Utilities Infrastructure Engineering

Reliable Engineering Support for Utility Infrastructure

At ECS we know that without utilities such as power plants, wastewater facilities, telecommunication towers and power grids, business comes to a standstill. We understand how to address the complex project requirements involved with upgrading, expanding or building these essential systems — whether it’s transmission and distribution, demolition, nuclear, hydro, fossil or renewable energy. With our responsive service and a thorough understanding of safety, regulatory and reporting requirements ECS provides consulting engineering services required by utility clients to help keep their projects moving forward on time and within budget.

Services We Provide

Our service solutions are tailored to support the development and upgrading of utility infrastructure. These services all contribute to the reliability and sustainability of utility projects:

  • Geotechnical services for utility infrastructure: Before construction, materials evaluation or design starts, a range of assessments need to be completed. These will allow our team to get full insight into what your site offers, what features need to be protected and how stable the area is for infrastructure. Our professionals will do a full evaluation of the soil and rock to determine the best utility placement. We will identify risks and resolve them where possible. 
  • Construction materials testing for utility projects: We offer personalized construction materials testing services to help your project adhere to code compliance. We can conduct testing for large structures as well as their components, like fuel, stormwater and energy systems.
  • Environmental services for utilities: We do comprehensive environmental assessments throughout the different stages of a project. In the planning stage, we focus on the environment itself and the influence the project will have on it. During design, we look at underground and above-ground storage tanks, remediation and landfill support, amongst other items. We then assess air quality and excavation support during construction. During the operations and maintenance phase, we perform monitoring and offer services as needed. Each project might not require every assessment, which is why we create unique proposals for all projects. 
  • Facilities consulting for utility projects: With this service, we provide facilities consulting with compliance surveys and assist with certifications and inspections. During the design phase, we offer various reviews and perform tasks like building envelope commissioning. Toward the end of the project, we test for air leakages and quality assurance and see that everything is up to code.

Our Approach to Utilities Projects

Our approach is a holistic methodology. We look at a project’s needs and goals for the long-term operation. Each building or utility has current requirements it must meet, but we want to ensure it is also flexible enough to meet the needs of future standards as well. Our process includes:

  • Due diligence/planning: We perform many site assessments in the beginning. By completing this foundational step, we can identify opportunities and challenges for the project. It is best to determine these as early as possible so we can work to resolve any issues before any construction happens. The more assessments are done, the more successful the project can be later. 
  • Design: If there is existing utility infrastructure, we need to integrate it into the design phase for the new structure. If there is not, then we need to look at minimizing the new structure’s environmental impact. For example, can we incorporate renewable energy sources? What about the area will change moving forward, and how can we implement sustainable engineering practices for efficiency and environmental preservation? 
  • Construction: We support the construction phase by implementing quality assessments throughout the different project stages. Our team oversees each component to ensure every stage of construction meets the applicable specifications and industry standards. Safety measures and environmental considerations also need to be met.
  • Operations and maintenance: Each project has a life cycle, and the end is just as important as the beginning. We will continue to provide support and monitoring as needed for the surrounding environment and the utility project itself. 
power-plants

A Few We’ve Worked On

  • Landry T-Mobile Antenna site, Belle Chasse, LA
  • Dickerson Generating Station, Dickerson, MD
  • Oconee Nuclear Plant, Seneca, SC
  • Caroline County Wastewater Treatment Plant, VA
  • Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility, Gwinnett County, GA

Did You Know…

  • We file permit applications for state, local and federal agencies and help secure necessary agency approvals
  • Our project teams consider existing site conditions, subsurface soils and rock, design requirements, construction specifications and schedule demands
  • ECS is trained and prepared to provide GPR services for transmission line installation which allows the utility company to plan for rock removal before it slows the process

A Few We’ve Worked On

  • Landry T-Mobile Antenna site, Belle Chasse, LA
  • Dickerson Generating Station, Dickerson, MD
  • Oconee Nuclear Plant, Seneca, SC
  • Caroline County Wastewater Treatment Plant, VA
  • Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility, Gwinnett County, GA

Did You Know…

  • We file permit applications for state, local and federal agencies and help secure necessary agency approvals
  • Our project teams consider existing site conditions, subsurface soils and rock, design requirements, construction specifications and schedule demands
  • ECS is trained and prepared to provide GPR services for transmission line installation which allows the utility company to plan for rock removal before it slows the process
powerplants

Where we can help

powerplants
  • Power plants
  • Associated power structures
  • Power grids
  • Wastewater
  • Telecommunications
  • Substations
  • Transmission lines

Where we can help

  • Power plants
  • Associated power structures
  • Power grids
  • Wastewater
  • Telecommunications
  • Substations
  • Transmission lines
powerplants

Our Geographic Range

We have established firms and offices in the U.S. from coast to coast. By having these firms in each location, we can offer localized insight into projects and a wealth of experience, expertise and resources specific to the region. Our nationwide presence enables us to provide clients with specific and effective solutions, regardless of their location. Reach out to an ECS firm that is closest to you to take advantage of this localized benefit. 

Where We Can Help

We have positioned ourselves across the U.S. to deliver transformative solutions within various sectors. Our services meet the complex demands of modern infrastructures, including:

  • Power plants: We offer engineering and consulting services for the development and modernization of power plants. We can assist you with renewable energy sources or more traditional fossil fuel options and see that your power plant complies with various regulations. Our team will support you through the phases and assist in reducing environmental impact and enhancing efficiency. 
  • Associated power structures: Part of power generation is creating the associated power structure. We put our focus on creating a design that is resilient and sustainable. Chat with us about your cooling towers, chimneys and ancillary buildings. 
  • Power grids: Electricity distribution has to be reliable and work toward creating a smart grid solution, including reduced losses and capacity planning. Previous or current infrastructure also needs to be considered alongside the implementation of newer technologies for stability. We can offer you support with all of it. 
  • Wastewater: Our wastewater management approach prioritizes environmental protection and resource efficiency. We look at the entire wastewater treatment process and aim to ensure that every step is in compliance with the applicable standards and that the system can fulfill its community objectives. 
  • Telecommunications: Telecommunications has changed drastically in the last decade. Newer technology and infrastructure is available now to support high-speed connection. If you are looking to construct towers, fiber optic networks or data centers, reach out to us. We will help you create a robust and scalable result that can adapt to further changes in the future.
  • Substations: Substations must be safe and flexible to meet the growing demand for communication across industries. Our services cover site selection, design, equipment specification and integration within the existing power grid. 
  • Transmission lines: We address the engineering challenges associated with transmission line projects, including route selection, structural design and the assessments involved. 

How to Get Started With ECS

The first step in starting with ECS is to make the initial contact. You can do this by searching for the office nearest to you and contacting them directly or filling out our online request form. We will ask you several questions, such as what type of project you have and the various details involved. We will schedule a consultation with you and organize an initial site inspection if needed. From there, we create a personalized proposal including your objectives, our services, cost estimates and timelines.

If you are ready to begin your utilities project with us, contact us today.