Across Arizona and the greater Southwest, electrification is no longer a concept—it’s an active shift reshaping how cities plan, utilities operate, and communities grow. As more municipalities commit to net-zero goals and adopt EV infrastructure, the demand for sustainable, standards-based utility engineering has never been higher.
For over 35 years, ARUSI, a Verified Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) based in Phoenix, has helped utilities modernize their networks for a cleaner, more resilient future. From transmission line upgrades to underground distribution and EV-ready infrastructure, ARUSI’s engineers are enabling the Southwest’s transition to sustainable power—one circuit at a time.
Electrification Momentum in Arizona
- Arizona ranks among the top 10 states for EV growth, with registrations increasing by nearly 80% between 2021 and 2024.
- The Arizona Corporation Commission has adopted statewide energy efficiency targets requiring utilities to cut carbon emissions 50% by 2032.
- SRP and APS are investing in grid modernization and charging corridors to support projected EV adoption of 1 million vehicles by 2035.
These initiatives create enormous design demand: relocating aging overhead lines, expanding sub-transmission capacity, and coordinating underground duct banks to support distributed energy resources and charging networks.
That’s where ARUSI’s expertise comes in.
From Design to Electrification: ARUSI’s Sustainable Approach
ARUSI’s multidisciplinary team—civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers—provides end-to-end services that directly support sustainable infrastructure programs.
1. Transmission and Distribution Design for a Decarbonized Grid
ARUSI designs and models 69 kV to 500 kV transmission systems across Arizona, integrating new renewable feeds and load centers into existing right-of-way corridors. Using PLS-CADD, O-Calc, and MFAD foundation modeling, the team ensures that line upgrades and pole replacements are structurally optimized while minimizing environmental impact.
For distribution systems, ARUSI engineers underground conversions and duct bank designs that support electrification programs, EV fleet depots, and battery storage facilities. By applying utility-specific standards from SRP and APS, ARUSI maintains compliance and constructability from design to as-built.
2. Utility Relocations for Smart City Projects
Sustainable infrastructure often begins with relocation. As cities in Maricopa County and beyond expand light rail, broadband, and roadway projects, utilities must be moved safely and efficiently. ARUSI manages full-cycle utility relocation design, coordinating civil, electrical, and telecom assets within constrained corridors while protecting service reliability.
Each relocation is modeled digitally in AutoCAD Civil 3D or MicroStation V8, allowing stakeholders to visualize the “before and after” network footprint—reducing field conflicts and rework.
3. Electrification and EV Infrastructure Design
ARUSI’s power engineers design distribution circuits that accommodate EV charging networks, renewable interconnections, and future load growth. Through close collaboration with municipalities and utilities, the firm provides feeder upgrades, load studies, and transformer sizing to ensure charging capacity aligns with community development.
Recent ARUSI designs have supported urban fleet electrification programs and utility-owned charging depots in central and southern Arizona, proving that sustainability can coexist with reliability and cost control.
Engineering Sustainability Through Precision Data
Every sustainable project begins with accurate ground truth. ARUSI’s in-house Registered Land Surveyor (RLS) team supports electrification projects through:
- GNSS Dual Differential RTK GPS Systems for centimeter-level positional accuracy
- Civil 3D and QGIS for integrating survey data into utility base maps
- As-built surveys verifying construction against design
- Elevation certificates supporting flood-plain and resilience planning
This integration of survey-to-design workflows minimizes design revisions, shortens permitting timelines, and ensures that sustainable projects are built right—the first time.
Tools That Drive Smart Design
Sustainability is also about efficiency. ARUSI leverages a comprehensive suite of digital tools to reduce drafting time, improve accuracy, and integrate client feedback seamlessly:
- PLS-CADD / PLS-Pole: 3D structural modeling for transmission lines
- O-Calc: Pole-loading analysis for retrofit and replacement scenarios
- MicroStation V8 & AutoCAD Civil 3D: Utility plan/profile drafting and documentation
- Maximo / CUE / COP PIMS: Utility asset management integration
- Field Smart (SWG): Real-time field data capture for QA/QC
By maintaining compatibility with SRP, APS, and ADOT standards, ARUSI eliminates re-formatting delays and delivers consistent, construction-ready packages.
Local Expertise. Regional Impact.
Headquartered in Phoenix, ARUSI manages hundreds of Utility Design projects annually, designing 600 + miles of electrical and transmission lines and 235 + miles of fiber optic infrastructure throughout the Southwestern U.S..
This regional presence provides direct benefits:
- Rapid mobilization for time-sensitive field assessments
- Established permitting relationships with city, state, and tribal agencies
- Familiarity with local soil, climate, and clearance conditions
- Veteran-led project management rooted in discipline and accountability
When combined, these factors enable ARUSI to deliver sustainable infrastructure that is practical, code-compliant, and adaptable to regional growth.
Case in Point: Electrification for Growth Corridors
In the Phoenix metropolitan area, ARUSI has supported multiple overhead-to-underground conversions tied to roadway widening and EV-ready development zones. The designs incorporated duct banks, transformer pads, and future conduit runs for planned charging networks—saving utilities the cost of re-digging as electrification expands.
Each design adhered to APS and SRP construction standards, ensuring seamless integration with existing networks and long-term maintainability.
Why ARUSI?
| Advantage | What It Means for Clients |
| Veteran-Owned Discipline | Mission-driven leadership focused on accountability and safety |
| 35 + Years of Utility Design Engineering Experience | Proven track record across power, telecom, and civil projects |
| Certified VOSB, DBE, SBE | Meets federal and state participation goals for public contracts |
| Integrated Survey + Design + Permitting | Reduced rework and faster project delivery |
| Local Expertise with Regional Reach | Deep understanding of SRP/APS standards and Southwest terrain |
Looking Ahead: Building the Electrified Future
The path toward sustainability isn’t built overnight—it’s designed with precision, foresight, and local expertise. As Arizona cities pursue net-zero commitments and expand renewable energy programs, ARUSI stands ready to engineer the backbone of that transition: safe, efficient, and future-ready power infrastructure.
From PLS-CADD modeling to final as-built validation, every ARUSI project reflects the same principle that has guided the company since 1987: think like the client, build like the field, and design for tomorrow.
Ready to modernize your grid for a cleaner future?
Contact ARUSI’s Phoenix engineering team to discuss electrification, utility relocation, or EV-ready design.
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