Digitalization Supports Energy Transition

Qirion operates as an engineering department within Alliander, often working on its own networks alongside national projects. Many of these projects involve the construction or renovation of existing stations where high voltage is converted to low voltage for further distribution. Qirion’s goal is to create innovative solutions for sustainable capacity to address energy issues.

Qirion aims to create innovative solutions for sustainable capacity to address energy issues. One of these innovations is the use of Scan to BIM. This technology transforms existing stations into accurate digital versions, complete with all the necessary additional data. This approach was seen as a way to streamline the process and work more efficiently on multiple projects simultaneously.

The digitization of this information to streamline the process was a logical option. Scan to BIM provides an accurate digital version of such a station, complete with all necessary additional data. ‘We are always looking for ways to lighten our workload or work more efficiently, allowing us to complete more projects in the same amount of time. Allinq Digital demonstrated in a presentation what was possible with a 3D scan and the resulting 3D models. That’s how the ball got rolling

The conversion of the 3D scan into an editable 3D model is done in close collaboration between Qirion and Allinq Digital. Qirion provides 3D scans of the stations where work needs to be performed, which Allinq Digital uses as a basis for creating a detailed Revit 3D model. “We have just successfully completed a pilot. The collaboration has been very successful, and we received what we asked for.” The pilot consisted of two different projects. One of them was a station for which Allinq Digital received a scan of the entire switchyard to develop it comprehensively. “In the coming years, we plan to upgrade various parts of the switchyard in different projects. We will be replacing old components with new and improved ones. Additionally, we are planning expansions.

“To carry out these tasks, we provide the 3D model to the party responsible for designing the new components for us. Based on that model, they can create their designs so that the components seamlessly fit into the existing station. Additionally, we are likely to add a new field that needs to be designed based on the existing field, ensuring optimal integration of the new field with the existing one, both in overall construction and components.” The other project involves the conversion of two existing transformer enclosures for two new transformers with different power ratings. “The dimensions of the current transformer enclosures are suitable, but many aspects need adjustment. The new transformers will be connected with a different voltage, so new cables are required. The building structure of the transformer enclosures also needs modification to accommodate the new transformers. Having this enclosure in 3D is highly beneficial for us as we can model the new components inside it.”

The most significant benefit of this collaboration for Qirion is the time saved. Oolderink stated, “Allinq Digital can create these models much faster than we can. Of course, there are associated costs, but when the lead time is reduced so drastically that we can complete much more work in the same time, collaboration becomes much more attractive to us.” “We are now evaluating the results with our management team, and the next step in increasing efficiency might be to have the entire process from scanning to 3D modeling executed in one go by a partner like Allinq Digital.”