Case Studies

Introduction

Ecosulis ltd is an environmental consultancy and contracting company and has been designing and implementing practical solutions to meet clients’ objectives and regulatory requirements since 1990. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) team was established at Ecosulis following detailed consideration of the best way to approach environmental assessment.

Due to the nature of large energy sector projects there are a number of areas were our experience can be pivotal in securing consent for a scheme. Our EIA project managers are experienced in securing consent for projects under a number of differing regulatory regimes. As such we understand the variation in approach required; from non-EIA planning applications to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) right through to complex application to central government bodies.

We understand the complexity and various components which make up these schemes; for instance variation in plant technology, cooling options, the routing process for pipelines and challenges of grid connection. The approach we adopt is strategic and we believe that these schemes do really benefit from careful planning and risk management from the onset. Prior to the commencement of the EIA process and environmental surveys our involvement in project typically starts during the due diligence process assisting our client to evaluate and quantify environmental risks. Our involvement also benefits the evaluation of alternatives; for instance route and transport option studies.

Moving into the EIA stage of projects our project managers are experts in building teams, scoping and managing surveys and ensuring report are aligned with client objectives and engineering design. Our involvement does not stop there and we have considerable experience in the drafting of model conditions and the subsequent discharge of planning conditions.

Key Strengths

• Our business model allows integrated flexibility to build teams to suit a projects consenting requirements on a case by case basis;
• We provide a single point of contact for each project’s environmental requirements
• We are experienced in, and keep abreast of changes to, the consenting regime for National Significant Infrastructure projects;
• We have expertise in developing and implementing stakeholder engagement and consultation strategies;
• Our in-house ecologist have extensive experience of surveying brownfield development sites;
• We offer expertise in modelling and understanding the potential effects of nitrogen deposition contributing to the European Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) network on
• the measurement of the effect nitrogen deposition on biodiversity;
• We provide life cycle support throughout the whole planning authorisation cycle through to construction phase management and aftercare; and
• Integrated management system certified to the ISO 9001 quality standard and the ISO14001environmental management standard.

Selected Project Experience

Severn Power Ltd - The Severn Power Station

Supported the development of a 850MWe CCGT (Combined Cycle Gas Turbine) power station near Newport in South Wales. The new plant has been built on the footprint of the demolished Uskmouth “A”, next to the existing Uskmouth coal fired Power Plant, on the banks of the River Usk.

To connect the proposed power station to the national Transmission System (NTS) required the construction of new 450mm diameter pipeline; the first 4.5km of which is routed entirely within St Brides, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI, with the final 1.5km passed under the confluence of the River Usk Special Area of Conservation (SAC), SSSI and Severn Estuary Ramsar Site, Special Protection Area (SPA), proposed Special Area of Conservation (pSAC) and SSSI.

Roderick Ellison was project manager for the scheme and coordinated the production of four EIAs and extensive supporting information, including the assembly of information to inform Appropriate Assessments (as required under the Habitat Regulations). His role on the project was far broader than the project management of the EIA process with involvement in most facets of the scheme; including representing the client in divestiture due diligence, detailed input into contractual documents and overseeing construction stage environmental management.

Ecosulis co-ordinated comprehensive ecological surveys required to inform the development design and Environmental Statements (ES). Surveys included detailed botanical, great crested newt, reptile, breeding bird, wintering bird, aquatic invertebrate, badger, water vole and otter. Extensive consultation was undertaken with the Countryside Council for Wales and with specialist noise and vibration consultants assessing the potential impacts on the internationally important wintering birds and fish populations. Drafted a long-term ecological management plan for the wider site (83ha).

Carron Energy – Stor Project Portfolio

Ecosulis is currently supporting Carron Energy in the development of a portfolio of small specialist generation sites. The projects are typically 49 MWe open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) and are located in areas where National Grid requires frequency support. Our role has been to provide a one stop shop for Carron Energy for all stages of project development. This role starts with assisting in the process of identifying suitable sites, then actively evaluating environmental and planning risks associated with those sites then devising and implementing strategies to secure planning consent. We are currently managing planning application for a number of sites and have commenced work on the Environmental Permit application for another in Somerset.

Confidential Client – Due Diligence Audit of Potential CCGT Project Site

Rod Ellison recently coordinated a team of hydrological, geotechnical/contaminated land and legal specialists reviewing information made available within a virtual data room. The purpose of the review was to identify high-level risks which will in turn inform the tender submitted (or potentially declined) for the land/project by the client. The application site for the project is heavily contaminated and the review of the Section 36 application identified numerous procedural failings.

Confidential Client - Due Diligence of Proposed Energy from Waste Project

Provide a concise report format 48 hours post instruction summarising environmental risks associated with a land parcel and granted consents for an Energy from Waste (EFW) project. The review included a strategic level of risks associated with potential contaminated land, environmental survey methodology and the likelihood of being able to vary the consent granted to suit a revised scheme.