At the feasibility stage we examine the viability of your proposed development(s) to identify technologies, any benefit of BESS, site suitability and land use planning, energy demand and yields, connections (private wire or distribution network operator) and the economics of your investment (price per kWh, ROI, etc).
Our diagnostic approach ensures that your targets can be met realistically while minimising risk and cost. With the rising price of energy, offsetting your supply from the grid typically offers better value than exporting to the grid, so we size schemes to optimise economics rather than maximising the size of installation.
Our breadth of technical expertise spans the energy, waste, food and drink, manufacturing, finance and transport sectors. This enables us to evaluate all options and identify the most suitable path for you, while working with your facilities management to verify the viability of the project.
Our experts offer due diligence and investment screening advice. We are also able to advise on eligibility and access to sustainable finance.
Solar farm feasibility study
Ricardo was commissioned by a local authority to assess the costs, benefits and risks for a ground-mount solar PV system on land owned by the council. The study scope included assessment of key factors impacting on project viability, including:
• Technical and construction constraints
• Planning (including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA))
• Electricity sales (e.g. via corporate and synthetic power purchase agreements (PPAs))
• Connection to the electricity distribution network
• Connection to neighbouring sites via private wires
• Integration of battery storage
Feasibility for floating solar PV and Private Wire connection (Water Industry Client)
This project explored four scenarios to connect a MW scale solar PV system to customers. Ricardo assessed options for on-site use and minimal export (1.2 MW and 11kV connected) and for significant commercial export (up to 10MW and 33 kV connected). Each scenario considered two technical options: ground mounted or floating solar PV on a near-by reservoir. The scheme will be community owned, on the site owned by a water utility, or on adjacent farmland.
Solar PV Connection and Income options for Cuckmere Community Solar
This project, for Cuckmere Community Solar, explored the different routes to maximise the value of the sale from the already consented 4MW Cuckmere Community Solar Farm in East Sussex. Grid connection capacity for this 4MW solar PV project is limited to 2.65MW. In addition the project needs to find ways to increase income from electricity generated, as the subsidy that was available from the FIT or RO is no longer available.
The study examined two options:
• Alternative grid connection options
• Sale of electricity to different customers
The combined impact of these options was assessed. The original connection offer from UKPN was at 11kV and sale to a licenced electricity supplier. The grid connection options assessed were:
1) Electricity sale to a licenced electricity supplier by connecting to the 33kV network,
which is a more conventional route;
2) Electricity sale and connection to SE Water at Arlington Reservoir;
3) Electricity sale to Network Rail and connection to Berwick Station.
This study included:
• Assessment of solar PV capacity and mounting arrangements;
• Assessment of solar PV generation in every half hour using Helioscope, an industry standard solar PV assessment tool
• Assessment of the grid connection routes and costs – including the benefits of using an Independent Connections Provider, a cheaper option than using the DNO
• Power Purchase Agreements and income assessment from SE Water and Network Rail
• Financial assessment of the costs and benefits of the 3 options
• Assessment of the financial impact of adding electricity storage to the solar PV site.
Heat pump feasibility study
Ricardo was commissioned by a local authority to investigate the feasibility of heat pumps for heating a sheltered housing facility. The facility had old electric storage heaters which needed replacing. The council wanted to replace them with a lower carbon heat source, and a ground study had already been undertaken. One of the objectives of the project was to review the study and provide recommendations to the council on the feasibility and suitability of the preferred heat source and to look at the current energy performance of the building.
We visited the site to gather the necessary information and undertook a feasibility study on different types of heat pumps, including ground source, air source heat, and shared loop heat pumps. Our study included option comparison and financial analysis, followed by a recommendation of the most suitable solution for the council to implement. Commentary on the feasibility of providing electricity to the heat pumps from rooftop solar PV was also provided in the final report.
Due diligence on 50MW/50MWh large battery investment
Our client was considering funding a 50MW/50MWh battery system. Two types of income stream were proposed:
1. Grid services: frequency support, capacity etc.
2. Sale of electricity to an EV charging hub.
Our team delivered technical assessment and delivery plan risks; and a business plan review, including revenue, capital and operating costs benchmarking. We also reviewed the grid connection and planning document and interviewed the project developer and their technology supplier.
Wind energy development on an island
We worked with a major media provider to develop a large-scale wind energy project that would generate electricity to power their strategic remote island site and support the island community. We supported the client at every stage of this development, including:
• The initial feasibility study examining all the renewable energy options that were applicable
• Detailed feasibility study on wind energy
• Development of the business case for the capital and project development budget £3k
• Monitoring of wind energy at the development site
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Support to apply for, and gain, planning approval
• Preparing the technical specification for the turbine purchasing contracts
• Valuation of tender returns