Case Study
A Rolling Survey Programme That Keeps a Major Transmission Network Resilient
The Client
National Grid – a major transmission utility operating in the USA and the UK. Responsible for delivering safe, resilient, and efficient electricity transmission across extensive high-voltage networks.
Summary
For two decades, NM Group has partnered with National Grid to deliver integrated LiDAR surveying and engineering services.
Providing continuously refreshed network data and engineering models that support asset management, compliance, emergency response, and long-term network planning across extensive transmission infrastructure.
This long-term collaboration demonstrates NM Group’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality geospatial and engineering services at scale while supporting evolving operational and regulatory requirements.
By combining LiDAR acquisition, engineering analysis, and specialist utility expertise, NM Group helps National Grid maintain accurate network intelligence for informed decision-making across the asset lifecycle.
Testimonial
“NM Group has provided LiDAR surveys and PLS-CADD line modelling for over a decade. During this time, they have delivered high-quality data and reporting that has been invaluable in delivering our core business objectives. Throughout our business relationship, they have demonstrated themselves to be a collaborative, utility-focused organisation, professional and excellent to work with.”
The Challenge
Operating one of the largest transmission networks in Europe requires accurate, up-to-date infrastructure information to support asset management, regulatory compliance, emergency response, and network planning.
Maintaining this visibility across a geographically extensive network can be challenging when engineering and asset data becomes outdated or inconsistent. National Grid required a trusted partner capable of delivering reliable geospatial and engineering data at scale, year after year.
The Solution
NM Group runs an ongoing programme of aerial LiDAR survey and PLS-CADD™ modelling across National Grid’s network – a continuous refresh cycle, not a single survey, so both the data and the models stay current as the network changes. High-resolution LiDAR capture feeds directly into engineering-grade PLS-CADD models built by NM Group’s utility engineering specialists.
The Results
Improved Asset Visibility
Asset teams see the real, current condition of the network instead of relying on aging survey data.
Enhanced Compliance
Regulatory reporting is backed by current, defensible engineering data rather than historical estimates.
Operational Readiness
Emergency response and outage teams work from a model that matches what’s actually in the field, when every hour of restoration time matters.
Long-Term Partnership
Two decades of continuity mean no re-onboarding a new provider or reconciling data from multiple sources.