Wind farm feasibility study and micrositing
Wind farm feasibility study: we assess spatial planning, nature conservation, grid connection and investment costs as a robust decision basis.
Before you invest, we create clarity. With our feasibility studies for wind energy you receive a robust decision basis on the implementation potential of your project, transparent, practical and economically sound. The study does not replace detailed planning; it shows whether further steps are worthwhile and which assumptions still need to be secured.
Our EWS catalogue of criteria analyses and evaluates all project-relevant factors: from spatial planning and nature conservation aspects to the assessment of the grid connection point and a traceable investment cost estimate. You receive meaningful assessments and recommendations for the next steps, in Austria and in Germany. A feasibility study checks whether the site conditions fit together: where are areas that come into question under planning law, what distances to residential areas must be observed, which protected assets are affected and how far away is the grid connection point? Spatial planning is also examined. Under the UVP-G, wind turbines are to be built primarily on areas of the supra-local wind energy spatial plan of the respective federal province. In Styria, for example, there are priority and suitable zones as well as exclusion zones in which turbines are not permitted. The study shows whether the project lies in a suitable zone and which steps, such as rezoning (Umwidmung) or the consent of the host municipality, would otherwise be needed. Added to this is the question of whether the project's capacity triggers an obligation to carry out an EIA.
Micrositing, that is, the positioning of the individual wind turbines at the site, is part of this feasibility study for the wind farm. Generation is the most important planning parameter, because it influences economic viability more strongly than infrastructure costs. Computational layout optimisation is therefore worthwhile even for small yield gains. Wind turbines should not stand too close together, otherwise wake losses and turbulence rise, and with them the mechanical loads. With a pronounced main wind direction, larger distances along the wind direction and closer ones across it make sense. Required distances are planned on a site- and turbine-specific basis, whereby the specifications of the turbine manufacturers must also be observed. Added to this are noise, the assessment of which depends on mode of operation, wind conditions and background noise, as well as shadow flicker and visibility of the turbines. The study yields a clear recommendation: pursue further, adapt the variant or abandon. This too saves effort if it is available early. The better wind measurement data, nature conservation assessment and grid information work together, the more reliable the forecast becomes.
The grid also determines the layout. Wind farms are generally cabled via medium voltage in strings, and a fault in one string disconnects all turbines connected to it. Difficult ground, poor access roads and long grid connections drive up costs. The starting point is usually the potential area analysis; the yield basis is created by wind measurement using mast, LiDAR or SoDAR. Nature conservation topics are clarified early by the nature conservation pre-assessment, and feed-in by the load profile analysis. The site suitability of the wind turbines then follows. For photovoltaics there is the feasibility study with layout plan.
