TRANSMISSION LINES
With over 25 years of proven transmission engineering design experience, Mesa has the in-house capability to complete all facets of transmission and distribution design for new lines, upgrades, modifications and diversions of existing transmission lines, tower structures, foundations and hardware.
Our unique base of expertise along with our past experience and familiarity with transmission line industry practices and standards, will allow us to efficiently provide the following range of services for your transmission line projects.
Feasibility Studies and Conceptual Engineering & Design
Our Line Design group has expertise in performing feasibility studies for evaluation and comparison of alternatives and to provide an economic project assessment. The study leads to decisions on design philosophy and criteria, configuration, operational aspects, ratings, and economics.
Physical aspects and system performance are often addressed simultaneously in optimizing the transmission line project. Specific studies that we conduct as part of the feasibility study include:
| Ambient Environmental Considerations | Structure Type Evaluation |
| Insulation Coordination | Conductor Parameters |
| Selection of Voltage Level | Current Carrying Capacity |
| Underground vs. Overhead | Cost and Economic Evaluation |
Mesa’s line design staff is proficient in performing conceptual designs to optimize the plans chosen from feasibility studies. Computer methods covering areas such as field effects, structure loading, sag and tension, and ampacity are used extensively. Also, particular client design preferences, and operational and maintenance practices are considered. The results are documented in a Design Criteria Document (DCD), which includes a summary of design criteria, study results, conceptual structure outlines, and other pertinent information. The DCD serves as an overall plan guide document for subsequent detailed engineering and design.
Mesa has experience in performing various studies for the conceptual design phase that includes:
| Insulation Selection | Structure Type Selection |
| Line Capacity | Conductor and Shield Wire Selection |
| Corona and Field Effects | Special Conductor Clearances |
| Sag and Tension Calculations | Working/Ground Clearances |
| Cost Estimates-Economics | Power Loss Study |
| Shielding | Grounding System |
| Foundation Parameters | Audible Noise |
| EMF/Corona Analysis | Hardware Selection Criteria |
Detailed Engineering & Design
Mesa has completed hundreds of detailed engineering and design projects ranging in voltages from 46-kV through 500-kV. Examples of specific tasks, for both new and existing lines performed by Mesa on a routine basis include:
| Plan and Profile Development | Line Optimization |
| Structure Design & Analysis | Guys and Anchors |
| Insulator Assemblies | Foundation Design and Analysis (Poles & Towers) |
| Structure Grounding Design | Structure Load/Clearance Diagrams (Poles & Towers) |
| Supporting Hardware Selection | Conductor Vibration Analysis |
| Aircraft Warning System | Swing Clearance Calculations |
| Sag and Tension Data | Environmental Assessments |
| Material Specifications | Procurement Documents |
| Structure Spotting |
Construction Interface, Support and Management
Mesa has a unique combination of highly experienced employees with electric utility service who have had many hours of actual field experience coordinating with construction and maintenance personnel. This experience base has provided us a unique ability to assist utility or contractor construction personnel in resolving unanticipated issues or circumstances identified during the construction phase of transmission line projects. Additionally, Mesa has highly qualified transmission line construction management personnel that can provide management and supervisor services to both utility and/or their construction contractor.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Civil/Structural Engineering & Design
Mesa has a broad range of civil/structural engineering expertise to draw from. Our engineering qualifications, spanning many decades, is the backbone of our core services. Our involvement on various civil/structural projects range from being in responsible charge and engineer of record, to providing specialized expertise like mapping and measuring legacy structures. We are easily equipped to provide you with civil/structural engineering services such as:
| Structural Inspections, Mapping & Analyses | |
| Site Development Design | |
| SPCC Design | |
| Existing Structure and Foundation Modifications | |
| New Structure and Foundation Designs | |
| ⚬ Aluminum | ⚬ Drilled Shaft |
| ⚬ Concrete | ⚬ Direct Embed |
| ⚬ Steel | ⚬ Driven Pile |
| ⚬ Wood | ⚬ Spread Footing |
Right-of-Way Design and Acquisition
Mesa has been providing right-of-way services for a variety of electrical utilities since 1995. Our range of experience allows us to approach each realty project with a good understanding of state and local requirements used in the acquisition of electrical utility easements and fee property tracts. Our services include:
| Feasibility Studies | Property Legal Descriptions |
| Route and Site Selection | Permitting –Municipal, County, State, Federal |
| Preliminary Title Notes | Native American Land Negotiations |
| Title Research and Limited Title Certificates | Database Administration |
| Property Owner Identification | Document Preparation and Management |
| Line List Development | Construction Support and Damage Settlement |
| Attorney’s Opinion of Title | GIS & Mapping and Property Plats |
| Due Dilligence | Field Office Location and Set-up |
| Survey Permission and Assistance | Eminent Domain Support |
| Appraisals | Agent Training and Development |
| Acquisition of Easements, Leases, and Fee Purchases |
SURVEY SERVICES
Mesa has been providing Survey Services to various electrical utilities since 1995. Our ability to scale to any project scope with minimal notice has served our utility clients well. We can provide the qualified crews required to meet any of your survey needs. Services performed include the following:
| Route Reconnaissance | Mapping/Drafting Support |
| Preliminary Surveys | Right-of-Way Parcel Plats/Descriptions |
| Boundary Surveys | DOT Crossing Permit Survey |
| River Crossings | Aerial Photogrammetric Mapping |
| Topographic Surveys | Geodetic Control Survey |
| As-Built Surveys | Subsurface Utility Investigations |
| Unit Designation Survey | Line Locating |
| Center-Line Staking, Benchmarking, and Construction Survey Requirements |
REALTY SERVICES
Mesa has a highly qualified and experienced staff to supply cutting edge technology and provide the following services related to acquisition of right-of-way for transmission line and related projects:
Abstract of Title
Acquisition Negotiation
Appraisal
Attorney’s Opinion of Title
Easement Mapping & Property Plats
Preliminary Title Note
Preparation of Closing Statement
Preparation of Grant of Easement or Fee Simple Acquisition
Property Legal Descriptions
Property Owner Identification
Title Research/Review
The use of UAS provides numerous advantages over traditional methods, including cost, safety, and improved quality. Applications include:
| T&D Assets |
| Inspections |
| Surveying |
| Storm Response Assessment |
| Thermal Imaging for Predictive Maintenance |
| Vegetation Assessment |