Innovation in Global Power - Parsons Brinckerhoff

Renewables – The Risks, Concerns and Potential
microcrystalline silicon.
– Copper-indium/gallium-diselenide/disulphide and
related HII-VI compounds (CIGSS), which have
the highest efficiency of the thin-film technologies
– Cadmium telluride (CdT), which is simple and stable
due to its ionic nature.
Thin-film production is not very high currently, but it might grow
by 2010 due, in part, to the advanced thin-film technologies
being developed. A factor driving such development has been
the shortage in silicon production, especially during about
2004 to 2006, coupled with the computer chip industry’s
high demand for silicon and ability to pay high prices for it.
Manufacturers are developing new products and solutions for
using less silicon per MW. An example of this is concentrating
photovoltaic (CPV), which uses tandem triple-junction cells
that are reaching higher system efficiencies.
Projects That Are Helping Spain Meet Its
Renewable Energy Goals
A major boost for PV plant development was brought by
the Spanish Royal Decree 436/2004, which spurred growing
interest among companies and investors. PB’s power
specialists in Spain have been involved in several important
PV initiatives, including the following.
• Aldover PV Plant. In 2004 we started the complete
development activities for the 5 MW Aldover PV project
using fixed PV module technology. Our tasks on this
project include:
– Providing advice on the interconnection process with the
local electricity company and on the PV plant permitting
procedure
– Preparing the technical project for the application
request for the Register of Special Electricity Producers
(REPE), and for the Administrative Authorization
– Managing the technical documentation and
environmental licenses application request.
In addition, the regional administration obliged our client to
downsize the available land to implement the PV plant due
to environmental and landscape issues. In response, we
investigated how to maximize the installed power within
the allowed land surface.
• Juneda PV Plant. In 2006, we started the complete
development activities for the 0.9 MW Juneda PV project
with fixed PV module technology, providing services similar
to those provided for the 5 MW Aldover PV Plant.
• Capmany PV Plant. In 2006 we commenced the
development activities for another 0.4 MW photovoltaic
plant (Capmany PV project), with fixed- and single-axis
tracking system PV module technology.
• Central Spain Project. Since the end of 2007 we have
completed a due diligence of four photovoltaic plants with
15.9 MW total power, fixed PV module technology in
central Spain, required for the assessment of the potential
asset purchase.
57 PB Network #68 / August 2008
http://www.pbworld.com/news_events/publications/network/
• Toledo, Spain Project. We performed an independent
engineer’s study for a 10 MW PV plant with double axis
tracking system in Toledo, Spain, to be considered in a
purchase decision.
Technical Skills and Roles
As it happens with other renewable energy sources, the process
of developing a PV plant involves a wide range of technical
skills and roles. Different actors who are responsible for different
areas have contributed to our projects from a technical point of
view and by helping to meet the diverse requirements of
many state, regional and local agencies that issue all required
permits. Typical required technical studies we have been
managing for our clients in Spain include those discussed below.
Geotechnical studies on the ground conditions. These
studies require rotary tests with sample core extraction for
standard penetration tests (SPT) on a sample of locations in the
PV plant terrain in order to define the geotechnical engineering
properties of the soil. Field surveys are also required so
that the geological conditions of the terrain are taken into
consideration when defining the types of foundations for
the module structures.
The foundation type used commonly is a concrete foundation.
Recently, however, more simple and cost-effective methods
have been applied by drilling the structure base sheets into
the ground when the soil conditions are appropriate. Special
solutions for unstable or unpredictable grounds can be applied
by drilling to install posts/piles to support the PV module
structures. This latter method is considered a special solution
used to sort out later problems that would appear if the PV
panel structures were mounted in unstable/unpredictable
soils. In this case, a concrete foundation would be used to
join the structure base with the posts.
Environmental impact assessment studies (EIA) and
landscape studies. These studies are commonly required
by the environmental departments of the administration.
The studies were key documents in the permitting process
for the PV plants mentioned above because environmental
impacts have become more and more important to the
public audience, and they are crucial for the regulatory
authorities that issue the permits.
Yield production assessment reports. These reports are
essential for the financial assessment of the project. Software
used commonly to make such assessments includes PVsyst,
Censolar or FVExpert. We have used the first two of these
to carry out yield production estimations for the client.
A Growing Trend
Indications are that PVs will become increasingly important in the
growing renewable energy participation in the energy generation
mix around the world. Currently we are investigating opportunities
in southern Europe and northern Africa, areas that are
showing a growing interest in renewable energies.