Transmission and Distribution Design and Construction Management

SMEC provides comprehensive consulting and project management services in the power transmission and distribution sectors. These services include design, construction management and supervision of transmission and distribution projects, including associated switching stations and substations.

With increasing global focus on optimum allocation of scarce financial and other resources and the deregulation of the electrical power industry, utilities are striving to minimise the cost of power systems whilst still achieving acceptable overall reliability of those systems.

SMEC has taken a leading role in the provision of tailored solutions to meet client’s specific needs and to ensure the most cost-effective design and implementation of the required transmission and distribution infrastructure.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

• Transmission lines
• Distribution systems

• Substations and switching stations

SMEC’s capability in design and construction management of transmission and distribution systems achieved global acclaim during the development of the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, which formed the interconnecting link between the major load centres of south-eastern Australia. Since then the capability has been refined and regularly updated in accordance with world best practice. The latest sophisticated computerised design tools have been developed or acquired and used to design transmission and distribution systems in many countries.

The transmission and distribution design and construction management services offered by SMEC are extensive and include:

Transmission lines

• transmission line route selection and review
• conceptual design, design checking and approval
• terrain evaluation
• reparation of line profiles
• selection of conductor type and size
• tower design
• line termination design
• preparation of cost estimates
• cost/benefit analysis
• detailed design and specification.

Distribution systems

• route survey
• reliability assessment
• load forecast
• fault level calculation
• reactive power compensation
• harmonic suppression
• motor starting
• transformer tap setting.

Substations and switching stations

• conceptual design and design review
• detailed design and specification
• construction management and supervision.

Insulation coordination

• selection of basic impulse insulation levels
• coordination of protective devices with apparatus insulation
• selection of location of protective devices.

Earthing

• earth resistivity measurements
• earth network impedance calculations
• transmission line structure earthing designs.

Fault level calculations

• preparation of fault calculations
• establishment of equipment rating requirements
• development of protection schemes
• selection of protective equipment.

Environmental impact studies

Construction management

• preparation of specifications and bid documents
• tender evaluation and contract award recommendation
• construction management and supervision
• contract coordination
• procurement of material and equipment
• inspection and testing of material and equipment
• commissioning of plant and equipment.