Power cable routing and design

Power cable routing and design involves the planning, surveying, and engineering of routes for subsea or on land power cables. Cable routing, design and engineering are vital for making sure that cables are laid in optimal paths to maximise efficiency, minimise risks, and reduce environmental impact. The process includes assessing seabed conditions, potential hazards, and environmental factors to design routes that are safe, cost-effective, and reliable over the cable's operational life.

We use several types of advanced technologies such as: data integration and modelling, geospatial data, airborne lidar and RAMMS (Rapid Airborne Multibeam Mapping System). All of this support the future of the industry and are part of our data consultancy.

Airborne lidar surveys are increasingly used in power cable route surveys due to their ability to quickly and accurately gather high-resolution spatial data. The primary applications in the context of power cable routing are for: coastal and nearshore mapping, terrain analysis, obstacle detection, environmental impact assessment and integrated ground models.

The benefits of airborne lidar in power cable route surveys are:

• Speed: rapid data acquisition over large areas.

• Accuracy: high-resolution spatial data enhances planning precision.

• Cost-effectiveness: reduces the need for extensive on-ground surveys.

• Safety: non-intrusive, minimising risk to survey teams in hazardous areas.

Fugro's RAMMS uses multibeam sonar technology, which is primarily used to map underwater environments. It delivers high-quality coastal and nearshore bathymetric datasets quickly and cost-effectively. This capability is essential for assessing landfall challenges and integrating marine and terrestrial data into a single ground model, which informs cable design and installation strategies.

Power networks and electrical grids are critical systems that enable the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity across regions, ensuring that energy reaches consumers efficiently and reliably. With the increasing demand for electricity and the integration of renewable energy sources, power networks and electrical grids must be designed and maintained to ensure a reliable and efficient supply of electricity.

By leveraging their capabilities in cable design and selection, Fugro can support distribution network operators (DNOs) the provision of efficient and reliable electricity supply to their customers.

Our vegetation risk assessments are vital for ensuring the safety and reliability of power networks. The approach includes:

• Lidar Data Analysis: We use lidar to assess vegetation encroachment near existing or planned power lines, identifying risks such as overgrowth or trees susceptible to falling.

• Proactive Management: By pinpointing high-risk areas, we help prioritise vegetation trimming or removal, reducing the likelihood of power outages or fire hazards.

• Environmental Stewardship: Our assessments balance infrastructure safety with ecological considerations, ensuring minimal disruption to habitats and compliance with environmental regulations.

UK power networks use advanced technology to monitor and maintain its overhead cables, ensuring that they operate efficiently. We support in this process by providing high-resolution surveying, data integration, and modelling services that help optimise cable routing and infrastructure design. Using our years of expertise in geospatial data collection and digital twins, UK power networks can enhance their proactive approach, minimising downtime and quickly addressing any issues that may arise. This collaboration ensures that the electricity network remains robust and dependable, meeting the demands of modern energy systems.

Our approach to power cable routing combines digitisation and automation to deliver precise, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for transmission network projects. Using advanced tools like digital twins and AI-driven analytics, Fugro transforms raw survey data into actionable insights that enhance network performance. These technologies streamline the design and planning process, enabling optimal cable routes that account for terrain, environmental conditions, and regulatory requirements. By integrating automation into workflows, we reduce project timelines while ensuring high levels of accuracy, reliability, and operational performance in cable installation.

Fugro ROAMES® is a cutting-edge digital platform that revolutionises infrastructure management by creating virtual models of power networks using geospatial data and advanced analytics. It enables operators to monitor assets, assess risks in real time, and optimise maintenance schedules to reduce costs and improve network performance. Seamlessly integrating with our expertise in cable routing, data consulting, and automation, Fugro ROAMES® supports the safe, sustainable, and resilient management of modern energy infrastructure.