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Broxtowe District Council granted consent for a single 132m to tip wind turbine on land within the greenbelt at Newthorpe Sewage Treatment Works. TNEI were commissioned by Regeneco Ltd, on behalf of Severn Trent Water, to provide full planning and environmental consultancy services on the Severn Trent Water wind project. TNEI initially undertook an extensive GIS sieving and feasibility assessment of the STW portfolio. One of the sites identified as potentially being suitable for a wind turbine development was Newthorpe Sewage Treatment Works. TNEI commenced environmental and technical assessments on the site for the purposes of compiling supporting documentation and submitting a planning application. TNEI then managed the relationships with key stakeholders through the life of the application. The development gained support from Broxtowe District Council and was consented at committee in June 2011. The scheme will consist of a single turbine with a maximum height to blade tip of

TNEI has been appointed by East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) to undertake a renewable and low carbon feasibility study which will assess 30 sites owned by ERC and consider their suitability and commercial viability for a range of low carbon technology options including: Wind; Solar; Hydro; Biomass; Geothermal; and Ground/Air Source. The primary focus of the study will be for TNEI to assess the potential of each site, and identify viable renewable technology options that can be taken forward to implementation to maximise future income generation and community benefits for ERC. The project is being led by staff within TNEI’s local Glasgow office, with technical input provided by the Newcastle office.

Derby City Council granted consent for two 132m to tip wind turbines on land at Derby Sewage Treatment Works, Spondon, Derby. TNEI were commissioned by Regeneco Ltd, on behalf of Severn Trent Water, to provide full planning and environmental consultancy services on the Severn Trent Water wind project. TNEI initially undertook an extensive GIS sieving and feasibility assessment of the STW portfolio. One of the sites identified as potentially being suitable for a wind turbine development was Derby Sewage Treatment Works. TNEI commenced environmental and technical assessments on the site for the purposes of compiling supporting documentation and submitting a planning application. TNEI then managed the relationships with key stakeholders through the life of the application. The development gained support from Derby City Council and was consented at 6-0 at committee in September 2012. The scheme will consist of two wind turbines with a maximum height to blade tip of

Arago Technology Ltd has recently won the award for Best Power / Energy technology at the IET Innovation Awards. This device was developed by one of TNEI’s clients. This follows on from their highly successful appearance at the Energy Innovation Awards in 2010 when they won two awards for their Insulated Cross-arm technology. Arago Technology is a spin out company of The University of Manchester, along with EPL Composite Solutions Ltd. Their innovation is aimed at upgrading the transmission capacity of existing transmission towers by replacing the traditional steel arms and glass insulation with a composite insulated arm that allows higher current and voltage capacities on existing towers thus reducing the need for new rights of way or larger towers. Cross-Arm device (c) Arago Technology TNEI’s Senior Electrical Engineer Martin Queen worked closely with Arago at his previous position in Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd. Martin says of the cross-arm

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, today announced a breakthrough in the ability to interrupt Direct Current, solving a 100-year-old electrical engineering puzzle and paving the way for a more efficient and reliable electricity supply system. After years of research, ABB has developed the world’s first circuit breaker for high voltage direct current (HVDC). It combines very fast mechanics with power electronics, and will be capable of “‘interrupting’ power flows equivalent to the output of a large power station within 5milliseconds – that is 30 times faster than the blink of a human eye. For more on this story, click here.

Banks Renewables has kicked off construction at its £21.9m six-turbine Penny Hill wind farm in south-east Rotherham, Yorkshire. The project is expected to create 30 direct jobs, with contracts being awarded to local firms for the supply of materials and sub-contract works, as well as associated services. Banks said the wind farm will utilize Repower’s 3.4MW generators, the highest ever capacity turbines to be installed at a UK onshore wind farm to date. Delivery is slated for early 2013. TNEI Planning and Environmental Group performed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) at this site. TNEI’s involvement included: Preparing an EIA Scoping Request to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council; Providing information on environmental and planning constraints and assisting in evolution of the design layout; Undertaking technical surveys necessary as part of the EIA; Appointing and managing subcontractors where required to conduct specialist assessments; Undertaking technical reviews of reports and figures; Managing consultation with