The underground Savoy – Piedmont transmission link is aimed at boosting the capacity of electrical interconnections between France and Italy and improving the security of energy supply.
The particularity of this high-voltage interconnection project is that it is integrated underground into existing road infrastructures: mainly the A43 motorway to Modane, then the Frejus Road Tunnel and various roads to Turin.
High-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology was chosen by RTE, meaning a converter station needs to be built at each end of the link between the French and Italian networks.
The Project
Challenges
Project owner
RTE CNER SNILHP
Period
2014 – present
Challenge
Design constraints for a Class-4 building in Seismic Zone 4
Water law compliance for a planned embankment
Verification of the quality aspects proposed by consortiums on a project involving numerous interfaces at the design and construction phases
The design and the construction methods also needed to consider the operating constraints for mountain motorways.
The Assignment
The new converter station is situated next to the existing station, near Chambery.
Our work is focused on the following technical areas:
- Reinforced concrete and metallic structures;
- Earthworks, drainage and roads/networks linked to the platform;
Phase 1: assistance for the bid process
- review of the bid documents and recommendations for improvements,
- discussions with the consortiums to clarify requirements,
- analysis of the bids.
Phase 2: preparation of design test plans
Phase 3: auditing of designs and preparation of construction inspection and test plans
Phase 4: works supervision and auditing
Phase 5: assistance for works acceptance