news
Natural Power launch OceanPod for offshore data collection
July 2009
Leading international renewable energy consultancy, Natural Power, have launched a new offshore data collection platform called OceanPod, improving the design, planning and environmental stages of windfarms offshore. The platform is a versatile solution providing developers with a single solution for:
- Remote wind resource assessment utilising the industry leading laser anemometer ZephIR®
- Wave and tidal design data collection and interpretation
- Marine mammal surveys
- Bird and bat detection radar 24 hr year round surveys
- Weather data collection and interpretation
- Navigation survey
- Visual observations
- Scour measurement ( where applicable)
- Vessel management, and live data feed
- Health and safety
Jeremy Sainsbury, Director and Head of Offshore Strategy at Natural Power launched the product at BWEA Offshore Wind 2009 in June commenting: “Natural Power have been approached by numerous clients enquiring about offshore data collection services and survey methodologies. We have now taken the lead in providing a turnkey product which acts as a single interface for offshore wind developers who need to maximise the investment made in the offshore infrastructure used for data collection in Round 3, by collecting a wide range of data from the marine environment to help de-risk the design and EIA process. Companies within the industry are collaborating to deliver holistic products to the market. Through OceanPod we shall be contracting and working closely with a number of key providers in the sector, including the SeaRoc Group, FERA and SMRU to provide a first class product to the industry."
OceanPod have already begun working closely with SMRU Ltd to include real time detection and identification of marine mammals, and with FERA (the Food and Environment Research Agency) to include bird detection radar, identification software, and interpretation . Natural Power’s ZephIR laser anemometer will also be used for remote wind resource assessment accurately recording data up to 200 metres from sea level. Clients are able to choose from the range of options above which data sets they wish to gather and OceanPod will provide, install and operate the appropriate platform in a range of water depths and sea states to match the individual requirements of the client and the site.
For more information on OceanPod why not sayhello@naturalpower.com
Natural Power acquire stake in SeaRoc Group
May 2009
Leading international renewable energy consultancy, Natural Power, have acquired a 25% stake in marine, engineering and offshore specialists, SeaRoc, following almost twelve months successful operation under a framework agreement offering combined expertise to the renewable energy sector.
Stuart Hall, Director and founder of Natural Power now also sits on the SeaRoc board and noted : “We are delighted that the agreement has worked so well to date. Acquiring a stake in this successful business is a natural step forward for us which will help bring our two organisations closer together over time.”
SeaRoc are heavily involved in a large number of offshore projects in the UK and further afield as well as being actively involved with developing guidelines and standards for the industry engaging with both government and industry bodies. Their growing team of mariners and engineers has extensive experience of the complete marine project lifecycle allowing them to offer clients a wide range of services focused on delivering offshore renewable projects safely and efficiently. Natural Power’s experience ranges from 15,000MW of site identification and portfolio appraisals (including securing over 1,200MW of offshore wind farm consents on behalf of their clients) through to operating more than 10% of the UK’s installed capacity for utilities and independent power producers. Their current offshore project involvement ranges from technical, development and asset management services on Round 1, 2 and 3 sites in the UK for a number of clients, to the provision of ZephIR laser anemometers for offshore wind data collection in Europe and North America.
Natural Power have also been involved in assisting clients in preparing tenders for The Crown Estate’s Pentland Firth marine energy tender process, including the provision of high-resolution wave and tidal energy resource mapping, analysis and array design services.
Peter Hodgetts, Chief Executive of SeaRoc, welcomed the partnership : “With the benefits of our joint experience in both in offshore and onshore projects we believe we can deliver real benefits to customers with innovative and robust solutions. The synergies between our companies naturally complement each other’s well established skills and product developments. We are confident that the relationship will provide an integrated range of services through the project life cycle.
Natural Power and SeaRoc are co-sponsoring this year’s BWEA Offshore event in June where they will announce forthcoming new products and services.
Natural Power’s Jeremy Sainsbury announced as one of Scotland’s top ‘green champions’
April 2009
The Scottish Sustainable Development Forum has put together the first Scottish Green List after inviting nominations from the public. Over the course of this week, The Scotsman has revealed the 50 winners.
Jeremy Sainsbury was awarded a ‘top ten’ spot for being part of the management team at Natural Power that has driven the company to success taking the staff count from six to over 100, spread across eight offices worldwide. The company, one of Scotland’s leading independent renewable energy consultants, is responsible for designing, consenting, constructing and managing a long list of wind farms across Scotland and worldwide for a wide range of international clients.
Commenting on his 8th place, Sainsbury noted: “It has been a great privilege to support Natural Power’s growth and continued success in renewables. Working in this industry has been both challenging and rewarding over the past ten years but has been made much easier and more enjoyable by the team I work with at Natural Power both at The Green House, our head office in Scotland, and across our international offices.”
Professor James Curran, chairman of the Scottish Sustainable Development Forum, praised all the winners, saying: "It is individuals like these that need to be thanked, celebrated, encouraged and supported all across Scotland."
