News

Energy consultancy TNEI is pleased to be working with Aquamarine Power (“Aquamarine”) to identify the most viable marine energy sites around the UK and Irish coastlines for deployment of Aquamarine’s market leading Oyster wave energy converter. Aquamarine is aiming to develop sites capable of hosting 1,000 MW of marine energy by 2020. TNEI’s expertise in grid connection analysis is helping Aquamarine to assess potential sites for its market leading Oyster wave energy converter, up to and over 100 MW. To help make informed decisions on the sites, TNEI has been conducting grid connection analysis on locations and the network. Nothing of this scale exists at present and the team is investigating the grid’s current capacity and capabilities and making projections on how it will look in the future. The work has centred on collating public domain data, undertaking spreadsheet analysis on current grid capabilities and identifying capacity locations on a

TNEI’s power systems team is working on a two phased programme to provide power systems analysis for Northern Ireland’s electricity network operator. The team is developing bespoke analytical tools that will allow Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) to model its system more closely and develop a better understanding of how it operates currently and in the future with increasing amounts of energy being generated by wind farms. This greater knowledge will facilitate the connection of even higher penetrations of renewable generation and at the same time improve operational efficiency and security. Phase one of the programme sees TNEI’s team of power systems experts developing software to model the complex network of Special Protection Schemes, SPS that NIE operates. These SPS operate during abnormal system conditions and allow continued operation of the network by switching off, or constraining the output of generators or wind farms. As NIE’s system has become more complex

Planning and environmental specialists at energy consultancy, TNEI Services have prepared and submitted planning applications for two more wind farm developments on behalf of their client, Broadview Energy. The applications were for wind farm developments near Seamer, adjoining Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, and at Low Spinney, near Gilmorton and Ashby Magna in Leicestershire. Applications for the Seamer Wind Farm have been resubmitted following further planning and environmental assessment work conducted at the site. TNEI prepared revised applications on behalf of Broadview Energy for a 5 turbine wind farm after managing further detailed access, ecological and visual amenity studies. For the Low Spinney site, TNEI has managed the EIA process for Broadview and prepared application documentation and plans for submission to Harborough District Council. The 4 turbine proposal was the result of a detailed design process to maximise the potential renewable energy generated from the site whilst minimising adverse environmental

TNEI has expanded the technical capabilities of its Planning and Environmental division with the creation of a bespoke software program to conduct link end analysis for the design and construction of wind farms. Technical consultants at TNEI have designed the modelling software that will allow TNEI to offer this analysis as part of its planning and environmental services. Previously, the work was contracted out to third party organisations and by bringing the expertise in house and developing a proprietary software tool, TNEI will be able to offer a seamless service for existing and new wind clients. The analysis TNEI will now perform is to assess the level of potential interference from wind turbines on mobile phone link stations and their communication via micro and radio waves. The software enables the 3D modelling of ground data including the physical position of the turbine and the base stations and an analysis of

Newly launched, Newcastle based company, Future Transport Systems, FTS, is pioneering the introduction of sustainable transport across the UK having won a number of major contracts to introduce electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure to Britain’s roads. FTS has already employed 4 low carbon transport and automotive specialists and has ambitious plans to recruit another 6 before the end of the year.The team will be based at the company’s head office in Newcastle and its technical centre in Hethel, Norfolk on the Hethel Engineering Park, a hub for automotive and engineering development. The company is the UK’s first consultancy specialising in integrating low carbon vehicle technologies with transport and electrical infrastructure.The team is well placed to deliver these projects, as its sister company is leading independent energy consultancy, TNEI Services.FTS will draw a wealth of transferable expertise in electrical networks, systems integration, planning and the environment from TNEI. FTS is

TNEI has extended the range of Planning and Environmental consultancy services it offers to clients with the appointment of a qualified ecological consultant. Claire Snowball joins TNEI with four years experience in ecological consultancy and is a full member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, IEEM.Claire has a BSc(Hons) in Zoology and an MSc in Wildlife Conservation and Management and is licensed by Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage to carry out surveys on great crested newts, and by Natural England to carry out surveys on bats. In recruiting Claire, TNEI has extended the Planning and Environmental services it offers to clients and can now provide the following ecological services: Desk based ecological study and consultation Extended Phase 1 habitat surveys Detailed botanical surveys Great crested newt surveys Bat roost surveys (including building inspection and tree risk assessment) Bat activity surveys (including emergence/dawn