Bentley Systems Unveils OpenUtilities Substation+ to Fix Fragmented Grid Design          

Bentley Systems has launched OpenUtilities Substation+, an AI-supported 3D design software designed to eliminate fragmented utility data. By unifying isolated civil, electrical, and structural information into a single standards-aligned model, the platform fixes the data gaps that stall automation and derail digital twin initiatives.

By consolidating these distinct disciplines into a single architecture, the software delivers key operational benefits across the asset lifecycle. It accelerates project delivery through a GitHub-like concurrent engineering workflow that allows multiple teams to work on the same project simultaneously through independent branches, entirely replacing slow, serial design methods.

Furthermore, the software utilizes automated merge gates and cross-layer contracts to provide automated conflict detection, meaning an update in the civil infrastructure instantly flags relevant electrical or protection equipment for review, preventing silent design errors. This shift from project-centric to asset-centric data structures enables a real-time data flow between engineering and operations, resulting in trustworthy digital twins that can be relied upon long-term.

Finally, the platform ensures AI and cloud readiness by organizing complex data into an accessible knowledge graph backed by the Bentley Infrastructure Cloud, simplifying data access for design tools, human operators, and AI-assisted workflows.

Ultimately, OpenUtilities Substation+ eliminates the need for costly, bespoke integrations, allowing utilities to scale engineering automation safely from initial design through asset management. Bentley Systems is currently accepting applications for early access to the platform.

Apply for early access to Substation+

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