Digitalization of processes in a network expansion project

Use of the innovative BIM methodology for digitalization

As part of the major grid expansion project to transport wind power from the North Sea coast to Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg via underground cables with two direct current lines, additional structural installations and facilities are required besides the underground cable – cable cutting stations, intermediate fiber optic cable stations and link boxes are required along the underground line in varying numbers and at different distances.

The overall project is being implemented by transmission system operators in collaboration with several quattron teams and their partners. As quattron is responsible for operational BIM management, several BIM specialist teams are being used for this purpose. Working in close coordination, the teams bring together the requirements of clients and contractors according to BIM methodology in order to coordinate and ensure the process runs smoothly.

BIM methodology requires a detailed inventory of the specialist trades, the surroundings, and the subsoil needed for the planning task, which are combined in an as-built model. This provides a clear planning basis for the new design.

Benefits

• Creation of several quality-assured coordination models that represent the standardized and binding planning basis for all project participants
• Reduction of risks by referencing the project context in the planning phase and recognizing interfaces between existing and new buildings
• Supporting the client’s decision-making processes during the course of the project

In addition to the comprehensible representation of complex relationships in geometric and visual form, the aim is to support decision-making and increase public acceptance by communicating the construction project in an understandable way, from planning through to operations.
In doing so, objectives are pursued in the areas of collaboration, processes and technology.

Collaboration

• Minimizing the effort involved in searching for information
• Securing digital collaboration
• Partnership-based project management, i.e. optimal communication and networking of those involved
• Increasing transparency
• Support for public relations work

Processes

• Creating the basis for further planning, construction, and operating phases
• Improvement of data quality

Technology

• Ensuring the “single source of truth”
• Shared use of the information model and associated structured data

The integrated information model for the sub-projects is being pursued with the aim of facilitating a centralized exchange of information. Furthermore, problems that arise are to be visualized and optimized processes can be tested in order to solve them comprehensively.
Planning documents are made available to the authorities for the completion of approval planning.
Planning quality is increased by regularly merging the specialist models into a coordination model for collision checks and systematic conflict resolution.
In the coordination model, collisions between trades or compliance with spatial norms, such as passage widths or areas to be kept clear, can be detected visually or automatically.

3D model creation

• The object planning and all specialist models are modeled and attributed in a defined coordinate system with 3D components
• The level of detail and the attribution of the 3D components depend on the project phase and the specifications of the AIA
• Information requirements (LOIN), level of detail (LOG) and level of information (LOI) are defined in accordance with the AIA and BAP

Benefits

• Creation of the geometric structures of the model
• Creation of data (attributes) in the model to create correlations and dependencies (parametric modelling)
• Use of manufacturer-specific product libraries (e.g. TGA systems)
• Creation of a quality-assured model that represents the standardized and binding planning for all project participants
• Supporting communication with other parties involved in the planning and with the client as well as improving interface coordination