Project Summary

Client
BC Hydro

Services
Electrical Engineering

Market
Energy

Project Description

With RAM’s team having previous experience with BC Hydro in contributing extensive distribution design experience to their overhead and underground distribution system, BC Hydro engaged RAM directly for the Repeatable Design & Engineering (RDE) project, commissioning us to contribute designs for pole replacements.

Eventually, RAM also worked with BC Hydro to expand the RDE project contract to include distribution design services to supply power to new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Our Role

 

After BC Hydro releases batches of poles to RAM which require replacement, we conduct site visits for assessment, ultimately providing a design for the replacement of every pole in these batches.  This also includes coordinating with environmental specialists and Indigenous Relations specialists as needed.

RAM’s distribution design services provided to BC Hydro include:
  • overhead power line design including analysis of wood pole strength and conductor sag/clearances;
  • underground power line design including civil design to accommodate electrical infrastructure;
  • transformer specification;
  • wire specification;
  • fuse coordination;
  • obtaining municipal utility permits for construction;
  • obtaining BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure permits for construction;
  • design support during construction;
  • field reviews;
  • record drawings;

EV Charging Map

 

 

Project Highlights

The first package of 22 pole replacements is currently in progress in Victoria and Esquimalt on Vancouver Island. Site visits were conducted by RAM’s telecommunications division, Encepta, and RAM’s electrical designer joined Encepta for the first few site visits to ensure delivery of high-quality data for the designs.