CASE STUDY

The Challenge

Christopher McCarte is a GIS technician for Energy Assets Networks, responsible for all of the digitisation of their gas and electric asset records, feeding both into Energy Asset’s NUAR and Vault (The Scottish Roadworks Register). As an independent Gas Transporter, Energy Assets Networks is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of its extensive underground infrastructure, ensuring a reliable service across the UK. Managing such a widespread network requires precise and efficient GIS tools to monitor and protect their assets effectively.

“In the very beginning, we reached out to MGISS due to NUAR,” Chris tells us. “It was clear early on that they were going down the avenue of national-level legislation.

We wanted to get ahead of the curve, and reached out to MGISS to invest in GNSS and build up our asset register. We’d had business with someone else but then, when it came to it, it just simply wasn’t where we needed to be, and we’d been let down. Someone in NUAR suggested MGISS, and we took them up on their advice!”

NUAR, the National Underground Asset Register, is a government initiative aimed at creating a unified, digital map of underground infrastructure to improve safety and efficiency. The upcoming legislation mandates that organisations like Energy Assets Networks contribute accurate data to the platform, pushing for reliable systems to manage and share their asset information.

The NUAR legislation is pivotal for organisations like Energy Assets Networks and the broader GIS industry. By mandating the sharing of underground infrastructure data, it ensures more safety for workers, less disruption to the public and businesses and a reduction in accidental utility strikes, while promoting efficient project planning. However, this requirement presents challenges, such as the need for accurate data collection, integration of diverse data formats, and ensuring data security.

For Energy Assets Networks, and the rest of the industry, complying with NUAR necessitates updating asset records and investing in advanced GIS solutions to meet the new standards.

The Solution

The need for more precise, field-ready tools quickly became evident to Chris and the team. “The challenges of trying to maintain our assets and keep them safe are definitely at the forefront. We’d already been a part of the Symology service, but I don’t think it was actually until we got the kit from MGISS that we started to upload live data.”

To meet this need in time for the NUAR deadline, Energy Assets Networks invested in a Leica FLX100 Plus. Recommended by MGISS for its high accuracy and suitability for utility mapping, the FLX100 Plus has allowed them to capture precise geospatial data in real-time, bridging the gap between their existing GIS framework and the demands of field operations.

The Results

“It’s been very straightforward using the kit. We’ve been using the GIS spec that we were given – that’s been a staple for all of our asset capture and digitisation of anything pre-existing – but for the in-field stuff we’re really hoping to refocus on that this year, which is where the FLX100 Plus comes in.”

“It’s essential because of the size of our network,” Chris explains. “So, I think that in the immediate future, the focus is the maintenance of both our gas and electric and to keep up with the scope increase of our networks, and if we eventually go into other sectors, as well.”

Managing growing networks and preparing for future expansion is a key priority for any organisation in the ever-evolving landscape of this industry. With a focus on innovation and scaling with need, MGISS work hard to allow clients to make informed decisions on the right systems for the right environments.

“Liaising with the team at MGISS was so helpful,” Chris comments. “Gareth took us through what we would need, sharing necessary information to make sure we got the right product, tailored and developed to spec. Gareth travelled to us a couple of times to do the infield training, going through the kit so that I then felt in a confident position to do the same for others in my team.”

“It’s certainly been a lot better and a lot easier to get to grips and to get things up and running,” Chris continues. “And then it becomes part of your day-to-day routine so that it’s easy to get into a good flow.

There was also the use of the GIS spec that we’ve taken as our bases for both NUAR and Symology for uploading our files, so it’s certainly been helpful in regard to standardising how we capture our assets and through the digitisation process.”

By aligning with MGISS, Energy Assets Networks has achieved its aim of getting ahead of the curve of the new era in asset management. With the right tools, training, and expertise, they’re able to meet not only the demands of current legislation but also set themselves up for continued success and expansion, positioning themselves to lead the way in an increasingly digital and data-driven future.

“Overall, the solution from MGISS has made a tangible difference to Energy Assets Networks and myself,” Chris concludes, “from knowing what’s required to how to get there and get across that finish line. Even before the NUAR legislation was announced, we already knew that we would want to take the step toward some kind of in the field asset recording, of which we know that MGISS are at the forefront. So, the decision was easy.”