Scottish Power energy networks (SPEN) contacted 3DW to partner with them on a new development they had been planning named Eastern Link. SPEN was looking for someone who could help communicate the plans in a more engaging way to stakeholders such as residents, businesses, landowners, wildlife organistations and heritage groups to address concerns with the project.
Carefully discussing the options with SPEN the decision was made to build a fully interactive 3D model that could help visualise the plans in a quick and easy way for all, this included the layout of the powerline and other vital information such as cable landing points, substation locations and the onshore cable route. Inside the 3D model were all the relevant terrain data, tree data, modelled key roads and high-quality local landmark buildings that help people recognise places much quicker inside the 3D environment.
The 3D model includes many key features such as the ability to swap between proposed sub-station locations, landscaping options proposed for the development, the ability to turn trees on and off to show how the visual mitigations work, a highly detailed flythrough of how the cable lands from offshore plus how this is distributed and delivered to the grid.
To support this important development 3DW decided to offer an engaging online virtual exhibition which was hosted and gave stakeholders the ability to access information for the project at their own leisure, the virtual exhibition contained 3D media where mapping information and constraint data is rendered into a 360° photosphere. The video and 360°photospheres enabled visitors to the platform to gain an understanding of the project which is accessible on their phone or computer.
As part of the overall consultation proposals, 3DW supported SPEN with their face-to-face consultation events where the 3D model presentation was delivered to interested stakeholders over a series of events in the local area for development. The feedback for the solution was very good, both 3DW and SPEN are delighted with the outcome.
