Innovating in underground infrastructure

Various grid managers, water boards, governments and large infrastructure contractors have relied on the expertise of Siers Infraconsult for many years for the engineering, construction and management of energy, water and telecom networks. Director Jochen Tulp talks about the service provider's broad and innovative work package in a generally quite traditional sector.

With over 130 employees, Siers Infraconsult is active in engineering, the acquisition of measurement data from underground networks and the processing of that data. In addition, the work package includes surveying work, 3D laser scanning, gas leak detection, inspections and improving (geo)data quality. "We are skilled in every area of the underground infra work field," says Tulp. "We have all those specialties under one roof. We are part of the Siers Group, a large contracting company with over 600 employees. The expertise we 'gain' outside we naturally also take into engineering and data processing."

Engineering and work preparation

Tulp gives some examples. "Our engineering department contributes from sketch design to final design for the underground networks of a large number of energy, water and telecom companies. In doing so, we perform every conceivable task, from tracing, impact analyses, soil surveys, permits to final design. Our work preparation specialists turn the final design into an implementation design, tailored to the often unique and proprietary preparation processes of network operators. This includes checking material lists, for example, or preparing the working budget."

With over 130 employees, Siers Infraconsult is active in engineering, the acquisition of measurement data from underground grids and the processing of that data.

Gas leak detection

The surveying and data revision division takes care of surveying the underground networks constructed by Siers. Tulp: "We process and edit this information into useful information for the network operator's GIS system. We are also involved in geodesy, such as the surveying of terrains, i.e. everything to do with precision measurement in the field. Asset registration for a number of large network operators is a pillar of our activities, where we process and analyze all kinds of data so that the data in the network operator's GIS system has integrity. Relatively unique is our service around gas leak detection. Gas leak locator is a special profession," says Tulp. "The gas leak finder detects gas leaks so that the grid operator is enabled to remedy these disruptions."

High quality

For the past year, Siers Infraconsult has also had a 3D scanner for scanning objects and locations. "The available data is not always sufficient for modeling," Tulp knows. "Precisely from those objects we can acquire point clouds and create models. For example, for a baseline measurement, so that we can demonstrably return the area to its original state after the work is completed. Or for modeling pipes in the congested subsurface. Finally, we use ground radar to map the location of underground networks in an environmentally friendly way, namely without digging trial trenches. Using the latest techniques such as robotization and artificial intelligence, we as network experts are constantly working to ensure higher quality."