DMD specializes in the planning and design of high voltage power and utility power systems. Our expertise includes overhead and underground power distribution planning and design for infrastructure improvement projects, residential, small and large commercial developments, industrial developments and bridges. In addition we undertake sub-station design and transmission line design.
DMD assist developers, municipalities, commercial and industrial customers with Utility Tariff and regulatory issues such as infill rebates, pioneer refunds, rate classification, site metering options, and transmission customer service options. We can also assist with the business evaluation, design, installation and commissioning of onsite generation options. DMD & Associates Ltd. are an approved BC Hydro Service Provider with staff trained on BC Hydro DAD and PASSPORT systems. Our access to these systems allows DMD to review and assess options early on in the design process, thus benefiting the owner/developer and BC Hydro.
DMD & Associates Ltd. typically undertake designs and prepare plans, specifications and estimates along with construction services for both primary and secondary power distribution systems. This typically includes detailed load calculations for the site, transformer and switching size and placement, sizing of feeders and routing, design of underground ducting system including pads, vaults, manholes and pull boxes, designs of 12kV and 25kV overhead distribution systems including both overhead and underground feeds.
From a planning perspective DMD staff have full CYMDIST™ modelling capabilities for distribution networks. This allows us to model circuit loading and voltage drops, perform distribution feeder load flow and load growth studies, perform switching optimization, contingency analysis and scenario planning, as well as fault current profiling for fuse and protection coordination along with flicker analysis. In addition, DMD have undertaken specific system improvement projects, including field investigations, engineering studies, drawings, tender documents, construction and post construction services.
We have expertise developing Distribution Operating Diagrams (DOD’s) from the BC Hydro DAD system as well as developing BC Hydro Circuit Location Diagrams (CLD’s). This includes combined CLD’s for Substation Planning Maps. We develop Feeder Loading Capacity & Load/Voltage profiles including evaluating load additions; calculating voltage drop; sizing reclosers; determining capacity of feeders based on reactors, cables and overhead conductors; and determining fault current. We calculate and graph voltage profiles across part of the network allowing bottlenecks to be identified. We can review and assess motor inrush and operating currents and define impacts to the system. We also recommend power factor corrections if required. DMD define recloser locations, settings, and system coordination with other reclosers using BC Hydro spreadsheets and graphs. We also define the requirements for sectionalizers or fusing and can coordinate with the BC Hydro Communication Protection Control Group to define the re-closure communication method (i.e. fibre, cell, etc). Our staff have undertaken ground studies including ground resistance testing and ground system design. We also undertake ground fault analysis. We have used Spatial Intelligence to create feeder maps for both planning purposes as well as to visually examine and identify issues that exist in the BC Hydro Distribution Analysis and Design (DAD) database.
We are well versed in utility standards for BC Hydro, Fortis BC, Canadian Electrical Code and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). We are also members of IEEE and CSA. Our staff regularly attend related seminars, workshop and training to bolster our expertise. On many of our projects we work closely with other engineering disciplines and regulatory agencies including environmental, civil, geotechnical, survey, structural and mechanical. Over the years we have developed a sound understanding of each of the disciplines as they relate to electrical. Where additional expertise is needed DMD can retain sub-consultants for additional expertise.
DMD also assists developers and owners in assessing utility options and can assist with the interface with utility companies. This advisory role has proven to be of very high value on past projects. DMD undertakes inspections and reviews of power distribution systems and provides record drawings and Operations and Maintenance data. We often work closely with contractors and installers reviewing workmanship and schedule.
