction of increasingly complex electrical distribution system infrastructure. We craft our approach to meet your requirements and the unique needs that new distributed energy resources (DER) bring to the grid. We can also help you evaluate and implement non-wires alternatives that can alter your distribution project planning based on your grid’s specific demand constraints.
Overhead & Underground Design
Detailed engineering and project support planning services are required to implement a successful electrical distribution system program — whether new lines or upgrades, overhead or underground. We work with you to develop viable solutions designed to increase reliability, reduce outage frequency and decrease outage duration.
By understanding the need for cyclical asset renewal and current and future load demands on the system, you can better allocate resources and investments to implement upgrades and expansions to the underground grid. We help identify critical areas for improvement, set priorities to maximize impacts to the system, and implement solutions through design and construction.
We can help with all aspects of your distribution projects — circuit modeling, standards assessment, customer outreach, circuit patrols, manhole inspections, pole loading analysis, design packages, permitting, traffic control, communications, device protection settings and construction support. We also work with 1898 & Co. to provide strategic planning and cost estimation services.
Secondary Networks
Most of North America uses overhead radial systems to distribute electricity, but metropolitan areas with dense loads are served by more sophisticated, highly reliable secondary network systems. Unlike the radial distribution system, a network delivers power to each customer through several parallel feeders and transformers. This redundancy improves reliability because the loss of any one primary line or transformer will not interrupt the power supply. Our 1898 & Co. consultancy also provides independent assessment and benchmarking, so that you can make immediate improvements to your secondary network management. When it’s time to move forward with improvements, we provide engineering, construction and program management services.
Third-Party Attachments
We have experience planning, developing, installing and managing the fiber, cable, networking and other systems that are increasingly attached to core electrical distribution infrastructure. Knowing how and where these systems attach to your assets is critical to managing system upgrades, usage fees and maintenance schedules. We have experience in all project tasks that may be required — program and project management, permit application review, attachment standards and work procedure development, data collection and site survey activities, structural loading calculations, engineering approval of new attachments, minor and major make-ready engineering and/or recommendations, make-ready construction permits, third-party as-built evaluation, post-construction inspection, and post-construction processing.
A Reliable, Resilient Project Approach
Our electrical distribution services team has the knowledge to solve your challenges, with extensive experience in a variety of project delivery methods. We can assist with specific engineering components or perform full turnkey engineer-procure-construct (EPC) projects. Whether you need assistance with independent distribution projects or you want to set up a distribution program management organization, our team has the experience you need to be successful.
Our team is also on the front lines of the evolving technologies and practices that are moving the distribution industry forward. We operate multiple lab testing facilities to simulate operation of devices, infrastructure and power conditions on your network, supporting improved project success and faster deployment.
