Case Studies:

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)

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SMUD asked Maraizon International to build a three-dimensional simulation of the proposed Iowa Hill Pumped Storage Facility in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. Visibility of the upper reservoir berm was an important issue with homeowners living across the South Fork American River canyon.

To this end, Maraizon developed a real-time game engine and a comprehensive 3D computer model of a 36-square mile area around the project, including 2.5-3 million trees. This solution allows users to move anywhere within the simulated area, and view the project from any vantage point. The engine also includes features to toggle trees off or on within a radius of 500-1,000 feet to simulate tree removal on offsite properties. Another feature in the simulation allows switching between different materials and colors, as well as surface features on the project.

To help educate the public on the uses and benefits of this pumped storage project, Maraizon also developed a descriptive animation for distribution on DVD and display at a visitor center kiosk. This animation shows the path of power from wind farms and power stations at night to the facility, and on to the City of Sacramento for use at times of peak demand.

David Hanson, Project Manager Hydro Relicensing remarked:

John, thanks very much for the simulation. Your team quickly grasped the issues and created an innovative simulation of stunning accuracy. Most people thought the simulation was a video clip from a real helicopter flying over the landscape. The special features you added were extremely creative, and helped immensely in presenting the project to local landowners.