Wind Farm Development
The development and construction of large wind farms is a complex undertaking. It takes many experts from different fields working closely
together
over years. Some steps take place at once, others vary from country to country. We explain step by step how wind farms are developed and built.
Site Identification
We first identify potential sites with professional geoinformation system tools. To find out if the identified site is suited for wind farm development, we then need to consider a number of planning restrictions.
Restriction Areas
Residential areas and settlements are out of the question (pink areas)...
Restriction Areas
... and many protected areas such as nature conservation areas are not permissible either.
Restriction Areas
Additional buffer zones around the identified restriction areas often leave us with just a small fraction of land that is potentially suitable for wind farm development.
Site Assessment
Once we have identified potential areas, the next step is to inspect them on site. While in the early years, we inspected the terrain with a map and compass, today we use GPS devices and specialised software. In addition, at this point our Site Assessment team already starts preparing internal noise and shadow flicker studies in order to assess the impact of the turbines on local residents.
Land Lease Agreements
We also need the contractual consent of the landowners on whose land the wind farm and its access road will be built. The landowners can be private individuals such as farmers, but also municipalities or state forests. We develop a customised land lease concept for the individual needs on site. If the wind farm is built on the land of several owners, we distribute the lease income as fairly as possible with the help of "pool" concepts.
Land Use Planning
We also support municipalities and regional authorities in the process of land use planning. The necessary development contracts can also include agreements on the development of a wind farm as well as compensation and nature conservation measures.
Wind Farm Layout
In the next step, our engineers design the layout of wind farm. They arrange the turbines carefully to minimise the impact on residents and local ecosystems and to maximise the electricity yield. They also take into account local conditions such as existing roads.
Shadow flicker
Once we
have secured the land use rights, we commission external experts to carry out
all necessary impact assessment studies including shadow flicker. Shadow
flicker results from brief reductions in light intensities caused by the
rotating blades of the turbine casting shadows on receptors on the ground and
stationary objects such as a window at a residence. Shadow flicker generally
occurs during low angle sunlight conditions (typically during sunrise and
sunset). There are strict limitations regarding the maximum permissible shadow
flicker on any given residence.
Noise Emissions
Wind farms
are only approved if they fall below strict noise limits. To calculate the
noise emissions, external experts consider the topography, wind directions, and
noise specifications of the type of turbine. They calculate a worst-case
scenario. For example in Canada, pressure levels from energy-related sources,
measured in dBA, are not allowed to exceed 40 dBA during the night-time or 50
dBA during the daytime at any nearby residences. For comparison: a quiet
conversation corresponds to about 60 dBA, traffic noise to 90 dBA, and a
jackhammer to 110 dBA.
Environmental Surveys
Other experts assess the effects of the planned wind farm on the landscape and on flora and fauna in extensive environmental studies. They evaluate whether protected animal and plant species exist at the site, especially certain birds and bats. The experts spend many days in the open air to record and map nesting sites, hunting grounds and flight paths in detail. They observe the fauna for at least one complete vegetation period. Our planning teams accompany the experts and continuously evaluate their findings. A separate staff unit for nature conservation and species protection also keeps track of the latest research results, evaluates them and advises our planning teams.
Wind Measurement
Our in-house Site Assessment comprising meteorologists, engineers and environmental technicians evaluate the wind potential of each site. To assess the economic feasibility, we need to know the wind conditions as early and as precisely as possible. We use existing wind data from the surrounding area or measure the wind with the help of measuring masts or lidar devices that collect wind data during at least one year.
Yield Assessment
Wind
measurements usually take at least a year. Our team measures the wind
directions and the wind speeds at different heights. With this data, we optimise
the wind farm layout to maximise the yield. Calculating the yield is also
important for obtaining bank financing for the project. Usually, two
independent expert studies are necessary for this. The external experts prepare
their yield reports based on the wind data collected during our measurement campaign.
Public Consultation
Our philosophy is: the earlier and more comprehensibly we inform people about what we are planning and what it means for them, the greater the acceptance of renewable energy projects will be. We regularly inform local residents about planned wind farms at project exhibitions.
