The majority of our projects have been under 20MW in capacity, however, we regularly provide specialist support on large projects. Approximately 90% of the successful planning applications Green Cat Renewables has gained planning consent for, have been at a local level. Our ability to engage with the local community and decision makers has enabled us to effectively get across the message about the sustainable benefits to the local economy of these projects.
Furthermore, where Green Cat Renewables is involved in the construction of a project, local contractors are preferred where possible which helps to control project costs, a working relationship can be built on trust, and the local economy benefits further.
The Gleann Casaig Hydro Scheme is located in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Green Cat Renewables provided post planning management, detailed scheme design, planning conditions discharge, technical procurement services and Client’s Engineer services.
The key elements of this project are:
INTAKE STRUCTURES
The scheme has 1 main intake and 5 secondary intakes which provide water to a pressurised pipeline.
Due to the extremely low gradient of the top section of the pipeline, the main intake was required to be over 5m tall which posed major challenges due to the poor ground conditions and very limited site investigation before works started due to lack of access.
Two types of secondary intake were used on the scheme: 2 shuttered concrete and 3 prefab steel box intakes.
PENSTOCK
The pipeline from the main intake to powerhouse is 2,800m long. The upper, low pressure section is of HPPE and the lower, higher pressure section ductile iron (DI).
POWERHOUSE
The powerhouse is a steel portal frame with concrete block infill. Planning conditions required that the roof is covered with grey profiled tin and external walls are clad with vertical dressed timbers. The acoustic doors and louvres ensure that sound emissions are kept within planning requirements.
The scheme has an 11kV high voltage connection which requires a private substation (transformer and switch gear) which is contained within a prefab unit.
Tormywheel Wind Farm comprises a 30+MW, 15 turbine development south of Whitburn within West Lothian. Green Cat Renewables (GCR) assisted the developer Muirhall Energy to finalise the design layout, compile tender scope and award a Design and Build contract in March 2016 for completion by March 2017.
GCR acted as the Client’s Engineer, liaising with stakeholders preparing tenders, and managing the three separate contracts for Balance of Plant, Turbine Supply and Grid Connection. The role of CDM Principal Designer was also included to
ensure compliance with CDM 2015 Regulations.
The site is located on elevated peaty moorland adjacent to an operational landfill site. GCR Geotechnical carried out the ground investigation study which included mining investigation and contaminated land reviews, alongside the standard site investigation to inform foundation design.
To achieve the March 2017 Ofgem ROC deadline it was necessary for GCR to actively co-ordinate actions of all the parties involved.
Muirhall Energy has a portfolio of several wind projects three of which have been successfully delivered by GCR.
We are acutely aware of the current market conditions and understand the need to be as cost efficient as possible, applying only the level of detail required to achieve the desired outcome. Further, by dealing with the high risk items and potential ‘show-stoppers’ at the front end of the project, unnecessary ‘at risk’ expenditure can be avoided. We can be flexible with the approach and structure to any agreements to ensure that the client’s specific requirements can be met.
In 2016, Green Cat Renewable Developments Limited (GCRD) purchased the Deuchries Wind Farm project after the previous owner decided the project was no longer viable due to reducing subsidies, complex grid restrictions and challenging site conditions.
With Green Cat Renewables’ in-house expertise and good working relationships with the local DNO, a more economical grid solution was obtained allowing the project to proceed through the development stage to construction. The on-site electrical works and the ICP contestable works were carried out by Green Cat Renewables’ sister company, Prelec Limited. Their scope of works included just under 3km of underground cabling and an on-site 33kV substation.
The challenging site conditions with extensive cut and fill was undertaken by Green Cat Contracting (GCC), who were able to carry the works out efficiently and economically. One of the first tasks for GCC was to establish two on-site borrow pits to provide the large quantities of fill material required to form the access tracks and crane hardstandings.
