CAD Design & Support

Precision drafting and 3D modeling services that bring energy projects to life.

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CAD Design & Support Services

Detailed Drawings, 3D Models, and Documentation for Solar, Wind, BESS, and Grid Projects

Comprehensive CAD Drafting

On Grid Engineering offers end-to-end CAD drafting solutions to support every phase of renewable energy and power system projects. Our experienced CAD team develops detailed, industry-compliant drawings that include:

  • Electrical schematics and single-line diagrams
  • Equipment layout plans for substations, solar arrays, and BESS enclosures
  • Conduit, cable tray, and cable routing diagrams
  • Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) for fluid systems in BESS cooling
  • Panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and termination schedules
  • As-built drawing updates and redlines during construction

3D Modeling & Visualization

Our 3D modeling services provide realistic visualizations and clash detection to ensure constructability and reduce costly field modifications:

  • 3D layouts for solar array racking structures, including terrain modeling and shading considerations
  • Wind turbine foundation and nacelle support structure modeling for accurate spatial coordination
  • Substation 3D models with equipment clearances, conduit pathways, and grounding grid representation
  • BESS skid and enclosure models with HVAC, fire suppression, and access walkway details
  • Clash detection using Navisworks or equivalent tools to identify conflicts between structural, electrical, and mechanical systems
  • Flythrough animations and renderings for stakeholder presentations and marketing collateral

Site Surveys & As-Built Verification

Accurate site data is essential for reliable CAD outputs. We provide field survey support and as-built verification services including:

  • Integration of LiDAR and drone survey data for topographical mapping and site feature extraction
  • Laser scanning (LiDAR) point cloud registration and modeling to generate accurate as-built 3D environments
  • Field verification of equipment placement, conduit locations, and cable tray installations
  • Updating existing CAD drawings with redline mark-ups and field measurements for renovation or expansion projects
  • Georeferencing CAD models to GIS coordinates for utility interconnection and spatial analysis

Detailing & Fabrication Drawings

Our detailed design support ensures all prefabricated components fit precisely and meet fabrication tolerances:

  • Sheet metal and enclosure fabrication drawings with bend, weld, and finish details
  • Steel structural detailing for racking supports, turbine foundations, and equipment skids
  • Bill of materials (BOM) generation, including part numbers, quantities, and material specifications
  • Shop drawings for prefabricated cable tray assemblies, conduit supports, and modular BESS components
  • Fabrication tolerancing, weld symbols, and surface finish callouts to industry standards (ASME, AWS)

Electrical One-Line and SLD Development

Single-line diagrams (SLDs) and one-line schematics are foundational documents for any electrical installation. We develop:

  • One-line schematics showing generation, distribution, protection, and control relationships
  • Load center diagrams with feeder labeling, breaker sizes, and conductor ratings
  • Protection and relay wiring diagrams, including CT/PT secondary wiring and trip circuit schematics
  • Interconnection schematics for renewable generation, BESS, and utility grid ties
  • legends, equipment codes, and symbology that comply with IEEE and NFPA standards

Panel & Control Room Layouts

Efficient layouts within control rooms and equipment shelters streamline construction and operation:

  • Console and cabinet arrangement drawings with 3D lifts to confirm spatial fit within prefabricated units
  • Panel front elevations showing breaker positions, indicator lights, and operator interface devices
  • Back-of-panel wiring diagrams and termination schedules for control wiring and power cabling
  • Control relay rack layouts with clearances, service aisles, and grounding point identification
  • Safety signage, label callouts, and equipment tag numbering consistent with client standards

Cable Routing & Conduit Schedules

Proper cable management is critical to maintain reliability and ease maintenance:

  • Plan and elevation views of conduit and cable tray routes, including access points and expansion loops
  • Conduit fill calculations and derating factors per NEC or IEC standards
  • Color-coded cable schedules identifying voltage levels, instrumentation, and communication lines
  • Labeling conventions and cable tray width determinations to allow for future expansions
  • Grounding conductor routing, bonding details, and ground grid interconnections

Instrumentation & Control (I&C) Drawings

Accurate instrumentation drawings ensure proper control system functionality:

  • Process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) for cooling water systems, HVAC, and BESS thermal management
  • Loop drawings for control valves, pressure transmitters, flow meters, and temperature sensors
  • SCADA integration diagrams showing RTU/PLC connections, network topology, and field instrumentation locations
  • I/O lists detailing signal types, wiring terminations, and controller addressing
  • Control interlock schematics and logic flow diagrams to illustrate operation sequences

GIS & Geospatial CAD Mapping

For utility and distribution projects, geospatial context is essential:

  • GIS-integrated CAD layers showing property lines, easements, and utility corridors
  • Overhead and underground distribution mapping with pole placements, transformer locations, and customer meters
  • Substation boundary and nearest point of interconnection (POI) identification within geographic coordinate systems
  • Utility Asset Management (UAM) data integration, linking CAD objects to asset databases and maintenance records
  • 3D terrain and feature modeling for accurate site assessments and infrastructure planning

Quality Assurance & CAD Standards

Maintaining consistency and accuracy across all deliverables is critical. Our QA process includes:

  • Enforcing CAD standards: layer naming, text sizes, annotation styles, and line weights per client CAD manual or ISO conventions
  • Revision control: Documenting changes via revision clouds, title block updates, and change logs
  • Peer review and redline cycles to identify and correct discrepancies before final release
  • Automated checking for coordinate accuracy, overlapping objects, and orphaned layers
  • Deliverable packaging: Generating PDFs, DWG files, and DWF for stakeholder review and archiving

CAD Training & Support

Empowering client teams to leverage CAD effectively, we offer:

  • Customized training sessions on AutoCAD, MicroStation, or Revit for electrical and structural applications
  • Template and drafting standard development to streamline future projects and maintain consistency
  • On-call CAD assistance: minor edits, template updates, and troubleshooting of drawing issues
  • Best practice guidelines for 3D modeling workflows, file management, and collaboration in multi-discipline environments
  • Periodic CAD audits to ensure ongoing adherence to standards and identify efficiency improvements

Deliverables & Documentation

Our final CAD packages include:

  • Full DWG file sets with all referenced external drawings and Xrefs
  • PDF bundles of plan sheets, isometrics, and detail drawings with bookmarks and hyperlinks for easy navigation
  • Digital 3D models compatible with Navisworks, BIM 360, or similar platforms for clash detection and visualization
  • Data-rich drawing packages linking CAD objects to BOMs, asset tags, and technical specifications
  • As-built revisions reflecting field changes, updated schematics, and final equipment placements

Case Studies & Success Stories

Our expertise in CAD Design & Support has enabled numerous successful projects:

  • Utility-Scale Solar Farm CAD Package: Created over 200 plan sheets, including array layouts, combiner one-lines, and interconnection substation details, enabling smooth procurement and construction phases.
  • Wind Turbine EPC CAD Support: Developed detailed foundation plans, tower erection drawings, and electrical collector system layouts for a 150 MW onshore wind project, reducing field RFIs by 30%.
  • BESS Installation Documentation: Delivered complete 3D models for a 100 MW/400 MWh BESS facility, including mechanical, electrical, and structural coordination, which facilitated rapid constructability reviews and prefabrication.
  • Substation Expansion CAD Delivery: Updated as-built drawings for a 500 kV substation, incorporating equipment upgrades, new protection panels, and relaying schemes, ensuring regulatory compliance and readiness for operations.