Sampol: Generating Clean Energy with Integrated Projects in the Cloud

Innovation and digitalization have been key in the business evolution of SAMPOL, a Spanish company that has been competitive for nine decades, able to adapt and anticipate technological advances and trends in applied engineering projects.

Betting on an inclusive digitalization: the cloud and BIM platforms

From the international expansion initiated in the 2000s, SAMPOL saw the need to transform its processes to take advantage of the benefits of the internet and specialized programs in the management of project documentation and communication.

Through the adoption of the Cloud as a repository of information and documentation, it was possible to assume a management focused on quality and not on routine and unproductive activities, in addition to promoting business growth thanks to the integration of all international delegations and production plants under the same environment, where distances or time differences do not matter to stay connected in real time.

To achieve this new approach, an implementation plan developed by the consulting and training company GRAITEC, Autodesk® Platinum Partner, was established, which included training on specific software, workflows and associated processes. Among the main areas are the implementation of a Common Data Environment, the standardization of documentation, compliance with ISO 19650 and the collection of data to evaluate the impact of implementation.

A trajectory of 89 years has made the multinational group SAMPOL a reference in the development and execution of applied engineering projects, with a strong focus on the energy sectors in the areas of industry, hotels or airport infrastructures.

A team of more than 1500 people distributed in 13 delegations in Spain, Italy, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Panama, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Aruba, Peru, Canada and Cape Verde is the guarantee of quality that is manifested behind the name SAMPOL. They have developed a know-how that allows them to tackle challenging, large-scale and complex projects, but which are committed to achieving high levels of efficiency and sustainability.

SAMPOL's five main business lines are energy, industry, hotels, airports and digitalization. In the field of energy, they stand out as one of the main competitors for the design, construction, assembly and commissioning of power generation plants, thermal plants and refrigeration plants, managing to cover all phases of the life cycle of the facilities, from preliminary studies to financing, bidding or maintenance and operation.

The role of software in SAMPOL's digital transformation

The Autodesk BIM Collaborate PRO platform establishes a virtual work centre in which all the disciplines involved in the development and management of SAMPOL projects converge. From the implementation of the Common Data Environment (CDE) a core of exchange is created between the programs used in each specialty (Structure, Electrical, Mechanical, among others) that allows a fluid exchange of data and eliminates information silos.

With the use of Autodesk DOCS it is possible to have full control of the technical documentation by viewing versions, revisions, users, permissions and remote accessibility, as well as managing 2D documents or 3D models. With Autodesk DOCS tools, data is accessible and editable by everyone according to the assignment of permissions and security, avoiding delays and errors.

For the elaboration of the projects, Plant 3D has been used, which facilitated the creation of models loaded with specifications of pipes, supports, product families, isometries and details. With RECAP software, models are created using cloud technology of existing installation points, which are then integrated with programs such as REVIT, Navisworks or Civil3D, saving time in obtaining prior documentation and increasing security for decision making. In addition, SAMPOL has implemented Graitec PowerPack to improve its performance and productivity.

The role of software in SAMPOL's digital transformation

The Autodesk BIM Collaborate PRO platform establishes a virtual work centre in which all the disciplines involved in the development and management of SAMPOL projects converge. From the implementation of the Common Data Environment (CDE) a core of exchange is created between the programs used in each specialty (Structure, Electrical, Mechanical, among others) that allows a fluid exchange of data and eliminates information silos.

With the use of Autodesk DOCS it is possible to have full control of the technical documentation by viewing versions, revisions, users, permissions and remote accessibility, as well as managing 2D documents or 3D models. With Autodesk DOCS tools, data is accessible and editable by everyone according to the assignment of permissions and security, avoiding delays and errors.

For the elaboration of the projects, Plant 3D has been used, which facilitated the creation of models loaded with specifications of pipes, supports, product families, isometries and details. With RECAP software, models are created using cloud technology of existing installation points, which are then integrated with programs such as REVIT, Navisworks or Civil3D, saving time in obtaining prior documentation and increasing security for decision making. In addition, SAMPOL has implemented Graitec PowerPack to improve its performance and productivity.

A Success Story: Cogeneration Plants for Puerto Rico's Pharmaceutical Industry

SAMPOL developed an innovative project for two cogeneration power plants under hybrid-renewable microgrid technology, which integrates photovoltaic solar technology, batteries and baseload cogeneration with a sustainable approach and with a capacity of 13.2MW. The facilities will produce high-efficiency energy, the excess heat will be used to produce steam and hot water, covering the thermal needs of factories and avoiding the use of fuel in traditional boilers.

The project will reduce emissions by 45% in reference to traditional plants and will avoid the generation of 21,500 tons of CO2 emissions per year. In addition, the design responds to an environment highly vulnerable to extreme natural events, therefore, its design allows it to work in isolation and to be resistant to interruptions in the overall network.

With the implementation of cloud workflow and BIM tools, the SAMPOL team was able to save 80% on paper printing, by facilitating the exchange and editing of documents on mobile devices. Time spent managing data, assignments and permissions has been reduced by 35%. With the CDE, federated models were created in which the different specialties were integrated, avoiding the loss of information, errors and rework.

The project summarizes the progress made by SAMPOL in its digital migration towards a development and management of digital projects in the cloud, with a sustainable and highly innovative approach.