Lifecycle of Renewable Energy Project Development

As the energy market evolves from a large centralized system to a decentralized system focused more on cleaner, zero carbon energy, the demand for renewable alternatives continues to grow. As states and corporations commit to meeting renewable energy goals, we continue to see costs of renewable energy projects declining making them a more viable options for governments and companies of all sizes. Rob Bates has joined NTH’s Energy Market team leading our Ecological Services as a Senior Project Scientist leading ecological studies, NEPA documentation, siting, and mitigation of wind and solar projects across the western U.S. Rob is a seasoned professional with 16 years of experience in environmental consulting, wildlife biology and management, habitat restoration, and project management. We hired Rob to help our clients to navigate the complex ecological studies required when developing and operating a renewable energy project while meeting the requirements of NEPA and other regulatory permitting requirements.

Below is an overview from Rob highlighting what clients should consider when planning their renewable energy project.

There are many issues to consider when planning projects timeline and budget. The renewable project owner/developer will need to evaluate the lifecycle, environmental impacts, and property acquisition as they plan, budget, and execute their renewable project. A key part to successful development starts with the initial stages of the project; establishing the needs and goals of the owner/developer and the needs of the end user. Performing due diligence through the lifecycle of the project’s planning and execution is required to make sound decisions for siting of the project and acquisition of the land.

Developing a thorough timeline and steps to be expected as the development of the project moves through the process, should include steps such as:

• Critical Issues Analysis – including ecological and critical habitat studies of proposed sites.
• Regulatory Framework – agency coordination and required reporting.
• Environmental Impact Analysis – compilation of results from Critical Issues Analysis into the appropriate NEPA formatting and reporting.  
• Permit Acquisition – completion, documentation, and reporting of wetlands delineation(s) and submittal of required permit applications.
• Environmental Site Assessment/Due Diligence – Phase I and Phase II studies.
• Community/Public Involvement
  
  

Project planning for renewable energy must also include potential post-operational mitigation measures, studies, and reporting that may be necessary. These include habitat mitigation from unavoidable impacts of the project, post-mortality studies of bats and birds on wind generation facilities, to reporting requirements of an operational renewable energy facility.

If you are interested in learning more, Rob will be presenting at this year’s Michigan Municipal Energy Association’s fall conference, September 12-14, 2018 in Escanaba, Michigan on the Lifecycle of Renewable Energy Project Development. If you are unable to make it to Escanaba to hear Rob’s presentation, he will be one of NTH’s presenters during our fall webinar series. Stay tuned for topics and dates of our webinars. Please sign up here to be notified when this webinar is scheduled.