Natural Power and Opale EN announce partnership for wind farms in France
February 2009
Leading international renewable energy consultancy, Natural Power, and experienced French development consultancy, Opale EN, announced today the signing of a framework agreement to offer their combined expertise to the renewable energy sector in France.
Natural Power will provide their full suite of technical products and services on Opale’s extensive client portfolio of development projects in France. In addition the partnership will see Opale offering their team’s proven experience in developing and consenting sites successfully across France. Both companies see real synergies in their approach to projects which centres heavily on local community involvement throughout the project lifecycle.
Oisin Brady, Managing Director of Natural Power’s French office added: “We are very excited to begin working closely with Opale. The development team have a very impressive track record in France which, when coupled with our in-depth technical knowledge, creates a unique Development and Due Diligence offering in the region. There are a number of international investors who have requested these services already."
Jean Pierre Laurent, Director of Opale EN, also welcomed the agreement commenting: “This really is a fantastic opportunity for both companies as well as the industry in France. Natural Power’s total project experience really complements our own services in developing successful sites for our clients.”
Natural Power awarded “Contractor of the Year”
February 2009
On the 21st January international renewable energy consultancy Natural Power won the coveted award of Contractor of the Year by E.ON Climate & Renewables. The Rule One Club award is in recognition of Natural Power’s Asset Management team who have provided consistently high standards in their approach to site safety.
“Natural Power has an extremely positive attitude towards safety which has resulted in an excellent safety record” commented David Rogers, E.ON Regional Director. “They have been conscientious in their work activities both in the operations of the wind farms and with their flexible assistance with other work, for example in the commissioning of the Robin Rigg on-shore network, our site civil programme and with our security issues. Significantly, they have not had any injuries on our sites this year.
The company currently manages a portfolio of six sites for E.ON including Bowbeat in Scotland and Out Newton in England. Arthur Daly, H&S Manager at Natural Power collected the award noting “We have always taken pride in the safe manner in which we manage wind farms for clients. Natural Power now operate over 10% of the UK’s installed wind capacity and with that job comes responsibility. We have built a strong relationship with E.ON both for gaining successful consents such as the 50MW Camster Wind Farm last week, as well as operating their sites to the highest standards.’
Part of the prize won by Natural Power is a donation to charity and all competitive contractors have made pledges to donate to the winner’s charity - Cancer and Leukaemia in Children (CLIC).
Natural Power achieve planning consent for E.ON’s wind farm in Scotland
January 2009
On the 14th January it was confirmed that Camster wind farm in Caithness has been successfully consented, with Natural Power acting as the lead consultant on behalf of E.ON. The proposed 25 turbine wind farm, capable of producing up to 50MW, is located between Lybster and Watten. The site has received final approval from the Highland Council after a four year planning process.
Natural Power provided a number of vital services to E.ON on this project notably community liaison including council meetings and access landowner negotiations. The international renewable energy consultancy also led on the revised access planning application, Highland Council Planning Authority liaison and presenting the project to the local community. Extensive consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage on the ecology in the area was a key element to the project receiving a clean bill of health from the consultee.
“Natural Power is well known for our work within local communities on behalf of developers. This coupled with our extensive practical experience of progressing sites onshore has helped maintain our 100% success rate for gaining consent for clients over the past 13 years” said Giles Dearden, Head of Development at Natural Power.
Simon Eddleston, development manager for E.ON's UK onshore wind projects, said: "This is excellent news for us and for Scotland, especially considering how long the project's been in planning. This is a major development for us and it's clearly a key development for the UK's renewable targets as it will displace around 72,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year."
Natural Power continue to work with E.ON on a number of other projects including Rosehall Wind Farm, providing pre-construction consultation having consented the site in 2006, and the proposed Bowbeat Wind Farm extension, providing site design, public consultation, EIA production and Planning Authority liaison.
Natural Power to provide key consultancy support on npower renewables’ 1.2GW offshore wind farm
January 2009
Renewables developer npower renewables has appointed Natural Power as a key consultant at the pre-planning stage on Triton Knoll Wind Farm, located approximately 33km (18 nautical miles) off the Lincolnshire coast in the Greater Wash.
Natural Power’s commission forms part of a multi-consultancy consortia which is led by construction company KBR. This collaboration between multiple firms is a reflection of the broad base of skills necessary for the development of offshore wind energy; Natural Power will specifically contribute their proven skills in offshore wind resource assessment, wind data collection, energy yield prediction and turbine layout optimisation.
“On large offshore wind projects such as Triton Knoll, we are finding that the industry is increasingly working together through multi-consultancy partnerships to address the need for a wide knowledge base and to ensure that engineering, environmental and economic considerations are fully addressed from the initiation of the development process ” says Neil Douglas, Technical Director at Natural Power. “We are uniquely positioned to offer design, development, construction and operational expertise of onshore and offshore wind farms and are proud to be supporting npower renewables and KBR on this project. We are confident that Triton Knoll will greatly benefit from Natural Power’s experience in offshore wind farm design and development and our complete life-cycle consultancy capabilities”.
