Electrical power grid

Electrical power grid services

We provide expert services and competent know-how for every stage of electrical power grid life cycle from design to construction supervision and condition inspections.

Design

Supervision

Construction management

Measurements

Documentation

Maintenance

Electrical power grid

Electrical power grid planning

Our carefully implemented design process is based on expertise and provides clients with indispensable information for investment planning and construction. At the construction phase of a power grid, we take care of client’s interests in the role of a developer and constructor, ensuring that the project is carried out cost-effectively, safely and on the schedule. After construction of the electrical power grid, we help our clients in maintenance.

Our services are nationwide and tailored to cater for every client’s case-specific needs.

Development plans

We prepare development plans required from electricity companies, considering companies’ strategic goals, and legislation. Provided plans resent the development needs of the grid, complying with the electricity supply security requirements mandated by the Electricity Market Act. Electricity companies are obliged to submit an updated power grid development plan to the Energy Authority every two years.

General design

On basis of the development plan, we prepare the power grid general design. The general design is a starting point for a more detailed electrotechnical design and terrain planning. The design always considers electricity company’s own strategic goals and the development prospects of the target area.

Asset management

We help the electricity distribution operators in the development of asset management. Power grid asset management is one of the most critical functions of electricity companies – we provide expertise that is based on experience with different operating methods around Finland. We can offer asset management as a completely outsourced function or, alternatively, carry out a separate asset management development project.

Electrical design

In electric design, the electrical power grid is dimensioned in accordance with requirements of the standards and the criteria presented by the client. With pre-planning, we provide an estimated cost of the construction of the electrical power grid to support our client’s investment calculations. During the terrain planning phase, the electric dimensioning is reviewed on and modified on regular basis as the planning progresses to ensure quality of the plan and its compliance with the regulations.

Terrain planning

The terrain planning phase covers mapping the routes for the electrical power grid including considering the existing components in the terrain, if necessary. In terrain planning, the feasibility of the planned route is examined, and solutions are sought to circumvent possible obstacles. If required, then during the terrain planning phase, inspections are also carried out with participation of the authorities, and the contractor’s or client’s representative. As the result of terrain planning, the client is provided with a work package of documents to be used in the construction of the power grid.

Permitting

We take care of the permits of the designed route from the start to finish. We negotiate and close investment contracts with landowners. We handle required electric power grid permits and contracts with regarding roads, waterways, and environment with ELY-centres (The Centres for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment) and regional state administrative agencies (AVI). We handle investment permit applications, building permits and operating permits with local authorities of municipalities and cities. In addition, we sort out other permit-related issues and statements should be considered, for example, with regards to Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and Finnish Heritage Agency.

Electrical power grid

Construction management of electrical power grid

Construction management of electrical power grid

Work management

In our capacity as client’s constructor and foreman, we are responsible for work orders and schedules, work monitoring, approving of invoices, site supervision, and for checking terrain plans. We participate in work site meetings during the contract period and check the work documents prepared by the contractor. If necessary, we also handle complaints on behalf of the client and the indispensable communication with landowners and authorities. We report our work in accordance with the practice agreed with the client.

Work-site supervision

We monitor both work-site construction quality and safety and report our clients abut conformity thereof to the agreed plan. We carry out site inspections in accordance with the agreed plan and in form of spot checks. If necessary, we brief and guide contractors in issues and work procedures related to the construction site.

Safety Coordinator

We take care the statutory safety coordinator duties at the construction site, acting in the capacity of client’s safety coordinator.

Commissioning of the electrical power grid

When the electrical power grid is ready and complies with the requirements, the commissioning of the network is started. In the commissioning phase, a decision is made, how and where the commissioning of the grid is most sensible. We design the necessary connections and power supply interruptions in the way that power outages will be minimized. Our services also comprise the planning of dismantling the power grid no longer in use. In addition, we offer operations manager services.

Mapping

We carry out location measurements and inspections of cables with accuracy and tools required by the client. We use GNSS and total station equipment for the purpose. Mapping, enables to determine the installation depth of the cables. Mappings and inspections can be carried out during construction, during final inspections of construction sites, and to update the documentation of the existing power grid. We transfer and store the data directly in client’s systems.

Measurements

We perform grounding impedance measurements for both compact and extensive groundings. We also carry out soil resistivity measurements in terrain. The measurement results are used, for example, as input data for grounding design, maintenance inspections and network commissioning inspections.

Electrical power grid

Procurement

Procurement

To meet our clients’ needs, we provide expertise in all aspects of the energy sector procurement and at all stages of the life cycle thereof. Our procurement experts help to ensure strategy-supporting and long-term profitable purchases. We consider different perspectives in terms of risk management, responsibility, and cost efficiency.

Responsible supply chain

We bring into the supply chain areas of responsibility that support the company’s strategy.

