Aileen Giovanello
Integrating Environmental, Engineering and Constructability Considerations in Wind Power Development Aileen Giovanello Tetra Tech, Inc.
Wind Energy Services
Goals of the Presentation
Provide an overview of the wind generating facility development process Describe the inter-relation of environmental, engineering and constructability data on each phase of wind farm development
• Site Screening • Conceptual Design • Final Design • Permitting • Construction • Operations and Maintenance
Stress the importance of designing and permitting constructable and economic wind projects
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Integrated Approach to Tt Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Overview of the Development Process
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Site Selection/Screening and Critical Issues Analysis
Site Selection / Screening
• Two most basic questions: – Is the site windy? – Is the site near adequate “take away” transmission?
Critical Issues Analysis is a study that:
• Identifies conditions at the proposed project site • Identifies likely siting issues • Projects impacts on schedule/budget • Provides management strategies to reduce impacts on schedule/budget
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Common Critical Issues Analysis Omissions
Aviation Screening Telecommunications Screening Engineering/Constructability Issues
• Steep slopes • Unstable geotechnical conditions • Inadequate work space
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Conceptual Layout
Initial layout that includes turbine locations, access roads, electrical collection system, switchyard(s) and substation(s), transmission lines, O&M building, and construction work areas. Necessary for obtaining land rights, performing preliminary studies, beginning the regulatory process, etc. Typically the developer or the meteorological firm will take a first cut at the conceptual layout of turbines on a constraint map.
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Defining the Conceptual Layout
Preliminary Selection of Turbine Technology
• Important for turbine spacing • Important for defining setbacks
Define Project Constraints
• Wind • Land • Setbacks from Homes/Infrastructure • Engineering/Access • Environmental • Cultural • Political
Create Conceptual Layout
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Setbacks
Often setbacks are prescribed by-law.
When they are not prescribed by law, the developer needs to set them.
A good source for setbacks is the turbine manufacturer.
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Engineering Tasks for Conceptual Layout
Perform desktop study to evaluate subsurface conditions and geologic hazards
Desktop Transportation Analysis
Initial Road/collection system Layout
Initial Constructability review
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Moving from the Conceptual Layout to the Final Layout
Wind projects have a lot of moving parts: wind resource, property, landowner preferences, setbacks, environmental constraints, cultural resources, engineering constraints, transportation issues, constructability, etc. influence where project facilities will be sited
There must be communication among team members and impact on layout must be understood and incorporated
The best team includes a meteorologist, a land man, an environmental scientist, an engineer, a constructability expert, and a lawyer
Data management with multiple team members can be a challenge Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
What is the Final Horizontal Layout?
This layout depicts all project facilities for permitting and land acquisition purposes In many cases, permits must be obtained for exactly what will be built, so a certain amount of engineering must be done at an early stage In a perfect world, micrositing occurs prior to submitting major permit applications and conducting NEPA (or state equivalent) review
• Failure to do so often means the need to do permit modifications, supplemental EISs, and/or variances during construction
In the real world things aren’t that simple.
• If possible, permit for flexibility
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Studies that Support Final Horizontal Layout
Field Studies
• Site specific environmental and cultural fieldwork • Site specific engineering field work • Constructability considerations
Adjust Horizontal Layout and Review for:
• Wind resource • Constructability • Engineering • Environmental/cultural resources • Land owner acceptability
Final Horizontal Layout
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Engineering Tasks for Final Layout
If topo exists, may need to commission a fly-over to perform digital photography from which a topographic base map can be prepared
Perform site walkdown of all project facilities to assess access feasibility (slope and terrain issues, etc.)
Perform geotechnical investigations needed for design of roadway cross-sections, collection system routing and wind turbine foundations
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Other Important Studies – Timing of these is critical!
Traffic and transportation study
Wildlife Avian use surveys
Wetlands Cultural Resources Study Transmission Interconnection Studies Noise Shadow Flicker Visual Assessment Property Values Conduct Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ASTM AIA Standards) Etc.
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Permitting
Local
• At most proposed wind energy project sites, one or more local approvals will be required.
State
• Numerous state regulatory programs are likely to be triggered by a proposed wind energy project. While such programs often mirror, implement (through delegated authority), or complement similar federal laws, the state version is typically more stringent than its federal counterpart.
Federal
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Final Engineering Design – Outline
Establish Design Team including Professional Engineer / (Engineer of Record) Develop Design Criteria
Preliminary (Draft) Design
Final Design
• These should capture design requirements for permits and plans • Client should review • Drawings • Technical Specifications • Calculations • PE Sealed • Issued for Construction
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Design Disciplines
Design Disciplines Capabilities - Civil
• Site Civil – Roadway design
• Structural – Foundation Design – Bridge Improvements
• Geotechnical – Basis for access road and WTG foundation design
• Electrical – WTG collector system, – Substation(s) – Transmission Line
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Final Engineering Design - PE
Design requires supervision by licensed civil, structural and electrical PEs (if applicable) PEs typically need to be licensed in State where project is located
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Construction
Pre-Construction
• Finalize Turbine and Long-Lead-Time Item Procurement • Approvals for the later plans and permits Final Construction • • •
Plans and Drawings Secure Construction Contractor Develop Environmental Construction Compliance Plan Develop Mobilization Plan
Mobilization – Make sure you have obtained the right pre-construction permissions Engineering support during construction
• Provide home office support of construction activities • Provide field engineer, preferably from the design team
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Contact
Aileen Giovanello Director of Business Development Tetra Tech EC Inc. 617-457-8236 – office 617-852-7031 – mobile [email protected]
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Goals of the Presentation
Provide an overview of the wind generating facility development process Describe the inter-relation of environmental, engineering and constructability data on each phase of wind farm development
• Site Screening • Conceptual Design • Final Design • Permitting • Construction • Operations and Maintenance
Stress the importance of designing and permitting constructable and economic wind projects
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Integrated Approach to Tt Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Overview of the Development Process
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Site Selection/Screening and Critical Issues Analysis
Site Selection / Screening
• Two most basic questions: – Is the site windy? – Is the site near adequate “take away” transmission?
