Bentley
Case Studies
3D Design and Modeling Streamlines Electrical Grid: A Case Study on PG&E Brownfield Substations
Overview
3D Design and Modeling Streamlines Electrical Grid: A Case Study on PG&E Brownfield SubstationsBentley |
Sensors - Electrical Conductivity Sensors Sensors - Utility Meters | |
Electrical Grids Utilities | |
Maintenance Product Research & Development | |
Microgrid Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing | |
System Integration | |
Operational Impact
Beyond the time and cost savings, reality meshes have proven to be powerful for visualizing projects and communicating with stakeholders. PG&E works collaboratively with surrounding communities to ensure that its facilities are safe, secure, environmentally responsible, and compatible with current and future development in the area. Up-to-date reality meshes allow stakeholders to clearly see the impact of projects. These real-time updates help avoid costly conflicts and changes in the field, as well as support long-term, sustainable planning. In compliance matters, reality meshes provide realistic renderings of planned upgrades for existing substations and other facilities. Illustrating the visual impact of a new security wall, for example, helps gain community acceptance of features required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. PG&E has found creative ways to maximize the value of Bentley’s reality modeling software. | |
Quantitative Benefit
Automatically generating a 3D model with ContextCapture takes 80 less resource hours than manually converting 2D drawings into 3D models. | |
Bentley Substation reduced the cost of recreating existing substation equipment in 3D by 50 percent. | |
Using reality modeling with ContextCapture instead of manually converting 2D drawings, PG&E expects to reduce 3D modeling costs by 50 percent. | |