Transforming Power Distribution: COPEL's Journey to a Digital Future
In the heart of Brazil’s Paraná state, a quiet revolution is taking place. COPEL Distribuição S.A., a company with a rich history dating back to 1954, is redefining how electrical substations are designed and built. This is the story of how COPEL embraced digital transformation to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
COPEL’s mission has always been clear: to provide energy and solutions for sustainable development. With over 200,000 kilometers of distribution networks and more than 5.1 million customers, the stakes are high. The company needed to modernize its approach to designing medium- and high-voltage power substations to keep up with growing demands and technological advancements.
An Ambitious Vision
COPEL aimed to switch from traditional 2D CAD software to a comprehensive building information modeling (BIM) environment. This transition promised to reduce rework, lower material costs, and enable more innovative projects. Jean Michell de Bona Mattos, a substation electromechanical designer at COPEL, emphasized the importance of this shift: “It also cuts waste, common in projects developed using simple CAD software, by developing projects using the BIM methodology.”
After careful consideration, COPEL chose Bentley applications to spearhead their digital transformation. The heart of this new digital solution was OpenUtilities Substation, the only tool on the market that fully integrates the physical and electrical design of substations. This integration was crucial for ensuring the reliability and safety of the designs.
With Bentley’s tools, COPEL’s design teams could now create detailed 3D models of new substations. These models allowed them to identify and resolve clashes and conflicts before construction began. The integration with ProjectWise further enhanced collaboration, enabling all project teams to access and update engineering documentation in real time.
Transformative Results
The team reduced development time for the mechanical elements of electrical substations by 50%, saving 225 work hours. For electrical elements, development time fell by 30%, saving 195 work hours. Overall, COPEL estimates annual savings of USD 630,000 in project execution alone.
Beyond the immediate savings, the digital designs have improved accuracy and sustainability. By cross-referencing information from civil, electrical, and electro-mechanical designs in real time, COPEL has minimized errors and unnecessary resource use. These enhancements not only make projects more efficient, but also contribute to a more sustainable future.
Daniel Pimentel Slaviero, CEO of COPEL, shared his thoughts on the transformation: “Our commitment to innovation and sustainability drives us to continuously improve our processes. The adoption of digital design tools not only enhances our efficiency, but also aligns with our mission to provide reliable and sustainable energy solutions for the people of Paraná.”
Digital Design Excellence
COPEL’s journey to a digital future is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration. By embracing cutting-edge technology and integrating processes, COPEL has achieved efficiency, accuracy, and safety in its substation design and construction. As they continue to develop and refine their digital environment, COPEL remains committed to their mission of providing sustainable energy solutions for the people of Paraná.
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