The Pre-FEED (Front End Engineering Design) Study that is currently being undertaken will be used by npower renewables to inform the future FEED, detailed design and environmental activities of the development.
Natural Power acquires partner in Chile
January 2009
Natural Power, a leading international renewable energy consultancy, has acquired the Chilean firm LatWind Eolica Latinoamericana Ltda; the acquisition provides Natural Power with a base in Latin America to expand into the burgeoning renewables market there. For a year prior to the acquisition, LatWind has worked as an agent for Natural Power. “We will continue working as before but now have access to more experienced wind energy professionals and new techniques within the industry. Natural Power helps us create value for our clients and generate know-how locally” commented Alexander von Pescatore, one of the co-founders of Latwind. “We have the local connections and cultural understanding; Natural Power add their tremendous global experience in the industry. It’s a complete solution that reduces the uncertainties of designing and taking projects through to successful operation”. Wind power is a relatively new resource in Latin America so the primary focus of Natural Power Chile in the forthcoming years will be feasibility studies, permitting of client’s projects and project development - areas where Natural Power has extensive experience already. "Chile offers the best business platform to enter in the emerging wind energy market in South America and this is why Natural Power have decided to open a satellite office here”, says Miguel Mansilla, Natural Power’s business liaison manager for South America. “Through our existing local partnership with LatWind we have created Natural Power S.A (NPSA). LatWind’s local experience is already producing a portfolio of wind, wave and tidal consultancy work which will grow to include projects in neighbouring countries in the near future".
UK's first independent wind farm Operational Control Centre goes live
August 2008
Leading international renewable energy consultancy Natural Power switched on the UK's first independent Operational Control Center (OCC) today, helping to keep wind farms safe and controlled for all staff on site.
Graham West, Operational Controller, is part of the OCC team who ensure operational control of wind farms from 6am to 10pm 365 days a year providing site access control, work control, weather watch, outage notifications and emergency co‐ ordination. Natural Power, who already operate 10% of the UK's installed capacity will initially provide this service to three clients assisting them in implementing the BWEA Wind Turbine Safety Rules (WTSR) and other Health and Safety requirements on their sites.
Commenting on the launch, Scott MacKenzie, Head of Asset Management at Natural Power said "As a leading provider of wind farm asset management services we are constantly looking to enhance the range of services and products we can offer. We have spent a significant amount of time developing the OCC in response to our existing Clients health, safety and work control needs. We are particularly pleased with the rounded site management service which the OCC facilitates. It also enhances our existing site management services and our performance analysis / executive reporting tool Melogale™, to the benefit of existing and new clients. Through the OCC we can now provide independent wind farm owners with the kind of full site management service previously enjoyed only by utilities, without the additional cost risk and inconvenience of attempting to manage site operations under the WTSR as an internally managed function."
One site owner, Fred. Olsen Renwables Ltd (FORL) has employed Natural Power as Site Managers for a number of years and now plan to use the OCC across all their UK sites. Anders Falkfjell, Head of Operations and Maintenance at FORL noted that "Safety of staff and contractors working on FORL sites is our highest priority so naturally the full implementation of BWEAs Wind Turbine Safety Rules across our portfolio is essential. We considered many options both internally and externally before determining that the OCC provided by Natural Power is the most efficient and cost effective way for FORL to ensure that our work practises follow the safety standards set out in the WTSR. The OCC does not only help us to enhance our health and safety management, we also expect to see increased turbine availability as a result of a more structured and disciplined approach across our portfolio of sites."
New office marks the start of new era for Natural Power in Wales
July 2008
Aberystwyth, Wales – Natural Power Consultants Ltd were delighted to announce a move to their new Welsh office in Technium Aberystwyth which forms part of the Technium Wales network, a series of technology‐led business incubation environments.
Natural Power have been operating in Wales since 2005, when it opened an office in Aberystwyth, and with increasing demand for full lifecycle wind consultancy services, the company has grown significantly in Wales, across the UK & Europe in general and across North America.
Commenting on the office opening John Woodruff, Senior Development Manager at Natural Power's Welsh office noted that "we needed larger premises because we have grown quickly and successfully by gaining significant new contracts for development work in Wales and recruiting locally – in fact our two latest additions to the family both graduated from the University at Aberystwyth and are from west Wales families. It is great that we can employ local talent to work on local projects."
For the last three years Natural Power have been working on a number of wind energy development projects in Wales including the 40MW wind farm at Brenig, recently passed for approval by Denbighshire Council, and other major projects coming forward across Wales.
"Our construction department is also now established in Wales too" added John, "They are working on Carno 2 and Moel Moelogan wind farms and about to start other projects further south. In fact we are looking for an additional construction project manager right now".