by wp-admin | Mar 22, 2017 | Uncategorized
DMD is Now Following the SCRUM Framework Methodology! SCRUM is an iterative and incremental agile framework process for managing tasks and product development created by Jeff Sutherland and Ken Schwaber. Though this was originally developed for the software industry, there have been many adaptations of SCRUM implemented over the years in different industries. Since we are a progressive company, the “lightbulb”went off earlier this year as we were gearing up for our office re-organization. Our staff moved into different work groups to sit with, or close to their respective Project Managers. This was the perfect time for us to implement a more structured type of reporting framework. Enter SCRUM. It has been 3 weeks since we have been following SCRUM and here’s what we’ve noticed: Project Managers have a clear indication of which tasks are being worked on by staff throughout the day thanks to proactive reporting Staff have a higher accountability to complete the tasks they report each morning If staff are encountering problems, they are discussed early and often Staff feel an increased level of support from their Managers and Project Managers We understand that the SCRUM method will not be a perfect fit for every organization but we are extremely pleased with the results we are already getting from the program. To learn more about the SCRUM methodology, visit this Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrum_(software_development)....
by wp-admin | Feb 8, 2017 | Uncategorized
DMD is in growth mode! We have recently added 5 new expansion “electrical designer” positions to the team and are gearing up for the completion of our new office addition which will house another 9 employees. We will be re-configuring our floor plan to follow the SCRUM method in order to create accountability and ownership within the workplace. Please stay tuned for pictures of our new work space upon completion. If you are interested in joining our growing team, please email your resume...
by wp-admin | May 1, 2016 | Announcement, Power
A building proposed by a developer was adjacent to a transmission corridor and maintaining the required clearances from the transmission to the building became an issue. Due to environmental electric fields being present in and near a high voltage transmission corridor, an adequate setback must be maintained to achieve the safety of workers, maintenance staff and the general public. With the proposed building height and a transmission ROW with two 500kV lines, a recommended setback of the building was provided by a table in the utility provider’s technical guideline. As dictated by the technical guideline, if the building is proposed at a closer setback than allowed for in the guideline, a detailed electric field study must be undertaken and submitted to the utility for review. DMD undertook the required electric field study to determine the minimum permissible distance from the closest conductor in the utility Right of Way (ROW) based on tolerances from IEEE and the utility. For the study we used a Corona and Field Effects software to determine the environmental electric field. Our analysis showed a potential reduction in building setback to meet the developer’s requirements while still maintaining the safety levels required of IEEE and the local...
by wp-admin | Apr 1, 2016 | AdaptiveLighting, RoadwayLighting
For the purposes of evaluation DMD have LED street lights and an adaptive lighting control system installed on the roadway fronting their office. The City of Surrey’s lighting requirements for this local road with a low pedestrian activity is 0.3 cd/m². End of life light levels (at 20 years) with these LED’s are calculated to be 0.65 cd/m². Current light levels are more than twice the required levels at 0.74 cd/m². The adaptive controls allow lighting levels to be adjusted remotely via software and a computer. Earlier in the year DMD conducted a study where lighting was dimmed from full output (100%) down to 20% of full output in 10% intervals. A group of volunteers were assembled to review the visibility impacts of the dimming. The vast majority of those partaking in the study found no significant loss in visibility until the lighting was dimmed to 20% of the current output (80% reduction). To put this in perspective, after dimming to 20%, the light levels were only half of the required lighting level of 0.3 cd/m². The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) have conducted similar studies and found similar results at an 80% reduction of light output. These studies are significant in defining the range of allowable dimming for LED lighting systems. These results show great potential for dimming street lights leading to significant energy savings. DMD will continue to study and assess adaptive control systems which will lead to recommendations on the implementation of dimming street...
by wp-admin | Jan 22, 2016 | Announcement, Power
The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is a non-profit organization which hosts an annual summer fair in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Other than the fair, Hastings Park is also the home of Playland (Amusement Park), Hastings Park Horse Race Track, the Pacific Coliseum (former home of the NHL Vancouver Canucks), the PNE Forum, and the PNE Agrodome. It was formerly the site of Empire Stadium, which has been demolished and replaced with a public soccer field. In 2011 the City issued the Hastings Park / PNE Master Plan – A New Vision for Hastings Park to transform Hastings Park into a greener, year-round destination for park use, culture, sport and recreation, pleasure, and fun. Highlights of the plan include relocating and expanding Playland, connecting to Burrard Inlet, adding park space and natural habitats, creating celebratory spaces, and acknowledging Hasting Park’s history. Early in 2015 DMD were retained to undertake a review of the existing electrical, communications and lighting infrastructure and develop a conceptual design and cost estimate for upgrades within the context of the Master Plan and future needs. DMD undertook a complete review of the existing 4kV and 12.5kV electrical system throughout the entire 150 acre park. The existing system included various sub-stations, transformers, overhead and underground feeds, telecommunications feeds to venues and buildings throughout the site. DMD were able to extract data from BC Hydro’s DAD system which was used to define existing demand and peak loads along with overall power consumption and rate schedules. We reviewed rate schedules and costs in detail and provided a complete assessment. Also included is a complete assessment of the telecommunications system...