Green Cat Renewables were able to provide detailed site design to GCC using data obtained from extensive ground investigation work carried out by the in house Geotechnical Team.
This project is a great example of the various companies, under the Green Cat umbrella, working together to deliver projects cost effectively while dealing with challenges that other developers may be unable to overcome. The turbines were delivered as planned in August 2017 and were commissioned in January 2018.
Working in-house and coordinating with third parties, our engineers and environmental team are experienced in working to very tight planning, accreditation and installation deadlines.
We undertake work as cost and time efficiently as possible to deliver the necessities in order to meet the requirements of the project.
Burton Wold South is a three turbine development just south of an existing operational wind farm at Burton Latimer and a second wind farm Burton Wold North.
Infinergy developed the site and secured planning consent in 2014.
The site is being developed by BWWFS Ltd, which is a partnership 2015 between Infinergy, WWS and Muirhall Energy . The Developer appointed GCR as Client Engineer, which entailed the roles of FIDIC Project Manager and CDM Principal Designer.
The site is on arable farmland and is accessed via an upgraded farm track from the A6 adjacent to Burton Latimer.
A Design and Build Contract was awarded to AE Yates for the Balance of Plant works. Close co-ordination was required to manage this interface with the DNO, Western Power Distribution and turbine installation contractor, General Electric.
GCR managed the route access interface through Roxhill Development Construction site involving adjacent realignment of A6/A14 junction, and installation of three new roundabouts.
Close liaison with Western Power Distribution (DNO) was key to the successful delivery of this project within the Ofgem ROCS deadline of March 2017.
All renewable projects come with their own particular set of challenges such as grid, finance, stakeholders, buildability, noise, resource and environmental issues. We approach complex issues in a pragmatic and practical manner based upon previous experiences and sound know-how.
We have considerable experience in dealing with unique situations and have successfully created solutions which often looked like showstoppers.
The Heysham Port Wind development comprises a single EWT 500kW direct-drive wind turbine, positioned on the north quay of the harbour at Heysham. The developer appointed Green Cat Renewables (GCR) as their client’s engineer, which entailed the roles of NEC3 Project Manager and CDM Principal Designer.
The site is on land at the active port which is operated by Peel Ports and serves commercial goods transport and passenger ferries to Ireland and the Isle of Man. GCR liaised closely with Peel Ports, ensuring work was carried out without disruption to the port.
The development at Heysham is located on the historic Northern Wharf; which is man-made ground built at the end of the 19th Century. GCR undertook contamination surveys to ensure planning condition discharge. Furthermore, we undertook detailed site investigation, prepared tenders, and managed out the separate foundation and piling design-and-build contracts.
By working closely with the contractors and designers, GCR were able to ensure an appropriate design for the wind turbine foundation, at best possible price.
Heysham Port Wind Turbine was one of a large portfolio of 500kW FiT wind projects for a single developer, all successfully delivered by GCR.
Nevis Range Hydro is located on the Allt Choille-rais Burn on a subsidiary ridge of Aonach Mor. It lies within the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area.
Green Cat Renewables were contracted to provide the feasibility assessment, EIA assessment, planning submission and support, CAR Licence application, ongoing liaison with regulatory bodies, detailed scheme design, technical procurement services and Client’s Engineer services.
The key elements of this project are:
INTAKE STRUCTURE
The single intake is 15m by 2.5m and spans the burn, encompassing a 2.5m x 1m inclined alpine screen.
PENSTOCK
The pipeline is 1,410m in length, head 310m from intake to powerhouse. The upper, low pressure section is HPPE and the lower, higher pressure section ductile iron (DI).
POWERHOUSE
The building is situated upstream of the existing Rio Tinto Alcan hydro scheme intake. It houses two turbines with a total generation capacity of 1.1MW.
ON-SITE USAGE
The scheme supplies energy to the Nevis Range Mountain Resort via a private 11kV underground cable. All surplus energy is exported to the grid.
