The design of the BIM model for the newly constructed 2×400 kV Kozienice-Miłosna double-circuit power line, Poland

Eltel Networks Engineering SA participated in the design of the BIM model for the newly constructed 2×400 kV Kozienice-Miłosna double-circuit power line. The investment is a conversion of the existing 400 kV single-circuit line into a double-circuit line.

The existing single-circuit line was designed at the end of the 1960s and constructed in 1970. The line connecting the Miłosna substation to the Kozienice Power Plant and substation provides power supply in north-east and central Poland and outputs power from the Kozienice Power Plant.

The challenge was to model the newly constructed 2×400 kV Kozienice-Miłosna double-circuit line in the BIM methodology, as it was the first Polish pilot project that used the BIM to construct the power line model of strategic importance for Poland. With the involvement of Eltel Networks Engineering SA and the experience gained, the Building Information Modelling (BIM) used in the general construction industry has been successfully implemented in the electrical power engineering sector. The popular BIM is implemented by the contractors, designers, and also more and more often by informed private investors.
The BIM is the process of flow, collection and processing of information, using the computer tools, which is necessary for the efficient use of resources in order to achieve the construction objectives from the concept through the construction and operation. BIM can also be defined as a parametric information model for the construction process, containing all the necessary data and properties to accurately reflect the actual facility in the digital space, along with the associated processes.

The model of the 400 kV double-circuit power line created in Revit consisted of towers, bases of foundation, insulators and cables. In addition, the terrain was modelled reflecting the designed area. In order for the model to provide as much detail as possible, all its elements were saturated with information before being exported to IFC. The model and the terrain were split and exported in sections to allow for navigation when viewing the visualization. After the complete model was ready, the drawings were created as the design documentation.

The modelling of the 2×400 kV Kozienice-Miłosna double-circuit power line in the BIM methodology was a pilot project in the Polish power engineering sector implemented by the Eltel Networks Engineering SA team in 2022. The project resulted in the development of the BIM model using the optimum solutions enabled by the latest software and the extension of the Eltel Networks team competences. The use of the BIM technology has helped to save time and reduce the project running costs, thanks to, among other things, the ability of creating documentation at the construction and implementation phases and the facilitations during the preparation of multiple variations of the same design as well as faster preparation of BOMs (bill of materials). The BIM, therefore provides tangible benefits to all participants in the investment process: the designer, the contractor and the investor. The efficient implementation of the 2×400 kV Kozienice-Miłosna double-circuit power line project confirms that our team is a business partner that ensures good collaboration, delivers outstanding projects within the given deadlines and always takes care of the highest quality of workmanship.