Central EngineeringDesign (Electrical) Engineering Process

Bertina ChanWeina Lin

Hsiao-Yun LuSankarbharathy Ponnusamy

Susu Wang

Overview

Company OverviewDesign Engineering

Design Engineering Process (DEP)Problems with Current ProcessRecommendationsConclusion

Company Overview

• One of the largest investor-owned, energy-delivery companies in US

• Annual revenue of $13 billion and total assets of $34 billion approximately

• It owns and operates the world’s largest district steam system

• Provides electricity and gas as well

Design Engineering

• Consists of Electrical Design, Mechanical Concept/3D Design, & Transmission/Civil Design

• Ensures safe, reliable design operation and maintenance of the system

• Provides design schematics of all Company electric, gas, and steam generating plants, electrical substations, and transmission and commercial facilities

Design Engineering Process(Electrical)

• Scope &Budget Oversee &Upgrade Project Scope of Work Works on the

project

• Match

Not match

Match

Not match

Top management

Engineering Department

EngineerElectrical Design

Scope review

Drawing layouts

As-built

Final package

Review & comments

Upgrade & Construct

Review &Field walk

Agreement

As-built

Problems with Current Process

Miscommunications

Schematics (Drawings) vs. Real Field Conditions

Human Resources – Age Gap within the Designers

Cause & Effect Diagram

• Identify the possible root causes, the basic reasons for a specific effect, problem or condition

• Helps determine root causes

• Increases process knowledge

• Identifies areas for collecting data

• Analyze existing problem

Cause & Effect Layout

Lag in project time

Miscommunication

Age gap

Bad field conditions

CAUSE EFFECT

Recommendations

• Miscommunication– Project Checkpoints strategically placed

within certain stages of the DEP.

• Schematics vs. Real Field Conditions– A full-time Designer at the station to upgrade

existing drawings to current field conditions– Current Designers assigned to on-going

projects will update drawings during construction

Recommendations (cont’d)

• Human Resources – Age Gap– Hire retirees to give seminars/classes to

incoming and present employees– Pair experienced designers with

inexperienced designers

Conclusion

If the necessary changes are implemented:

• Detailed training guide for new employees

• Duration of DEP would be decreased and run smoother.

• Department would spend less than $8 million on outside services