Tech-savvy design

Alan Saunders of Autodesk explains the importance of a precise information infrastructure.

“Benefits are realized across the project lifecycle, with more sustainable designs, improved collaboration and increased operational efficiency”
-Alan Saunders

Why is design so important in utilities today?
Alan Saunders. With utilities facing aging infrastructure, smart grid deployments and new renewable generation projects, there is more design work being done by utilities and their engineering and construction firm partners. Not only is there more design work than ever before, networks and facilities are more complex and require greater accuracy, collaboration and efficiency in design. At the same time, long-term engineers and designers are retiring and being replaced by new designers who are more tech-savvy but have less practical utility experience. With that background, utilities large and small are examining their design processes and investing in solutions that will improve design quality and process efficiency.

Is design a standalone process, or does it have significance beyond the engineering department?
AS. Utilities are ultimately asset managers, so having accurate and precise infrastructure asset information is critical for them. For new and retrofit projects, this asset information originates in the design tool, which is very often one of our Autodesk products. We find that for many utilities getting the accurate and precise as-built data into the system of record is a great opportunity for improving data quality and process efficiency. Once the as-built data is accessible to operations and maintenance (O&M) teams, it can become the foundation for better management of the assets across their lifecycle, effectively improving decision making, analysis and reporting. Just imagine the opportunities to reduce truck rolls if the O&M team has confidence in their infrastructure model and can visualize assets in their real world context before leaving the office.

What about creating models for built facilities and networks?
AS. This is another area where utilities are investing, particularly as they prepare for smart grid projects that require better intelligence about what is in the field today. Many utilities have told us that they consider their GIS and asset records to be only 60-70 percent complete, so they are in the process of surveying and acquiring location and condition data on their existing assets in the field. We have many utility customers using our design tools to create an infrastructure model from existing records, raster data and field survey data, including LiDAR and aerial photography.

Do you see model based design being used in utilities? If so where?
AS. Yes. For utilities and engineering firms designing networks, treatment plants, substations and other utility facilities, it's not sufficient to produce drawings that are essentially just pictures of the assets. They want their designs to be models that reflect real-world objects, have data associated with them and keep track of relationships between objects. They want to be able to visualize and analyze these models before they are built, and use the model to automatically generate accurate cost estimates and bill of materials for the construction team. Benefits are realized across the project lifecycle, with more sustainable designs, improved collaboration and increased operational efficiency.

How can technology help address the changes in this utility workforce?
AS. The new generation of engineers and designers entering the utility today has different expectations regarding technology than their predecessors. First of all, they are not going to be satisfied searching through file cabinets for paper drawings of networks and facilities. They expect to be able to access this information online from wherever they are working. They also want to be able to work in a 3D, model-based environment where they can automate workflows and business rules, consider scenarios, understand the real-world context for their designs, and avoid clashes and conflicts before the project goes to construction. This changing workforce and the requirements they are driving around intelligent, model-based design tools has been a key factor for many of our customers who are updating their design environments.

What changes does Autodesk see in utility design over the next few years?
AS. We see continued evolution towards model-based design from our utility customers.  We will focus on leading the way with solutions that improve design quality and enable design data to add value across the asset lifecycle.  

Alan Saunders is the utility and telco industry lead for Autodesk. He is responsible for Autodesk's global utility design solution strategies. He has over 25 years of experience in the global energy and utilities business and has led successful initiatives in distribution planning, design, and operations, customer service, and business development.

Saunders can be reached at alan.saunders@autodesk.com.