ENERGY & UTILITIES
One sector in which TWM has utilized tried-and-true surveying and engineering methods combined with new technology and thinking outside of the box is the energy and utility market. We work with clients from almost every facet of power generation and distribution to help them exceed as production requirements continue to increase. From standard gas, electric, and petroleum through wind, solar, and charging stations, TWM partners with our clients to solve their next challenge.
WHAT WE DO
TWM has been providing both geospatial and engineering services to our energy and utility partners for 77 years. We pride ourselves in being a “one-stop shop” for services that range from site design and structural analysis to data collection and as-builts for hundreds of miles of distribution and transmission installation.
As the energy and utility sectors grow and evolve, it’s imperative to partner with a firm that leverages technology and also has the experience, depth, and versatility to prepare for this unprecedented growth and face complex challenges as they arise.
Surveying & Mapping for Utilities/Energy
No two projects are the same, which means applying experience, depth, and versatility to the ever-changing world of renewables and fossil fuel energy is necessary. TWM leverages the latest surveying and engineering technology to approach projects in a direct and purposeful manner. Using this technology, we can provide numerous services to manage both small- and large-scale projects.
When calling a state’s One Call Service isn’t enough, TWM uses the latest, most advanced conductive and inductive electromagnetic locating equipment and GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) coupled with the latest technologies in surveying to deliver a service unmatched in locating accuracy. Integrating this equipment with our existing GNSS receivers and total stations gives us the ability to provide that data in various formats. Marked on the ground, GIS or a CAD drawing are our primary deliverables. Having data geospatially referenced is the best way to keep track of assets, prevent future damage, and reduce costs on future planning and construction project costs.
TWM is equipped to handle SUE Level B (non-excavation underground detection), Level C (above ground reconnaissance), and Level D (records search) projects.
Many of our industrial and mechanical clients struggle with the organization and space of all of the equipment and machines that are needed for daily operations. TWM can capture the room, building, or outdoor space with terrestrial scanners or the NavVis system. This creates an exact replica of the project site to aid in design. From modeling a new connection to running clash detections through a site, TWM utilizes the intricate point cloud to walk clients through what works for a specific site. Once the project is complete or before it’s begun, TWM can help create a digital twin of your site. As-built scans along with the compilation of all record documents that are available can be placed into a geographically referenced map that’s easily accessible.
TWM works with various electric suppliers from the beginning of projects all the way to the end. We complete pre-design surveys including boundary, topographic, and LiDAR surveys to aid in the design of proposed routes. Exhibits and legal descriptions are often needed for land and/or easement acquisition. When construction season hits, TWM is ready for whatever layout may be needed. Preliminary structure locations, right-of-way staking, environmental staking, easement staking, and proposed foundation staking are a few of the tasks our crews are skilled in managing.
Post construction work is just as important to our electric clients as every other task. Quality control such as sag checks on new transmission lines are necessary to ensure the accuracy of construction and to ensure future safety and life of the line. TWM is also well-equipped to provide as-built LiDAR for the completed project.
When pole construction is complete, the lines still need to be strung. We understand how to read the sag charts and accurately collect the data needed to communicate with the contractor as the lines are being pulled so that the final elevation and tension of the line ends where it should.
Similarly to our electric clients, our clients in the gas supply sector are overwhelmed with the continual increase in customer needs as well as aging infrastructure. While they deal with these challenges, TWM is there to help with pre-design boundary, topographic, and LiDAR surveys all the way through construction completion. Easement and land acquisition exhibits and legal descriptions are imperative as outdated easements are being updated. TWM takes the pre-design data and works with our clients to create construction plans. Throughout the construction phase, we provide as-built surveys in whatever format is desired: plan redlines, CAD files or GIS are our typical as-built deliverables.
As solar and wind energy becomes more and more popular, many of our county, municipal, and township clients are dealing with the overwhelming task of how to regulate developers. One area that our clients have expressed the most need in this sector is to review decommissioning plans and estimates. TWM works with our clients to help them understand what acceptable language is necessary, what meets their ordinance/statute, and what is a reasonable estimate for decommissioning, before the farm is even built.
TWM also works with solar and wind developers to find the optimal site that meets all their criteria. TWM utilizes publicly available data as well as data our clients have already collected and combines that with a geographic information system (GIS) to narrow down the list of parcels that can be reviewed. Once the site is chosen, TWM works with our clients in whatever way is needed: environmental research, boundary and topographic surveys, and construction layout.
TWM understands that the current transportation market is beginning to shift from being powered by gas/diesel to electric. Staying on the leading edge of this shift, TWM has worked with private and public clients to design EV charging stations. As this sector of the power market continues to grow, TWM will be working hand-in-hand with our clients to help work through the unknowns.
In addition to the conventional means of “videoing” haul routes for construction projects, we have utilized our mobile LiDAR unit to obtain pre-construction pavement condition data on haul routes for recorded proof of hard to detect rutting or alligator cracking.
PRIVATE UTILITY LOCATING SERVICES
OTHER GEOSPATIAL SERVICES
TWM separates itself from the competition by using state-of-the-art technology for data collection. Besides traditional surveying methods, we own, operate, and test reality capture tools daily, including UAVs, mobile/terrestrial LiDAR units, and the accompanying software.
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. NOTHING LESS.
That’s our company mission and our promise to you. Our success is built upon a solid reputation for getting the job done right. One thing we are particularly proud of is approximately 95% of TWM’s work comes from repeat business. We believe our resolution of challenges sets us apart, and based on our level of repeat business, we think our clients will agree.