News

TNEI have been commissioned by a leading wind energy developer to assess the potential of sites which were previously earmarked for wind energy development. TNEI Planning Team take account of the local development plan, national planning guidance and the trends emerging from recent appeal decisions to determine the suitability of the sites to accommodate solar development in principle. Once this has been established, TNEI’s GIS Team digitally map the environmental constraints and planning designations to determine their influence upon the development potential of the sites. Finally, TNEI’s Technical Team use specialist solar PV software packages to design best fit and bespoke PV arrays that allow projections of energy yield to be made. TNEI also has an in-house Power Systems Team and an Ecology/Ornithology Team which means that issues of grid connection, electricity distribution and biodiversity can be addressed as part of a one-stop service. TNEI’s Principal Planning Consultant, Nigel Moore,

TNEI’s Niall Kelly will be presenting at this year’s RenewableUK Annual Conference in Manchester on 12th November 2014. The presentation forms part of the Rise of the Community Energy Space topic area and Niall’s presentation will focus on the planning & community consultation considerations for small & medium scale wind turbine developers.

TNEI is offering assistance in the Contracts for Difference application process.The application window for the first round ofCfDs is the 16th to 30th October. TNEI can: completethe CfD application on behalf of clients advise clients on bid strategy for the auction. advise on CfDs versus ROs provide training TNEI is ideally placed to assist clients in this area, havingexpertise in EMR and CfDs,grid connectionsand planning and consenting. Please contact sarah.weatherhead@tnei.co.uk, 0161 233 4808.

TNEI is a UK based firm but has recently found that their specialist expertise in renewables integration, harmonics, smart grids, wind turbine noise, EIAs and specialist power systems studies are more and more in demand internationally. To support this,we have appointed an Overseas Lead, Dr Charlotte Higgins. Charlotte’s background is perfect to consider international opportunities for TNEI, not only does she have experience of working in 4 different countries, her educational background means she has a solid appreciation of all aspects of TNEI’s capabilities. Initially, Charlotte will be based in Cape Town, South Africa, for a number of months to engage in business development activities with key contacts in the South African renewables sector. She will also be exploring wider opportunities for TNEI in the power transmission, distribution and generation markets of Southern Africa covering both power systems and planning and environmental services. Please contact Charlotte Higgins on info@tnei.co.uk for

Jim joins TNEI with a wealth of noise assessment experience across a range of sectors including energy, industrial, commercial, construction and transportation. Key projects include Section 36 applications, biomass and hydro planning applications, PPC permitting and mixed-development master planning. Prior to joining TNEI, Jim headed up the Acoustics & Noise team at Atmos Consulting in Edinburgh and has been undertaking environmental and occupational noise assessment work across Scotland for a number of years. In addition to his environmental noise expertise, Jim has worked on a number of significant architectural acoustics projects including design and specification of specialist recording and TV studios, performance spaces, atria, healthcare and educational facilities. Jim will work directly with the existing teams in Glasgow and Newcastle upon Tyne to enhance our capability, with a specific focus on delivering noise and acoustic services to the Scottish development market. Andy Edgar, Director of TNEI’s Planning & Environmental Group

TNEI was commissioned to undertake soil resistivity measurements on the site of a 94MW onshore wind farm. The site is located in the Scottish Highlands, a few kilometres to the west of the Cairn Gorm National Park. The site work was a collaboration between the PST and P&E teams and from each of the three TNEI UK offices: Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow. The area of the site is approximately 40km2 with the highest point being upwards of 800m above sea level. Unexpectedly, the enabling works throughout the site were partially completed at the time of our visit. This meant that significant trekking throughout the mountains with measurement equipment was necessary, on average 9km daily. Navigational skills rather than power system engineering expertises were of paramount importance not only because of the unmarked areas of interest but also because of the extremes of weather conditions. The weather ranged from sunny clear