APD Global Engineeringās Digital Substation Design for Perthās Power Upgrade
Organization: APD Global Engineering
Project Name: PTA Sutherland St. Load Upgrade ā Digital Substation Design and Infrastructure Modernization
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Project Phase: Ongoing construction with digital engineering implementation
Expected Completion Date: February 2026
Estimated Project Cost: AUD 50 million
Bentley Software: MicroStation, OpenUtilities Substation, iTwin Capture, Bentley Descartes, Bentley LumenRT, ProjectWise, Promis.e
Additional Context: APD Global Engineering is modernizing Perthās rail power infrastructure by constructing a new 132-kilovolt substation and upgrading an existing one. Bentleyās integrated design and digital twin solutions improved delivery speed by 15%, saved 20,000 work hours, reduced material waste by up to 2%, and enabled real-time cross-discipline collaboration.
Project
In Perth, Western Australia, the PTA Sutherland St. Load Upgrade project is helping modernize the cityās electrical infrastructure to support its growing public transport system. Led by APD Global Engineering, the project includes constructing a new, 132-kilovolt switching substation at Bunning Lake and upgrading the existing Sutherland Street substation. These substations are critical for distributing high-voltage electricity to trains and other transit systems. The scope of work covers primary and secondary electrical design, relay room layouts, and integration with civil and structural components. With a budget of AUD 50 million and a completion target of February 2026, the project is currently in the construction phase. APD Global uses Bentley software to coordinate across disciplines, reduce design errors, and ensure compliance with safety and performance standards. This initiative is a key part of Perthās strategy to build a more resilient and efficient energy network.
Facts
- AUD 50 million project to build a new, 132-kilovolt switching substation and upgrade an existing one
- 15% faster delivery through automated design workflows
- 20,000 hours saved by reducing site visits and manual reporting
- 1% to 2% less material waste via clash detection and design optimization
- Real-time models improved cross-discipline coordination
āUtilizing Bentley software on the PTA Sutherland St. Load Upgrade project significantly enhanced our efficiency and accuracy. The integration of Bentley's advanced tools enabled seamless collaboration, precise design, and effective communication, ultimately leading to a successful project outcome. The environmental benefits and cost savings achieved underscore the value of Bentley's solutions in delivering sustainable and high-quality engineering projects.
Solution
To overcome the challenges of fragmented workflows, limited visualization, and inefficient collaboration, APD Global Engineering adopted Bentleyās suite of integrated digital tools for the project. The team used MicroStation for detailed design and drafting, ensuring precision and compliance with engineering standards. OpenUtilities Substation supported utility network design and visualization, streamlining the planning of complex electrical systems.
iTwin Capture was deployed to gather high-resolution reality data, enabling the creation of accurate 3D models that reflected existing site conditions. This data was processed using Bentley Descartes, which allowed for advanced point cloud modeling and seamless integration into design workflows. These tools helped align civil and structural elements with electrical infrastructure, reducing errors and improving coordination.
Bentley LumenRT helped create digital twins with immersive real-time visualization, making it easier to communicate project scope and progress to stakeholders. This enhanced understanding and alignment across teams. The use of ProjectWise ensured a single source of truth, facilitating real-time updates and collaborative reviews.
Together, these tools enabled automatic report generation, reduced manual errors, and minimized site visitsāsaving an estimated 20,000 work hours. The digital-first approach improved efficiency, reduced material waste, and delivered a high-quality design that met all stakeholder expectations.
Outcome
The adoption of Bentley technology led to a 15% reduction in both design time and overall project completion time, translating into significant cost savings. Material waste was reduced by 1% to 2% through clash detection and optimized design. The projectās digital workflows improved collaboration across disciplines and minimized risks of delays and rework. Enhanced visualization and reality modeling ensured accurate alignment with existing infrastructure, while reduced travel and site visits contributed to a lower carbon footprint. Ultimately, the project delivered resilient and sustainable power infrastructure that supports Perthās growing public transport needs and improves quality of life for its residents.
Software
Bentley software helped APD Global Engineering streamline design, improve coordination, and visualize the project in 3D. These capabilities led to faster delivery, reduced waste, and stronger stakeholder alignment. The software included:
- Bentley Descartes
- Bentley LumenRT
- iTwin Capture
- MicroStation
- OpenUtilities Substation
- ProjectWise
- Promis.e
Ready to transform your next power project? Explore how Bentley’s substation design and digital twin solutions can streamline your workflow and cut costsĀ āÆ.
Bentley Year in Infrastructure (YII) and the Going Digital Awards is an annual event where global industry leaders come together to showcase infrastructure delivery and performance excellence and exchange visionary ideas for the future. Find out more on the YII site.
