Success Story | Sistemas Avanzados y Proyectos S.A. de C.V.

Power Transmission Lines

El Colomo, Nayarit, Mexico

Sistemas Avanzados y Proyectos S.A. de C.V. 

Project

Sistemas Avanzados y Proyectos S.A. de C.V. needed to determine a precise path for the pylons and cables of a major power transmission line in Mexico to minimize environmental da

mage, reduce time, and increase safety. The team looked for a way to perform aerial scans of the site that would be more efficient and reduce line maintenance costs, as terrestrial surveys are more expensive and time consuming. Different disciplines were mobilized for this project, including civil engineers, geospatial engineers, surveyors, pilots, biologists, geologists, and industrial designers, each needing access to data to complete their respective field of expertise.

Solution

The team made an 8-kilometer flight above the power transmission line (115 kV-400 kV) in a Cessna 206, mounted with aerial photogrammetry equipment. With a flight path of 300 meters above ground level, the team obtained LiDAR density of 10 to 40 points per square meter in a single pass and a 4.5-pixel size RGB/NIR (near-infrared). The aerial scans allowed the team to optimize work on the line, identify obstructive vegetation to be cleared, and to geo-locate any faults in the event of incidents. This allowed for more efficient and less costly line maintenance as terrestrial surveys are more expensive and time-consuming.

 

Outcome

The information gathered on the flight enabled Sistemas Avanzados y Proyectos S.A. de C.V. to plot the location of electricity pylons with great precision. It also allowed the firm to optimize the length of the overhead power line for faster, cheaper, and safer maintenance, while minimizing environmental damage. Near-infrared scans allowed the team to determine the type of vegetation along the trajectory of the power line and where it obstructed the passage of the transmission lines. Designing within the context of the available reality modeling data allowed them to optimize the maintenance work and quickly geo-locate faults in the event of an incident. The 3D model ensured all necessary data was available to every project team member.

 Software 

MicroStation is the computer-aided design (CAD) software that users worldwide trust for creating precise 2D and 3D drawings for infrastructure projects. Engineers, architects, and construction professionals openly collaborate to deliver inspiring projects, utilizing the industry leading DGN file format. MicroStation can help you deliver your designs on time and on budget, even as project complexities and scale increase.

Facts

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  • The use of aerial survey data capture helps avoid damage to local flora and fauna, as no terrestrial access to the survey zone is required until it is determined what type of maintenance is required for the power transmission lines.

  • Using aerial photogrammetry, the team obtained LiDAR density of 10 to 40 points per square meter in a single pass and a 4.5-pixel size RGB/NIR (near-infrared).

  • Using MicroStation enabled the team to manage and access large amounts of project data, saving time and money, and minimizing the risk of translation errors or incorrect information.

quote“Our company specializes in photogrammetry, so we work in X, Y, and Z coordinates. We have to implement quality control in every project, and we can do this with the different applications and tools that come with MicroStation CONNECT Edition”

Ulises Cano López
Lic. Industry Design
Sistemas Avanzados y Proyectos S.A. de C.V

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