Applus+, as part of its framework agreement with SP Energy Networks, will be responsible for the detailed engineering of the company’s new electrical substation in Coalburn, Scotland. In this project, Applus+ has applied BIM methodology (Building Information Modelling) in the final design phase, which covers everything from civil works and the physical layout of the equipment to the electrical diagrams.
This project is key to allowing future renewable energy installations to connect to the United Kingdom’s electricity transmission system.
The new Coalburn North substation in South Lanarkshire represents a significant technological upgrade, increasing capacity from 220 kV to 400 kV. This strategic project is part of SP Energy Networks’ investment programme for the electricity grid in central and southern Scotland, contributing directly to the objectives of Scotland’s Net Zero Plan for 2045.
The implementation of BIM methodology allows the project to be managed in an integrated digital environment that centralises all design, planning, cost, maintenance and execution information in real time.
In this project, we applied BIM to create detailed three-dimensional digital models that allow us to accurately visualise the layout of equipment, cable routing and connections, and the integration of all electrical systems in the substation. This technology facilitates the early detection of potential interference between different systems (electrical, civil, mechanical), allowing problems to be resolved before the construction phase. The digital model also acts as a virtual digital twin of the installation, integrating technical and operational data and optimising not only the design and construction, but also the future maintenance of the entire infrastructure.
Thanks to this methodology, it is possible to optimise each phase of the project, reducing deadlines and costs, minimising errors and facilitating coordination between teams. Moreover, the visualisation of solutions is improved prior to implementation, which speeds up decision-making and ensures greater efficiency.
The Coalburn substation plays a key role in Scotland’s transmission infrastructure, as this installation is a critical component in the country’s ambitious plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, facilitating the integration of clean energy into the national grid.
At Applus+, we reaffirm our commitment to innovation and digitisation to contribute to the development of more modern and efficient electrical infrastructures that respond to the current challenges facing the sector.
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