Energy Facility Development

Renewable Energy

The ESS Advantage

ESS has supported permitting and development of more than 4,000 MW in renewable energy for projects ranging in size from 100 kW to more than 1,000 MW. We have experience with a broad range of renewable technologies, and particular expertise in wind power and biomass generation. Current relationships with renewable industry clients, project engineers, and equipment suppliers give ESS practical, cutting edge expertise in all facets of renewable energy development.

Wind Energy

ESS wind energy projects include both community and commercial scale developments in offshore, coastal, and land-based settings. ESS is the lead environmental consultant for the Cape Wind Renewable Energy Project, currently the nation's largest proposed offshore wind farm facility. ESS has also supported permitting of single-turbine projects on developed coastal sites and multi-turbine arrays sited in rural agricultural and mountainous terrain. ESS specialty services for wind energy projects include:

• Avian and Bat Resource Inventories and Impact Assessments
• Noise Measurement and Impact Modeling
• Visual Simulations and Flicker Analysis
• Wind Resource Monitoring and Performance Analysis
• Grid Interconnection and Linear Transmission Siting
• Turbine Transportation Studies

Biomass and Other Renewable Energy Technologies

Over the past five years, ESS has conducted environmental permitting for multiple biomass power generation projects, some of which propose conversion of existing facilities to use waste materials as fuel. ESS has also provided site planning and environmental permitting for projects proposing solar, hydropower or geothermal energy as part of a larger residential, commercial, or industrial development. These proposed renewable energy projects include:

• Development of a construction and demolition waste-to-energy cogeneration facility
• Conversion of a gas-fired cogeneration plant to a 7 MW biomass facility fueled by wood waste
• Conversion of a former paper mill to a 68 MW biomass plant fueled by forest-industry byproducts
• Redevelopment of an urban brownfield as a business park with renewable energy components
• Development of a LEED-certified private home with geothermal heating
• Mixed-use redevelopment of an historic mill with a tidal turbine for power generation

Clean Energy Initiatives

ESS actively participates in regulatory and industry efforts to promote development of wind, hydropower, solar, biomass, and other renewable energy projects. ESS has actively participated in the development of Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (RPS) and helps renewable energy developers obtain alternative fuels and RPS qualification. ESS is also a member of several energy industry trade organizations and participates in government forums on renewable energy regulation, particularly related to offshore renewable energy development.