CONSTRUCTION
Construction of the Nevis Range Hydro Scheme was particularly challenging. Rope access was used at the steepest section. To minimise environmental impact during construction, on the upper sections, a walking excavator was used and materials and pipe were transported by helicopter.
Our multi-disciplinary team offers a wide range of development support services, from project concept and feasibility through to planning, modelling, engineering, due diligence and operational assessment.
We offer a unique integrated service package with the minimum number of interfaces with the aim of reducing risk, preventing delays and simplifying the process. This means we can deliver an efficient, seamless and cost effective package of development support.
With decreasing levels of government support, it is now more important than ever to have a strong base of knowledge and data on the resource available – whether it be wind, hydro or solar – in order to effectively gauge the viability of a project.
We will also assess grid connection options, access, buildability, planning prospects and map out any constraints to optimise the site and assess its likely viability early on in the process.
The Benlister Hydro Scheme is located on the Benlister Burn on the Isle of Arran. The scheme lies within the Arran Moors Special Protection Area (SPA).
Green Cat Renewables provided post planning management, detailed scheme design, technical procurement services and Client’s Engineer services.
The key elements of this project are:
INTAKE STRUCTURES
The scheme has 2 intakes which divert water to a main collection intake where the pressurised pipeline starts.
PENSTOCK
The aqueduct pipelines are a total of 675m in length. The pipeline from the main intake to powerhouse is 3,125m long. The upper, low pressure section is of HPPE and the lower, higher pressure section ductile iron (DI). The pipeline has an above ground, pipe bridge, where it crosses the Tounie Burn.
POWERHOUSE
The powerhouse is designed to be a steel portal frame with concrete block infill. Planning conditions required that the roof is covered with grey profiled tin and external walls are clad with vertical larch timbers. The acoustic doors will ensure that sound emissions are kept to a minimum.
ACCESS
An access track used during construction will continue to provide access for maintenance. Its reinstatement to a vegetated running surface will substantially reduce the long term environmental and visual impact of the scheme.
CONSTRAINTS
The construction phase successfully incorporated seasonal working restrictions in relation to Hen Harrier’s in the area.
The first step in the development of any renewable energy project is a feasibility study to assess the project viability, understand development risk and clarify all potential site options. Drawing on the full range of in-house capabilities and services, we are able to provide a comprehensive and detailed study that allows customers to consider their available options before proceeding.
Our Planning and Environmental team adopt a proactive and positive approach to liaising with regulatory authorities and stakeholders in order to define and tailor the scope of all environmental assessment work. Our aim is to save unnecessary expenditure by only undertaking assessments that are agreed and contribute to the determination of the application, whilst still providing the best chance of consent.
In 2009, Green Cat Renewables (GCR) was engaged to provide technical support to E-gen to help identify and develop a portfolio of 500kW FIT scale projects. A regional approach of identifying landowners who might be interested in hosting a project was followed by E-gen.
E-gen employed land agents to identify a large number of potentially interested landowners. GCR then filtered this large number of sites down to a more manageable list by assessing the sites at a high level: for predicted wind speed; planning prospects; access; proximity to dwellings and other physical constraints; buildability; grid connection potential and aviation concerns. These were combined with notes from a site visit to come up with an overall scoring for the site. Sites that scored above the target threshold were advanced to a feasibility study that considered these factors in more detail.
In parallel with this technical approach, E-gen secured a land option for the site and applied for a grid connection. Those sites that passed these tests were taken forward into full planning application and at most sites an anemometer was installed.
This process lead to 5 sites being consented and brought to a shovel ready state. At this point the sites were sold on and Green Cat Renewables provided some ongoing support as they were built out.
In addition, our comprehensive understanding of the planning process as well as environmental and technical constraints for renewable energy projects, enable the team to quickly identify effective solutions to manage project planning risk.
Green Cat Renewables provided full environmental and technical support from the initial feasibility phase through to planning consent.
