Context
Transmission line routing and tower placement for new or expanded networks is a manual, time-intensive process requiring multidisciplinary analysis of terrain, environmental constraints, land use regulations, and construction costs.
Challenge
Traditional approaches are slow, error-prone, and do not scale well for large greenfield or expansion projects. The challenge is to optimise routes and placements efficiently while balancing cost, compliance, and environmental factors.
AI Solution
The solution (SmartDesign) integrates a span-aware A* graph router and a GPU-accelerated Differential Evolution algorithm, guided by an AI-driven closed-loop feedback cycle. Satellite imagery and geospatial data are processed to identify terrain profiles and constraints. An AI model evaluates candidate routes and tower placements, recommends parameter adjustments, and iterates to refine the design.
Impact & evidence
Pilot results include elimination of eight suspension structures on an 80 km, 230 kV line, reducing civil and material costs. Achieved gains include mechanical optimisation of 5-25%, electrical optimisation of 2-10%, routing optimisation of 5-10%, right-of-way optimisation of 1-5%, and combined total cost savings of 5-15%. Route planning time is targeted to be reduced by more than 50% compared to manual processes.
Implementation / Adoption
Implementation requires access to high-resolution satellite imagery, geospatial databases, GIS infrastructure, and an engineering team familiar with transmission line design standards. Deployment involves data ingestion, model configuration, and integration with client GIS tools, typically completed within 4-8 weeks for implementation and 2-4 weeks for deployment.
Data
Required data includes georeferenced satellite imagery, digital elevation model data, regulatory shapefiles, land use maps, environmental constraints, and engineering parameters. Data cleansing and augmentation were necessary.
Future enhancements
Planned enhancements include integration of LiDAR data for higher-precision terrain modelling, expansion to distribution network planning, real-time satellite update pipeline for environmental change detection, API integration with SCADA and asset management platforms, and extension to additional geographies in Latin America and Europe.
