2 MIN READ

Overview summary

  • 50% lower project design costs
  • 80% less design-related travel
  • Unlocked small capital project value
  • Reduced environmental impact

Location: Port Macquarie, Australia

Essential Energy

Powering 95% of NSW with Smart Digital Design

With a network spanning approximately 95% of New South Wales, Australia, Essential Energy distributes electricity services to over 870,000 homes and businesses in 1,500 regional, rural, and remote communities. Faced with a high operational cost to customer ratio, Essential Energy engaged Bentley for assistance in lowering operating costs, minimizing their carbon footprint, and establishing an intelligent digital design system for small capital projects.

Integrated Solutions

Committed to lowering operating costs and unlocking value across small capital energy projects, Essential Energy implemented an intelligent digital design system. The team leveraged the interoperability between Bentley’s applications and Microsoft 365 to automate manual tasks and share up-to-date information among stakeholders. By moving from traditional manual methods to low-cost 3D reality models and automated workflows, Essential Energy was able to improve quality, reduce design and construction rework, and enhance safety.

Solutions

Improved Communication

ProjectWise helped Essential Energy store and share reality models, CAD drawings, and related documents with all project team members, improving collaboration and communication.

Faster Audits with Reality Models

Essential Energy used iTwin Capture to generate digital reality models from drone photos, saving time on post-construction audits.

Streamlined Approvals

Leveraging OpenUtilities Substation, Essential Energy created intelligent 3D models, enabling virtual design reviews and streamlined approval processes.

A completely intelligent digital end-to-end solution has enabled us to reduce costs, increase safety, and remain agile, while increasing transparency and reducing our carbon footprint.

– Matthew Turvey, Senior Electrical Engineer, Substation Design Team, Essential Energy

Want to learn more?

Read the full case study to learn how Bentley’s integrated solutions helped Essential Energy unlock value across small capital projects.