The key planning issues associated with this project were:
A thorough consultation was undertaken with representatives from The Moray Council, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Council’s Landscape Architect to discuss and agree the scope of the EIA. This ensured that the wind turbines integrated with the surrounding area and were well within the visual envelope of the adjacent Rothes Wind Farm.
The aviation impact of the wind farm required careful management and consideration. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) initially objected to the proposal on grounds of radar interference and hazards to low- flying aircraft but later withdrew their objection subject to the implementation of a radar mitigation scheme.
As the wind turbines are located on moorland and blanket bog habitat, extensive consultation was undertaken with SEPA and SNH at an early stage. This ensured that the impact on surface and groundwater hydrology and hydrogeology
was understood and that issues raised regarding wetland ecology, environmental management and pollution prevention, could be appropriately mitigated and managed. Where possible, effects have been mitigated as part of the design of the scheme but where initial impacts (of moderate or less significance) could not be completely alleviated then additional mitigation was proposed. In this instance it was agreed that the additional mitigation would be addressed by a planning condition and managed through the use of best practice and control procedures to reduce any risks to an acceptable level.
The Kellas scheme was consented at committee in November 2014 following recommendation to grant permission from the planning officer.
Our electrical engineers have successfully delivered over 100 grid connections, ranging from simple T-ins to complex multi-party connection agreement. We have considerable experience of novel solutions such as sharing infrastructure, on site usage, acquiring DNO assets, non-firm connections, and variable export capacities. In addition we have considerable experience of long complex connections where negotiating wayleave and servitude rights can often be as complex as the technical solution.
Green Cat Renewables (GCR) acted as the Client’s Engineer, including providing assistance with the commercial negotiations between the factory and client to allow export from the turbine to supply the factory.
Due to the transmission constraints in the local area, the site would not be able to export the full 1.5MW onto the WPD network until summer 2017. The network operator, WPD could only offer a 50kW connection prior to this date. To ensure the higher FiT tariff was secured a deal was struck with the neighbouring factory, Sibelco, to supply them with power from the turbine. This meant integrating the turbine and factories connection together.
GCR assisted with the design of the electrical configuration to ensure that no more than 50kw was exported to the grid. A controller was installed at the point of connection to curtail the turbine when the power consumed by the factory, plus the grid export, was less than what the turbine could produce at that moment in time.
This also created a complex metering configuration where the requirement was to incorporate half hourly meters at each respective entry point. GCR designed the metering set up as well as successfully arranging an appropriate supply company to apportion how much of the turbines generation is used by the factory.
In 2013, Green Cat Renewable Developments Limited (GCRD) entered into a joint venture to develop the Aldercombe Barton Wind Project. The initial intention was for this to be a 4 turbine development, however after a consultation process with the Local Planning Authority and local residents it was decided that a single turbine development was more likely to gain consent. The heavily loaded nature of the local grid also leant itself to a smaller development.
With our in house expertise, we successfully developed a good working relationship with the local DNO, and negotiated a novel grid solution whereby the output from the turbine is restricted during peak hours in the summer months when local solar farms are exporting
at or near maximum output. This brought forward the connection date by several years and significantly reduced the connection cost, allowing the project to proceed through the development stage to construction.
The on-site electrical works were carried out by Green Cat Renewables’ sister company, Prelec Lmited.
The civil balance of plant works were carried out in house by Green Cat Renewables’ contracting arm, Green Cat Contracting (GCC).
Green Cat’s Geotechnical Team provided data for the detailed design phase, following their extensive ground investigation work.
This project came in on time and budget and has been operating successfully since July 2015 . It is a great example of the benefits to our clients that the vertical integration of the various companies, under the Green Cat umbrella, can deliver. Crucially it allows us to effectively reduce a project’s cost while dealing with unique challenges that these projects throw up.
