Detailed nature conservation surveys: battery storage and grid
Ecological surveys for battery storage and grid identify environmental impacts early and provide reliable foundations for planning and permitting.
Thorough nature conservation studies are indispensable for sustainable energy projects. We carry out surveys for storage and hybrid projects, including grid infrastructure and any substations that may be needed. Storage and grid connection also take up land and can affect habitats. We examine this early and deliver results that move planning and permitting forward. This way you avoid surprises in the procedure.
Our services comprise the systematic analysis of flora, fauna and habitats and the treatment of protected areas. Where necessary, we derive practical measures that minimise interventions in nature. The site of a storage facility or substation is usually smaller than a wind farm, yet access roads, cable routes, fencing and soil sealing can affect breeding birds, reptiles, amphibians, bats or protected plant populations. Depending on the state, projects in grassland, larger changes to the terrain, clearing, soil sealing and interventions near water bodies are the main ones relevant under nature conservation law.
Timing is decisive, because many species groups can only be recorded in certain time windows. The number, period and time of day of the surveys depend on the species group, the location and the technical requirements applicable in the respective federal state. Artificial hiding places are ideally put out the year before. Bats are recorded in weather suitable for the species and method concerned, with the criteria set in the survey programme; bat calls must be validated by specialists. For European hamster and European ground squirrel, the visits take place during their activity period; insects and plants are recorded in the suitable activity and vegetation periods. Dates, times and temperatures are documented, and deviations from the standards are agreed in advance with the official experts. Anyone who maps only shortly before submission may miss a time window and possibly loses a season. In the report, the location, age and sex of the animals are recorded for reptiles, photographic documentation of the checks for bats, and the location and activity of burrows for European hamsters.
Where protected areas are affected, the assessment of protection purpose and compatibility is added: within Natura 2000 sites, projects must be assessed for compatibility, and particularly strict rules apply in nature reserves. The result of the surveys feeds into the nature conservation specialist contribution for storage and grid. Which areas are needed for roads, fencing and cable routes is shown by the civil engineering concept. In parallel, the grid concept for storage plans the connection; combined projects are described by hybrid park planning with battery storage and grid. Natura 2000 consists of special protection areas for birds and habitats directive (FFH) sites; outside them, species protection rules also apply. Whether a notification or a nature conservation permit is required for buildings or walk-in covered structures in grassland depends on the respective provincial law and the circumstances of the project. Early contact with the responsible authority is recommended.
