Feasibility Studies

On this page:
What's included in a Feasibility Study | Why use us? | Planning permission | Electrical Connection | Access & Installation | Energy Generation Estimates | Analysis of Project Economics | Options | Next Steps | Turbine Technologies | WES18 & WES30 | Northern Power 100 | Enercon E-33 & E-53 |Prices

Bigger Turbines Mean Better Returns

Many commercial, agricultural and Local Authority sites are large enough to be suitable for wind turbines in the 50-500kW size range, commonly know as ‘Medium Wind’. Systems of this sort use the same technology as the full-size turbines seen on coastlines and hillsides, but at a scale more suited to on-site generation. The physics of wind energy generation mean the general rule of thumb is the bigger the turbine the more cost effective it is. Larger blades capture more wind energy and taller towers give access to higher wind speeds and the introduction of the Feed In Tariff in the UK means the financial returns are very attractive . The first step in discovering whether your site is suitable for one or more medium wind turbines is a Sol-vent Energy Medium Wind Feasibility Study (MWFS). Our engineering, planning and project management experience means we can accurately and efficiently assess all the factors that determine what’s possible on a given site and then produce a bespoke report.

What’s Included?
Sol-vent Energy Medium Wind Feasibility Studies include:

• A site survey from a Sol-vent Energy  wind energy engineer, including detailed photographic survey and technical measurements.
• Comparisons between different turbines or mast heights
• An assessment of the likelihood of obtaining planning permission and an estimate of probable application costs and timescales
• An appraisal of the electrical connection on site and it’s impact on maximum system size and likely connection cost
• A analysis of system installation logistics
• Energy generation estimates based on local wind data, refined using software modelling
• A comprehensive economic analysis of the proposed options, including total project costs, expected maintenance costs, energy savings and income from FITs/ROCs over system lifespan.
• Clear advice on what to do next.

Why Use Us?
Sol-vent Energy Ltd. have a wealth of experience in all areas of wind turbine system planning design and installation. Our planning team are RTPI qualified with over 100 successful wind turbine planning applications and we use WindFarm™ software to design your turbine project and produce planning documents that meet the latest industry guidelines.

Planning Permission
The likelihood of obtaining planning permission is the single most important consideration when assessing
the feasibility of a medium wind project. As part of an MWFS, Sol-vent Energy team of RTPI qualified planners and WindFarm ™ trained engineers will review the information gathered during the site survey and:

• Use WindFarm™ software to produce ZTV (Zone of Theoretical Visibility) maps and wireframe images to establish the visual impact of the proposed turbine project.
• Check land allocations and uses.
• Review local and regional planning policy frameworks, including discussions with the Local Authority.
• Check aviation maps and submit a consultation pro-forma to establish the potential impact on radar and report on whether a full NATS study will be necessary.
• Produce baseline noise maps using WindFarm ™ and report on the scope of the noise study required for a full planning application.
• Produce a basic analysis of potential shadow flicker effects using WindFarm™
• Consult with Ofcom on television and radio wave interference.
• Conduct a search of local landscape and ecological designations.
• Submit a Screening Opinion to the Local Planning Authority to establish whether a Environmental Impact Survey will be required.

The key outputs of the Planning section of a Sol-vent Energy medium wind feasibility study are:

• Advice on whether a planning application is likely to be successful and what the major risks are.
• Recommendations on the scope, costs and timescales of the planning application and the type and number of third-party studies required.
• ZTV maps and wireframe images showing the expected visual impact of the proposed systems, which can be used as part of a future planning application.

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Electrical Connection
The strength of the on site electrical connection and the local grid network has a major impact on the   maximum size of a wind turbine system at a given location. As part of a MWFS, Sol-vent Energy will consult with the District Network Operator (DNO) to establish what is possible and provide an estimate of the cost of upgrading the local infrastructure to meet the demands of the proposed system.

Access & Installation Logistics
A Sol-vent Energy MWFS will report on the logistics of installing a wind turbine system. Access restrictions can impact on maximum system size, so these will be assessed during the survey and identified in the report.
Turbine proposals will accompanied by an indication of the type and number of vehicles and other associated infrastructure required during both installation and maintenance.

Energy Generation Estimates
The amount of energy generated by a wind turbine system is obviously of primary importance. Local wind speeds, distributions and profiles vary greatly across the UK and different sizes and types of turbine produce different outputs.

A Sol-vent Energy MWFS will provide energy generation estimates for each option proposed, based on annual average wind speeds from the Carbon Trust database and the measurements taken during the site survey. The effect of local land topography and wind direction distributions are then modelled using WindFarm™ software, providing a more accurate estimate. Advice will be given about how best to maximise output through intelligent siting of the turbines.

The use of WindFarm™ at this stage in a project provides Sol-vent Energy clients with a real advantage over those of our competitors (who only use the raw database figure), allowing a better estimate of energy generation prior to investment in a planning application.

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Analysis of Project Economics
The results of the energy generation, planning permission, logistics and electrical connection studies are used
to produce a detailed analysis of project economics. This will include:

• An estimate of the likely cost of obtaining planning permission.
• Advice on any necessary electricity infrastructure upgrade costs.
• System installation and maintenance costs.
• Expected reduction in grid supplied energy costs.
• Details of how much power will be consumed on site and how much will be exported.
• Expected income from power sales and Feed in Tariffs or ROCs

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Two Options
Our standard MWFS report format includes two alternative options for your site, based on your requirements, the available budget and the results of the survey. For example, the report might cover two different turbine types or two different mast heights. The difference between on-site power usage vs export only might be covered or two different turbine locations assessed. The specific scope of your feasibility study will be discussed with Sol-vent Energy Ltd. prior to ordering.

Next Steps
The purpose of a MWFS is to establish the viability of a site for wind turbine project and then provide a set of recommended actions to ensure it proceeds efficiently and effectively. The MWFS report will advise on what to do next on planning, wind monitoring, grid infrastructure and logistics, including expected timescales.
Each MWFS is bespoke and designed around the specific needs of the client and Sol-vent Energy's experience in taking projects from the feasibility stage right through to commissioning means our guidance can be relied upon.

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Turbine Technologies
Sol-vent Energy are committed to ensuring our clients receive the best possible advice and we only undertake consultancy work for wind turbines that we have confidence in. Currently there are five turbines that we can cover in our feasibility studies, three of which we supply and install ourselves, and two which we provide a consultancy-only service for. Details of these turbines are below.

Wind Energy Solutions WES18 & WES30
Wind Energy Solutions produce the WES 18 80kW and WES 30 250kW wind turbines . These reliable two-bladed machines are extremely well-proven with hundreds of successful installations across the globe. Sol-vent Energy supply and install the WES machines ourselves, so we can manage the project from start to finish.

Northern Power Systems Northwind 100
The Northwind 100 is a 100 kW turbine manufactured by American company Northern Power Systems. A high performing three-bladed machine it’s permanent magnet direct drive technology removes the needs for a gearbox, simplifying the mechanical design. Sol-vent Energy supply and install the Northwind 100.

Enercon E-33 & E-53
German manufacturer Enercon produce the E-33 330 kW and E-53 800 kW wind turbines. Modern in design and aesthetically  pleasing, both these turbines are excellent performers.

Enercon supply and install turbines directly.

Prices
We offer an excellent value fixed-price fee structure for our MWFSs, based on turbine type and number. This will be established via early discussions between you and Sol-vent Energy and the flexibility exists to ‘upgrade’ the survey once it’s underway or to provide a bespoke product where appropriate.

Projects with more than three turbines will be priced individually after discussion with Sol-vent Energy Ltd.

All prices exclude VAT and are subject to change.

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