News

In June, TNEI staff undertook a wind farm noise training session for Section 36 Case Officers and Technical Support Staff at the ECDU office in Glasgow.The training session was led by James Mackay (TNEI’s Technical Services Manager) and covered topics including the application of the ETSU-R-97 assessment methodology, current good practice (contained within the Institute of Acoustics Good Practice Guide), cumulative noise assessments, noise related planning conditions and wind farm compliance monitoring.The training session was arranged by Colin Lavety (Lead Consultant & Manager – Glasgow) and it follows on from a number of wind farm noise training sessions that TNEI have provided for a range of clients including wind farm developers, turbine operators and Local Authorities across the UK. Colin Lavety noted: “James and the rest of the Acoustics team have built up a wealth of experience in relation to wind farm noise assessment in recent years and it is

TNEI’s Moise Coulon had a week to remember after scooping the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) Best Diploma Project Award of 2014 at the ANC’s annual awards dinner on 24th June. Later that week the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) also published a Technical Contribution written by Moise in the IOA Acoustics Bulletin magazine. Moise’s diploma project was entitled “‘Directivity of wind farm noise at noise sensitive receptor distances’, a topic which is of increasing importance as cumulative wind turbine noise assessments become key to maximising renewable energy generation in areas where turbines are already operating whilst ensuring the amenity of nearby residents is protected. The ANC noted that the project was ‘head and shoulders above the rest’ in a year that the standard was ‘unusually good’. The Technical Contribution in the July / August edition of the Acoustics Bulletin focused on the complex wind speed referencing system used in wind

On 15th May 2014, TNEI secured consent (via successful appeal) for the erection of a 500kW, 77m to tip single wind turbine on land at Hunday Farm, Winscales, Allerdale, Cumbria. The appeal was determined by way of written representations with the Inspector focusing on issues of cultural heritage, residential amenity and aircraft safety. In conclusion, the Inspector found that the alternative source of income for the farm and the wider support the proposal offers to local enterprise and the rural economy were matters that carried significant weight. This project demonstrates the core capability of our Planning & Environmental Group to successfully negotiate the statutory planning system and we remain actively involved in numerous wind energy projects of all scales (including several appeals) throughout the UK.

TNEI’s Planning & Environmental Team in Glasgow has recently secured planning consent for two separate development projects in North Lanarkshire over the last 4 weeks. Working on behalf of client Hallam Land Management – the strategic land and planning promotion arm of the Henry Boot Group – TNEI has successfully delivered consents for a 50 unit residential scheme in Moodiesburn and a 24 unit industrial development in Airdrie. TNEI, led by Chartered Planner Colin Lavety, acted as Lead Consultant and Project Managers and were responsible for providing planning consultancy, noise and ecology services. For both schemes, TNEI were responsible for preparation, submission and management of the planning applications then steering them through the post-submission process. This required close involvement from start to finish, including significant levels of consultee engagement, attendance at public exhibitions and coordination of a wide range of specialist sub-consultants to overcome a number of technical considerations during

TNEI’s Glasgow office has recently expanded with two new appointments which will enhance the firm’s offering in the Scottish market. Alan Mason has joined as a Principal Consultant within the Power Systems Group and Susan Turnbull has joined as an Assistant Consultant within the Planning & Environmental Group. Alan is an experienced Electrical Engineer with a wealth of knowledge of power systems and transmission, grid codes and the requirements of large grid connected projects, having joined from Senvion (formerly Repower). He will be responsible for leading the provision of Power Systems services to the Scottish market, building on the existing reputation and workload established by TNEI’s Manchester office. Susan is a recent postgraduate with an MSc in City Planning from the University of Glasgow and benefits from initial planning experience in both Scotland and Australia, where she has worked in both Local Authority and planning consultancy roles. Susan will provide

TNEI is looking to offer a summer placement opportunity to a bright and driven under-graduate with their Power Systems and Technology Group (PST) in Manchester, giving the candidate the opportunity to gain exposure to a diverse range of strategic, regulatory and technical consultancy projects focussing on the energy industry. TNEI has a very strong and busy PST team which delivers power systems consulting to solve issues such as integration of offshore and onshore wind and other generation into the electricity networks and the facilitation of smart grids. We regularly work with electricity network operators to support on technical issues and assist in optimising plans. Changes in the electricity generation mix, such as the increase in renewable generation, coupled with aging electricity network infrastructure is presenting exciting challenges and opportunities for the electricity industry. This is driving development in regulation such as Electricity Market Reform (EMR), increasing transmission reinforcement including strong