Before/after view
Visualisations
At ABO Energy, we believe in transparent, open communication in all phases of development. If required, we create individual project websites which we update regularly. These pages include site maps, visualisations and later pictures of the construction progress. Shown here: a visualisation (left) of the planned wind farm and the completed wind farm (right).
Grid Connection
Our
in-house Electrical Department finds the most cost-effective grid connection
point to feed the electricity generated by the wind farm into the grid. This is
becoming increasingly difficult because the grids are reaching capacity limits
in many places.
In some countries, grid connection points are awarded in tenders. When needed, we build transformer stations to feed in
electricity at a higher voltage level.
Grid Stabilisation
There are
many reasons why it may be necessary to intervene externally in the operation
of a wind turbine: temporary overloading of the grid, negative electricity
prices, birds flying by or icing on the rotor blades. Our electrical department
develops solutions to optimise the necessary communication with the turbines.
In addition, we analyse whether a battery storage system is a suitable addition
to the wind farm to stabilise the grid or the feed-in.
Turbine Selection
Wind
turbines have undergone a rapid technical progress in recent years and are
becoming increasingly efficient. As a manufacturer-independent developer, we
select the optimal turbine for each site. Criteria include long-term
reliability and economic viability, acquisition costs, power curve, availability,
and noise emission in relation to the wind conditions. In addition, the
expected running costs (maintenance, servicing and repair costs) play a major
role. The leading turbine manufacturers value us as a proven and reliable
partner. This good market position helps us to find the optimal turbine for
each location and to conclude suitable contracts.
Permitting
Once we have carried out all the necessary steps of impact and yield assessments, environmental studies and public consultation, we submit all documents (such as site plans, documents from turbine manufacturers, and external experts) to the permitting authority.
Project Financing
Our internal Financing Department works with many national and international banks to secure the economic basis of our wind farms. In many cases, we use funds from the German state-owned (KfW) programmes to secure favourable conditions. Our experienced financing experts ensure solid financing and the most lucrative structuring of each individual project. This includes, for example, profitability calculations and liquidity planning, in short: providing financial support during the entire project development.
Project Sales
In
addition, our Financing Department negotiates the conditions for the sale of
our wind farms with the respective clients. We work with different categories
of investors in order to remain independent. In recent years, energy providers,
especially regional or municipal utilities, have acquired a large proportion of
our wind farms. We also maintain good relationships with financial investors
such as insurance companies. ABO Energy traditionally places great value on
citizen participation. We work closely with cooperatives.
Remuneration
The economic basis for the operation of wind farms is the remuneration of the electricity. With most projects, we participate in national tariff tenders. We analyse the market carefully in order to achieve adequate prices and remain competitive in the long term. Private-law electricity supply contracts with utilities or large consumers are also playing an increasingly important role. ABO Energy also has a lot of experience with these Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Construction
Construction
starts with the preparation of access roads, crane pads and cable routes. Narrow
roads, uneven terrain, rivers or railway lines are some typical challenges that
our Civil Engineers tackle with creative solutions. It takes a good twelve
months from the start of construction to commissioning. Our construction managers
are on site throughout the entire construction to ensure that schedules,
quality standards and cost specifications are adhered to. They coordinate the
delivery of the plants with the transport companies and all the authorities,
landowners and farmers involved. We work with local or regional medium-sized suppliers as much as possible.
Compensation Measures
Constructing a wind farm has an impact on nature: Some areas need to be partially sealed for the foundation, crane pad, and access roads. If we have to clear trees, we plant replacements or support ecological forest conversion to make the forest more resistant to climate change. As further compensatory measures, we plant orchards, create habitats for field hamsters, renovate gullies or create nesting sites for bats. In this way, we add a further ecological value to the site.
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Wind Farm Development
Site Identification
Restriction Areas
Restriction Areas
Restriction Areas
Site Assessment
Land Lease Agreements
Land Use Planning
Wind Farm Layout
Shadow flicker
Noise Emissions
Environmental Surveys
Wind Measurement
Yield Assessment
Public Consultation
Visualisations
Grid Connection
Grid Stabilisation
Turbine Selection
Permitting
Project Financing
Project Sales
Remuneration
Construction
Construction (Video)
Compensation Measures