Development of overhead line design system based on mapping system at KEPCO

Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. (KEPCO) has used a great number of distribution line maps, onto which distribution-related facility work, including locations of pores and electric lines,,are put and used for overall distribution work (e.g. distribution line design, facility maintenance/operation). All of these maps used to be handled and managed manually. An increase in the number of distribution work cases requested by customers creates complex and strenuous labor in managing related maps, resulting in difficulties in maintaining accurate procedures and exact judgment. Given these circumstances, KEPCO initially developed a mapping system to address efficient facility management by means of converting 20,000 general geographic maps of the Kyushu area and 50,000 distribution line maps which we possess to electronic data, and making use of them at all of our 85 offices since 1996. As the next step, an overhead Line design system was developed by fully making use of the existing mapping system. This new system features the automatic drafting of design drawings (i.e. plans and pole structure framing), the automatic estimation of materials and construction costs based on the drawings, the automatic updating of distribution line maps after work completion. Introducing the overhead line design system facilitates the further sophistication of the entire distribution work procedure, results in labor savings and upgraded facility management accuracy. The system outline is as follows.