Customer

Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Location

Texas

Project Value

Estimated $100,000

Delivering Redundant Underground Distribution Design for the Freedom at Anthem Subdivision

The Challenge

PEC’s development partner needed electrical distribution design for the new Freedom at Anthem subdivision, but faced delays due to the lack of redundancy in the system’s initial layout. Without a backfeed to enable power rerouting during outages, the design could not be approved by PEC. Key issues included:
  • Missing easements needed to complete a reliable loop design.
  • Complex routing through surrounding neighborhoods, narrow easements, and vegetated areas.
  • Varying infrastructure timelines, including water facility lift stations and long-lead protective equipment.
  • The need for continuous equipment access for bucket trucks, even across private property.
PEC turned to LTSI to deliver a full-scope solution that included design, easement coordination, inspection, GIS updates, and project oversight.

The Solution

LTSI delivered a solution that addressed both the technical and logistical needs of the subdivision and its supporting backfeed:
  • Easement Research & Acquisition: Verified existing easements and worked with surrounding landowners—including Mountain City—to acquire new ones.
  • Minimal Footprint, Maximum Compliance: Designed the underground backfeed to meet construction and safety standards while minimizing environmental and property impact.
  • Access-Focused Design: Collaborated with landowners to install access gates across divided fields, ensuring future maintainability of PEC’s facilities.
  • Sectionalized Power Design: Due to equipment procurement delays, LTSI split the subdivision into sections to energize key infrastructure first and allow early construction and home sales.
  • Looped System Planning: Incorporated protective and redundant pathways in the power system to meet PEC’s standards, even when this required custom metes and bounds easements beyond the developer’s original scope.

Key Benefits

This project reflects LTSI’s deep utility design experience and proactive project management approach. By anticipating easement needs, balancing fast-moving construction timelines, and ensuring access and redundancy, LTSI delivered a comprehensive solution that kept the Freedom at Anthem development on track and within PEC’s standards.

The Results

  • Approved Design: Delivered a fully looped, backfeed-supported layout that passed PEC’s approval criteria.
  • Faster Equipment Procurement: Provided initial designs quickly so PEC could order protective gear in time for construction.
  • Sectionalized Project Phasing: Enabled phased energization, allowing development and sales to begin while other sections were still being finalized.
  • Easement & Access Resolution: Ensured legal access and physical bucket truck entry points through complex property divisions.
  • On-Time, On-Budget Completion: Met project goals and deadlines without overruns.

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