Precise Visual Technologies Team to Present at SDSIC 2023 Spring Event

Digital transformation experts from our Precise Visual Technologies team were selected to present at the  Substation Design Solution (SDS) Industry Consortium Spring 2023 Conference. This 10th anniversary event welcomes member utilities and contract/design firms which have adopted or are investigating for adoption the new technologies or workflows to improve design, engineering, field construction, operation and maintenance of utility projects.

The presentation will be part of the Innovative Solutions track and will focus on the remote verification solution/process that was developed through the on-going 3D digitization initiative with a major electric utility client in which existing 3D deliverables were leveraged to complete a remote FAC-008 verification of current carrying equipment within transmission level substations. 

About the Topic

FAC-008 is a NERC requirement that all utilities need to complete to ensure that the Facility Ratings used in the reliable planning and operation of the Bulk Electric System (BES) are determined based on technically sound principles.

A Facility Rating is essential for the determination of System Operating Limits. It is a very data intensive process and compliance has been difficult for many utilities.

The typical process to perform this work includes a review of substation record drawings and field verifications, and outages to verify conductors. This current process faces challenges such as the cost of verification outage and labor support, known risk with inaccurate record drawings, and lost revenue for audit failures due to required shutdowns and updates.

Digital Transformation Creates Process Improvements/Risk Mitigation

The presentation will cover the steps used to complete these audits, plus the development of a process that utilizes 3D laser scanning to verify field conditions remotely against record drawings, including conductor size verification without an outage. For this specific electric utility, the work built upon an on-going digital transformation journey aimed at developing a cutting-edge virtual workspace to aid operational efficiencies. Remote FAC-008 ratings verification was an unknown benefit that developed through emerging technology discussions and digital investment. The initial digital transformation initiative was to develop brownfield digitization standards, and record models through a combination of laser scanning, and inventor/SBS modeling to assist in infrastructure improvement efforts over the coming years, as well as build a base for future usefulness.

You must be a member of SDSIC to attend the event in Nashville this April, but membership is free. Visit sdsconsortium.com to learn more or to sign up.