Critical Issues Analysis is a study that:
• Identifies conditions at the proposed project site • Identifies likely siting issues • Projects impacts on schedule/budget • Provides management strategies to reduce impacts on schedule/budget
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Common Critical Issues Analysis Omissions
Aviation Screening Telecommunications Screening Engineering/Constructability Issues
• Steep slopes • Unstable geotechnical conditions • Inadequate work space
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Conceptual Layout
Initial layout that includes turbine locations, access roads, electrical collection system, switchyard(s) and substation(s), transmission lines, O&M building, and construction work areas. Necessary for obtaining land rights, performing preliminary studies, beginning the regulatory process, etc. Typically the developer or the meteorological firm will take a first cut at the conceptual layout of turbines on a constraint map.
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Defining the Conceptual Layout
Preliminary Selection of Turbine Technology
• Important for turbine spacing • Important for defining setbacks
Define Project Constraints
• Wind • Land • Setbacks from Homes/Infrastructure • Engineering/Access • Environmental • Cultural • Political
Create Conceptual Layout
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Setbacks
Often setbacks are prescribed by-law.
When they are not prescribed by law, the developer needs to set them.
A good source for setbacks is the turbine manufacturer.
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Engineering Tasks for Conceptual Layout
Perform desktop study to evaluate subsurface conditions and geologic hazards
Desktop Transportation Analysis
Initial Road/collection system Layout
Initial Constructability review
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Moving from the Conceptual Layout to the Final Layout
Wind projects have a lot of moving parts: wind resource, property, landowner preferences, setbacks, environmental constraints, cultural resources, engineering constraints, transportation issues, constructability, etc. influence where project facilities will be sited
There must be communication among team members and impact on layout must be understood and incorporated
The best team includes a meteorologist, a land man, an environmental scientist, an engineer, a constructability expert, and a lawyer
Data management with multiple team members can be a challenge Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
What is the Final Horizontal Layout?
This layout depicts all project facilities for permitting and land acquisition purposes In many cases, permits must be obtained for exactly what will be built, so a certain amount of engineering must be done at an early stage In a perfect world, micrositing occurs prior to submitting major permit applications and conducting NEPA (or state equivalent) review
• Failure to do so often means the need to do permit modifications, supplemental EISs, and/or variances during construction
In the real world things aren’t that simple.
• If possible, permit for flexibility
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Studies that Support Final Horizontal Layout
Field Studies
• Site specific environmental and cultural fieldwork • Site specific engineering field work • Constructability considerations
Adjust Horizontal Layout and Review for:
• Wind resource • Constructability • Engineering • Environmental/cultural resources • Land owner acceptability
Final Horizontal Layout
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Engineering Tasks for Final Layout
If topo exists, may need to commission a fly-over to perform digital photography from which a topographic base map can be prepared
Perform site walkdown of all project facilities to assess access feasibility (slope and terrain issues, etc.)
Perform geotechnical investigations needed for design of roadway cross-sections, collection system routing and wind turbine foundations
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Other Important Studies – Timing of these is critical!
Traffic and transportation study
Wildlife Avian use surveys
Wetlands Cultural Resources Study Transmission Interconnection Studies Noise Shadow Flicker Visual Assessment Property Values Conduct Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ASTM AIA Standards) Etc.
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Permitting
Local
• At most proposed wind energy project sites, one or more local approvals will be required.
State
• Numerous state regulatory programs are likely to be triggered by a proposed wind energy project. While such programs often mirror, implement (through delegated authority), or complement similar federal laws, the state version is typically more stringent than its federal counterpart.
Federal
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Final Engineering Design – Outline
Establish Design Team including Professional Engineer / (Engineer of Record) Develop Design Criteria
Preliminary (Draft) Design
Final Design
• These should capture design requirements for permits and plans • Client should review • Drawings • Technical Specifications • Calculations • PE Sealed • Issued for Construction
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Design Disciplines
Design Disciplines Capabilities - Civil
• Site Civil – Roadway design
• Structural – Foundation Design – Bridge Improvements
• Geotechnical – Basis for access road and WTG foundation design
• Electrical – WTG collector system, – Substation(s) – Transmission Line
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Final Engineering Design - PE
Design requires supervision by licensed civil, structural and electrical PEs (if applicable) PEs typically need to be licensed in State where project is located
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Construction
Pre-Construction
• Finalize Turbine and Long-Lead-Time Item Procurement • Approvals for the later plans and permits Final Construction • • •
Plans and Drawings Secure Construction Contractor Develop Environmental Construction Compliance Plan Develop Mobilization Plan
Mobilization – Make sure you have obtained the right pre-construction permissions Engineering support during construction
• Provide home office support of construction activities • Provide field engineer, preferably from the design team
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
Contact
Aileen Giovanello Director of Business Development Tetra Tech EC Inc. 617-457-8236 – office 617-852-7031 – mobile [email protected]
Wind Energy Services
Wind Energy Services
