Transmission Lines
With over 32 years of proven transmission engineering design experience, Mesa has the in-house capability to complete all facets of overhead and underground transmission design for new lines, upgrades, modifications, and relocations of existing transmission lines in addition to the engineering of 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
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:
Overhead Transmission
- Environmental Considerations
- Conductor Parameters
- Cost and Economic Evaluation
- Current Carrying Capacity
- Insulation Coordination
- Line Route Selection/Siting
- Outage Plans
- Right of Way Studies
- Selection of Voltage Level
- Structure Type Evaluation
Underground Transmission
- Environmental Considerations
- Ampacity and Temperature Rise Calculations
- Conductor Parameters
- Cost and Economic Evaluation
- Current Carrying Capacity
- Estimation Tension and Sidewall Pressure
- Line Route Selection/Siting
- Outage Plans
- Right of Way Studies
- Selection of Voltage Level
- Transition Structure Insulation Coordination
- Transition Structure Type Evaluation
Conceptual Engineering & Design
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, estimating ending tension, sidewall pressure, reducing the number of vaults and pull boxes, analyzing jam probability, ampacity, and temperature rise calculations 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 include:
Overhead Transmission
- Audible Noise
- Conductor and Shield Wire Selection
- Corona and Field Effects
- Cost Estimates-Economics
- EMF/Corona Analysis
- Foundation Parameters
- Grounding System
- Hardware Selection Criteria
- Insulation Selection
- Line Capacity
- Power Loss Study
- Sag and Tension Calculations
- Shielding
- Special Conductor Clearances
- Structure Type/Material Selection
- Working/Ground Clearances
Underground Transmission
- Ancillary Facility Design
- Audible Noise
- Conductor Selection
- Corona and Field Effects
- Cost Estimates-Economics
- Design Advanced Bore Plans for Horizontal Drill Bores
- EMF/Corona Analysis
- Foundation Parameters
- Grounding System
- Hardware Selection Criteria
- Jack and Bore Calculations
- Line Capacity
- Non-Isothermal Earth Surface Modeling
- Power Loss Study
- Pulling Tension Calculations
- Sag and Tension Calculations
- Steady State and Transient Thermal Cable Rating
- Transition Structure Design
- Transition Structure Insulation Selection
Detailed Engineering & Design
Mesa has completed hundreds of detailed engineering and design projects ranging in voltages from 69kV through 500kV. Examples of specific tasks, for both new and existing overhead and underground lines performed by Mesa on a routine basis include:
Overhead Transmission
- Aircraft Warning System
- Conductor Vibration Analysis
- Detailed IFC Packages
- Environmental Assessments
- Environmental/Culturally Sensitive Area Design
- Equipment/Structure Fabrication Inspections
- Foundation Design and Analysis (Poles & Towers)
- Guys and Anchors
- High Temperature (200°C) Conductor Design
- Insulator Assemblies
- Line Optimization
- Material Specifications
- Plan and Profile Development
- Procurement Documents
- Sag and Tension Data
- Structure Design & Analysis
- Structure Grounding Design
- Structure Load/Clearance Diagrams (Poles & Towers)
- Structure Spotting
- Supporting Hardware Selection
- Swing Clearance Calculations
- Temporary Transmission Designs
- Transmission System Modeling
Underground Transmission
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:
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:
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:
REALTY SERVICES
Mesa has a highly qualified and experienced staff to supply cutting edge technology and provide the following services related to acquisition of real property and right-of-way for transmission lines, substations, and related projects:
Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)
The use of UAS provides numerous advantages over traditional methods, including cost, safety, and improved quality. Applications include:
- Inspections
- Storm Response Assessment
- Surveying
- Thermal Imaging for Predictive Maintenance
- Vegetation Assessment
