News

TNEI have carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment and submitted a planning application on behalf of Future Earth Energy for the Drakelow Renewable Energy Centre in Derbyshire. The proposal is for a 15MW CHP ready Energy from Wasteplant on the site of the former Drakelow C Power Station. The plant willuse gasification technology to converttreated commercial and industrial waste (paper, card and plastics) delivered to the site as a Biomass Rich Fuel. The UK currently produces a surplus of this fuel with much of it exported to continental Europe for energy generation. The gasification process would produce a synthetic gas to generate steam to drive a steam turbine so that electricity would be generated and exported to the local distribution network. The plant also has the potential to export heat in the form of warm water to commercial or residential users on the adjacent consented Drakelow Park mixed use development.

TNEI have today submitted a planning application and Environmental Statement to South Lanarkshire Council in respect of Bankend Rig II Wind Farm, on behalf of Wilson Renewables II LLP. The 3 turbine, 136m to tip scheme has been designed to use infrastructure from the existing Bankend Rig Wind Farm where possible, and integrate visually with the existing and consented wind farms in the area. It is anticipated to generate up to 10.2MW of electricity dependent upon final turbine selection. A separate road widening application will be submitted to East Ayrshire Council shortly.

TNEI was commissioned to provide Noise Expert Witness Services at a Public Inquiry for the continued operation and extension of an established sand and gravel quarry in Cumbria. The scheme was recently awarded Planning Consent at Appeal and all recommendations provided by TNEI’s Noise Expert Witness were accepted by the Planning Inspector. Preparing for the Public Inquiry TNEI’s Noise Expert Witness, Stephen Arnott had to review the noise impact assessment provided within the Environmental Statement together with all recent monitoring data, to ensure it met the requirements of recently introduced guidance, before following up with a site visit to evaluate the local noise environment together with options for optimising noise control onsite. Two Proofs of Evidence were then prepared, one for the S78 Appeal and the second for an Enforcement Notice Appeal, which requires a different approach as the outcome can result in criminal sanctions. Further work included input into

TNEI’s grid and planning and environmental teams will be at the Connect to the Grid conference in London today. Aimed at helping renewable energy projects achieve timely and cost effective grid access, Catherine Cleary (Grid Connections Lead) and Claire Hughes (Planning and Environmental programme manager) will be talking to developers about how TNEI services can support your project.

TNEI are attending the All-Energy Exhibition & Conference today and tomorrow at the SECC, Glasgow. Staff members across our Planning & Environmental and Power Systems teams will be in attendance so if you would like to meet up for a chat with any of the team please get in touch (Ged.Barrett@tnei.co.uk or Jason.McGray@tnei.co.uk). Our Senior Consultant, Niall Kelly, is also delivering a presentation in tomorrow’s plenary session on “‘Onsite and Microgeneration ““ including wind and solar’ so worth heading along to!

TNEI Services were commissioned by Scottish Enterprise (in partnership with SP Energy Networks) to undertake a review of MVDC (medium voltage direct current) technology.TNEI identified potential oppotunities based on a technological and market analysis of MVDC technology, at present and 10-15 years into the future. Network case studies and stakeholder engagement activities revealed that the establishment of a Test & Demonstration Centre was the most effective route to de-risk and accelerate the deployment of MVDC technology. Therefore a socio-economic assessment of three proposed facility configurations was undertaken. The socio-economic assessment highlighted the benefits from a Test & Demonstration Centre located in Scotland, with a range of supplementary benefits accessible as a result of other DC”“related research and demonstration facilities in the country. The full report is available here.