Public procurement

We carry out public procurements in special fields and provide support during the entire life cycle thereof.

Development of procurement

We apply a modern reference framework for procurement in accordance with client’s goal, e.g., action plans, process descriptions, templates.

Energy sector procurements

Our experts help at all stages of the procurement process, regardless, whether it’s a one-time investment or an ongoing service contract.

Electrical power grid

Documentation

Electrical power grid documentation

We document the site information in the client’s online and other information systems. Documentation during the construction time includes a so-called red-pen-inspection phase, i.e., the phase when updates, corrections and changes made in the design maps and other documents by developer or contractor by hand, are entered in the online information system. We also document and update the data of the existing electrical power grid and check that the power grid described in the system corresponds to the situation on the terrain.

Final documentation

The final documentation is prepared after the construction is completed. In connection with that, the correctness of the component information is checked in accordance with client’s instructions. We may include in the documentation the final financial statement in which the conformity between costs reported by the contractor and the costs recorded in the online information system is reviewed using unit lists.

Mastering

Mastering of the power grid means exporting real time situation of the electric power grid to the database of the grid information system. On behalf of our clients, we carry out the grid commissioning paperwork and mastering.

Electrical power grid

Maintenance of the electrical power grid

Maintenance of the electrical power grid

Maintenance inspections

During maintenance inspections of the electrical grid, we check the compliance of the power gird components, such as electric poles, transformers and distribution cabinets with the regulations, the correctness of markings and the possible need for repairs. We check whether the observations about the terrain and the electrical grid match the data recorded in the system. We will update the information if necessary or provide the client with a listing, which can be implemented at client’s own discretion. We also carry out required measurements.

Maintenance planning

Our maintenance planning provides solutions in situations in which the replacement of electrical power grid components such as rotten pole, etc. is required. We evaluate the need for renewal and provide our clients with an overview of cost-effective implementation of the power grid renovation: different options with cost effects and schedule estimates. Maintenance plans may also be done for individual, more limited entities.

Malfunctions and major disturbances

In case of fault situations and major disruptions, we work together with electricity companies’ disruption units and the management of regional organizations. In addition, we also assist in field work, for example, for the purpose of delimiting faults oin the electrical power grid.

Forest clearings

We take care of the clearing of trees and vegetation on the main route, and of processing the border zone according to expropriation permits. During clearing and tree-cutting phase e also take care of the sale of the landowner’s timber and the related communication with all parties involved.

Mapping

We carry out location measurements and inspections of cables with the accuracy and tools required by the client. We use GNSS and total station equipment. When mapping, we can determine the installation depth of the cables. Mappings and inspections can be carried out during construction, during final inspections of construction sites, and to update the documentation of the existing power grid. We transfer and store the data directly in client’s systems.

Measurements

We perform grounding impedance measurements for both compact and extensive groundings. We also carry out soil resistivity measurements in terrain. The measurement results are used, for example, as input data for grounding design, maintenance inspections, and power grid commissioning inspections.

Efficiency in all phases of the electrical power grid life cycle

In our work, we use, among other things, the following programs, and applications:

  • TrimbleNIS
  • Profila
  • ABB Integra
  • PG Field

  • HeadPower

  • Quentic

  • Gurufield

  • Buildie

  • M Files

Operation manager services

We provide statutory operation manager services carried out by persons with electrical qualification S1.

The owner of the electrical equipment must appoint an operator for the equipment when the equipment includes parts with a nominal voltage of more than 1000 V or when the equipment’s connection power is more than 1600 kVA.

Operations manager is responsible for ensuring that:

  • The use and maintenance of electrical equipment complies with the Electrical Safety Act.
  • The electrical equipment is during its use in the condition required by the Electrical Safety Act.

  • The equipment is operated by professional and adequately trained personnel.

Operator services guarantee the owner of the electrical equipment that the requirements of the law will be met. The service is tailored according to client’s needs and can include, for example, guidance, supervision, inspections and training. In addition to tasks required by law, the service may also include other content.

Training

Despro is an SFS 6002 electrical work safety trainer authorized by SETI Personal and Company Assessment Ltd.

In Finland, electrical safety training is a mandatory for everyone working in the electrical industry, and it must be renewed every five years. The training we provide is suitable for all professionals working in the electrical industry.

The training contains:

  • Electrical work safety key regulations
  • Electrical work safety SFS 6002 standards

  • Electricity hazards and correct operating procedures
  • Work methods and maintenance practices

The training ends with an exam, the passing of which is a prerequisite for issuing an electrical work safety card. Inform us about your need for additional training – we can organise electrical work safety card training flexibly according to your needs.

Contact us

How can I help?

Päivi is able to offer expertise in the basic needs of the distribution network side as well as in the most complex development projects.

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Brief in English

Despro provides professional services for energy and telecom industries. We offer our services for network construction companies, network owners and other stakeholders