News

Development projects such as wind farms have the potential to have a major impact on a wide range of bird species through habitat loss, disturbance and collision. In order to provide a more complete “‘in house’ service, TNEI has extended the capabilities of the existing ecology department through the appointment of an experienced Ornithological Consultant. Paul Massey joined TNEI in October 2010 with over 14 years of professional experience, including working for the RSPB, BTO, three Bird Observatories, two Wildlife Trusts, local government and an independent ecological consultancy. Paul has experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team on a wide variety of development types, including single and multi-turbine schemes, large-scale onshore power lines, gravel extraction, opencast coal, flood defence, road and housing sites. In recruiting Paul, TNEI has extended the Planning and Environmental services it offers to clients and can now provide the following ornithological services: Desk based

OFGEM has requested required the distribution network operators (DNO) to implement a common method for charging their extra high voltage (EHV) customers. All 14 DNO licence areas in the UK are required to adhere to this. Leveraging our expertise in network modelling and software development, TNEI won contracts to implement the common charging method for 8 out of the 14 licence areas. The contracts have involved developing software to calculate Use of System Charges and then utilising the software to produce the location based charges. The following three charging methodologies have been implemented; LRIC(Long Run Incremental Cost), FCP (Forward Cost Pricing) and NPA (Notional Path Analysis).

Wind farm projects are often subject to high levels of scrutiny by planning authorities and third parties. Due to the high profile of proposed developments it is increasingly common for projects to end up at Public Inquiry. TNEI always look to provide robust technical services to ensure that the assessments are defensible throughout the planning process and at Public Inquiry if and when required. The six strong noise team have been involved in over fifty full ETSU-R-97 noise assessments and several hundred smaller assessments. During the last 18 months staff have been involved in six Public Inquiries for wind farm proposals; two schemes have been approved with all noise related issues resolved to the satisfaction of the appointed Planning Inspector, one scheme was dismissed despite the inspector having no concerns regarding noise, whilst three projects are yet to be determined. TNEI’s Principal Acoustic Consultant Stephen Arnott has given evidence at

TNEI is a consortium partner in ISLES, a full feasibility study into the development of an offshore transmission network linking potential offshore sites for the generation of renewable energy in the coastal waters of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland. ISLES is a collaboration between the Scottish Government (Business, Enterprise & Energy), the Northern Ireland Executive (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment) and the Government of Ireland (Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources). The feasibility study involves developing a business case for the delivery of a trans-boundary grid and will examine aspects such as technology and infrastructure; environment and planning; regulatory and finance; construction and deployment; and opportunities for economic development. TNEI’s Power Systems and Technology Group is providing technology and infrastructure expertise; this includes developing key ISLES transmission network concepts and a corresponding technology roadmap. The current phase of the study is a detailed engineering, costing and economic

TNEI has a clear focus for 2011 and beyond to grow the Planning and Environmental services business it offers to clients with the appointment of a dedicated Business Development Manager. Mike JericevichMike Jericevich joined TNEI in January of this year with 15 years consultancy experience in a number of industry sectors including civil and structural engineering for numerous commercial, environmental and industrial projects, mobile telecom network deployment and onshore renewables. Since 2007 Mike has applied his previous skills and consultancy experience to the onshore wind industry and has developed tailored service offerings for a variety of private UK developers and large UK and international utility companies active in the UK onshore wind market. Over the past four years Mike has developed a detailed understanding of the origination and consenting phases of small and large scale renewable energy schemes and has a clear appreciation of all the major challenges in managing

TNEI are continuing to expand their Power Systems and Technology group to provide a wider range of services. One of these is the capability to perform arc flash calculations. These calculations determine the potential risk and protective measures required when working on or near live electrical apparatus. Following recent HSE investigations arc flash calculations are becoming increasingly common. See our Arc Flash Hazard further details.