Our Technical Services Team are industry experts in undertaking energy yield assessments for wind, hydro and solar projects. These provide essential, decision making information during all stages of the development and are tailored to the customer’s needs at the feasibility phase for determining project viability; at the critical financing and investment stage for gaining funding from lenders; and operational assessments for tracking project performance.
Further technical services include detailed noise assessments, undertaken by acoustics-accredited and qualified noise experts, and shadow flicker assessments.
Green Cat Renewables, (GCR) was appointed as wind resource consultants with a view to providing a bankable assessment for the energy generation potential of the site.
The original consent for the development consisted of 3 2.5MW wind turbines, with a tip height of up to 100m.
The initial layout was designed on the basis of a turbine model that had become obsolete, thus GCR considered three alternative compliant models from various manufacturers as requested by the client, each with identical 2MW capacity and dimensions.
In addition to this, a fourth model identified and suggested by GCR was included in the assessment, with a higher 2.3MW capacity.
Whilst this model had a marginally larger rotor diameter, and increase on wake losses, the higher yield benefits outweighed the increased capital costs.
A comprehensive wind resource model of the site was developed based on metrological mast. As well as wind data, the model incorporated terrain data and neighbouring operational and consented wind projects.
OUTCOMES
The results provided by GCR enabled the client to progress to discussions with the local planning authority and the turbine manufacturers.
The estimated yield figures were used by the client as part of project cost models, allowing the client to select the most profitable scheme under the current consent.
The project progressed with a 2.3MW wind turbine. This delivered an improved capacity factor of around 31%, compared to around 27 – 28% for the other models.
Our Engineering Team, is experienced in the management of project construction from the discharging of planning conditions through to the final snagging tests. We offer a full range of support services specifically tailored to each project and have established good working relationships with key stakeholders such as network operators, turbine manufactures and local communities. Typically we undertake all aspects of civil and electrical design, manage the procurement process, provide technical assistance during the finance process, act as the Principal Designer co-ordinating Health and Safety through construction, manage the construction contracts, and provide overall client engineer/technical advisor services.
The team is also supported by our geotechnical department and sister companies Green Cat Contracting and Prelec electrical contractors.
The Benlister Hydro Scheme is located on the Benlister Burn on the Isle of Arran. The scheme lies within the Arran Moors Special Protection Area (SPA).
Green Cat Renewables provided post planning management, detailed scheme design, technical procurement services and Client’s Engineer services.
The key elements of this project are:
INTAKE STRUCTURES
The scheme has 2 intakes which divert water to a main collection intake where the pressurised pipeline starts.
PENSTOCK
The aqueduct pipelines are a total of 675m in length. The pipeline from the main intake to powerhouse is 3,125m long. The upper, low pressure section is of HPPE and the lower, higher pressure section ductile iron (DI). The pipeline has an above ground, pipe bridge, where it crosses the Tounie Burn.
POWERHOUSE
The powerhouse is designed to be a steel portal frame with concrete block infill. Planning conditions required that the roof is covered with grey profiled tin and external walls are clad with vertical larch timbers. The acoustic doors will ensure that sound emissions are kept to a minimum.
ACCESS
An access track used during construction will continue to provide access for maintenance. Its reinstatement to a vegetated running surface will substantially reduce the long term environmental and visual impact of the scheme.
CONSTRAINTS
The construction phase successfully incorporated seasonal working restrictions in relation to Hen Harrier’s in the area.
GCR acted as Client’s Engineer for Temporis Wind as they developed this two turbine project in Aberdeenshire. The enabling works for the project involved a 2.5km grid connection, 240m of new track, 600m of upgraded track, 1000m of asphalt finish road widening on an existing private road, and undergrounding 250m of overhead BT telecoms line.
The key elements undertaken by GCR were:
Issues can arise with operational projects resulting in significant losses in revenue if not identified and resolved in a timely manner. We offer tailored services that can effectively manage your projects and portfolios closely to ensure these operate to their full potential and that the maximum return on your investment is achieved.
