| Site Prospecting
Prospecting for viable Wind farm sites is a difficult task as it requires
the blending of many disparate ranking assessments ranging from landownership
issues, community support, meteorological modelling, local grid infrastructure
to those logistical elements of site access roads and possible transportation
impediments.
Off-shore Wind farms
In the rich wind resource areas along the Eastern Atlantic coast, large
wind farms are being deployed off-shore following the tradition of the
oil rigs that have been surviving for decades. This expansion requires
further legislative work concerning sea-bed ownership and future leasing
and profit sharing arrangements. The larger turbines now being specified
for some of the larger wind energy farms require new logistical approaches
to construct, transport and install components such as the 60m long blades
needed.
Wind Farm Finance
In addition to the technical improvements, complex new financing systems
are evolving, allowing for longer payback periods and providing increased
investor comfort. Renewable Energy Certificate schemes are offering the
additional bonus of guaranteed revenues per mega watt hour, well into
the future for green energy generators.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental issues surrounding the installation of most sizeable RE
installations bring together ecologists and scientists who can assess
the local and wider impacts of any development for potential impacts such
as noise or shadow flicker. Alongside the multitude of local environmental
concerns and national Wildlife Conservation Acts which must be negotiated
by those charged with achieving consents, there is the larger impact of
international agreements such as Kyoto.
Planning Permissions and Consents
To convert a planning application into a valuable project to be developed
is often the hardest and most lengthy phase of any development. Realistic
site selection and good communications and PR skills are vital components
of any wind development team. A good knowledge of local government regulations
and local views are just as important as the technical expertise underpinning
the project.
|
