Examples of Assignments and Projects
For Confidential Client: Solar Energy Project Development
Confidential Project • Michigan • 2021
- Perform additional site due diligence for client on previously identified solar energy site and begin landowner due diligence for large utility scale solar energy and storage project
- Map and recommend particular tracts of land for site to client
- Review and redline client’s solar energy lease with comments and suggestions for attorney
- Finalize lease with client and contact and meet with selected landowners
- Send Lease packages with Client information to landowners, and introduce landowners to client
- Project is under initial stages of development and land acquisition/site control
For Confidential Client: Site Due Diligence – Three Potential Wind Energy Sites
Confidential Project • Michigan • 2021
- Drive three sites with client and assess terrain, possible permitting issues, likely size of project turbine spacing vs. interconnection voltage and substation costs
- Map sites, recommend further due diligence and possible development on one site
For Confidential Client: Quick Limited Site Due Diligence for Solar Project
Confidential Project • Upper Midwest • 2020
- Examine PJM Queue in 8 counties surrounding project site
- Download Reliability and System Impact Studies for several withdrawn projects to examine system issues, congestion, and cost of upgrades
- Advise on pros and cons for connection on 69 kV vs. 138 kV line
- Examine FEMA flood zones impact on leased acreage
- Comment on Point of Interconnection vs. leased acreage
- Comment on pros and cons to apply during 1st vs. 2nd annual study cycle for PJM
- Follow up with analysis of System Impact and Reliability Studies on Competing Projects
- Comment on pros and cons for interconnection on 138 kV vs. 69 kV based on study outcomes for competing projects
For Confidential Client: Extensive Site Due Diligence for Solar Energy
Confidential Project • Upper Midwest • 2020
- Screen 40+ potential solar energy sites for client using agreed criteria
- MISO, examined regional load, supply and demand and transmission capacities and upgrades for each site
- Determine probable land suitability and land availability for siting
- Examine State and local ordinances regarding solar energy
- Examine existing or planned solar development and competition at each site
- Drive top sites, meet with county and township officials, and select three top sites
- Write report for client, and review same with client in presentation
For Confidential Client: Due Diligence of Several Possible Wind Sites
Confidential Project • Michigan • 2019
- Mapped Sites, drove sites with client, made written recommendations on further due diligence
- Examined Client’s wind lease, made red line to wind lease with detailed suggestions for attorney
For Confidential Client: Wind Project Acquisition Due Diligence
Confidential Project • Kansas • 2013
- Review extensive list of documents from data room provided by client and make comments on each document for client
- Conduct conference call with county planning and zoning administrator and client
- Make site visit to county planning and zoning office to conduct further due diligence on permits, maps, and data collection
- Drive site, and document topography and site features via photos and notes, GPS coordinates
- Conduct cursory investigation of available transmission lines adjacent to the project area
- Draft report of findings concerning conclusions from due diligence and site visit
- Participate in short conference call with client and developer of the wind project
For Confidential Client: Wind Project Development
Confidential Project • Texas • 2011-2012
- Review wind lease and assist in redline and redraft. Work with attorney to revise wind lease
- Review access roads to site, and assist client in obtaining survey and due diligence, assist in negotiation of required easements for access road
- Review and redline draft TSA and comment and assist client in selecting turbine locations and layout
- Draft term sheet with attorney for BOP construction contract, manage RFP, conduct site visits for contractors, advise client and assist client in review and selection of BOP/EPC provider for project. Assist client with negotiations with several contractors. Work with team including attorney on multiple drafts of BOP construction contract and exhibits to create final draft of BOP/EPC contract for project
- Research engineering methodology and consultants to assist client and attorney in draft language and appendix for BOP contract acceptance testing to address specification of medium voltage power collection system and high voltage transmission line and transformer losses and measurement and contractual penalties for shortfall in line loss standards
- Screen existing interconnection work in various ISO's
- Review ERCOT interconnection application with team and make comments and recommendations on application
- Meet with client and AEP in Tulsa to discuss ERCOT interconnection – participate in feasibility study screening meeting
- Research O&M providers, draft RFP, manage RFP, advise client and assist client and attorney in execution of O&M agreement, and Warranty and Maintenance agreement with selected O&M company
- Make two week trip to international office to discuss turbine supply and TSA with Turbine Supplier
- As a member of the project team, present project to nine banks in New York to discuss financing for the project
For Confidential Client: PJM Interconnection Application
Confidential Project • Ohio • 2011
- Conducted site visit and selected three possible points of interconnection with client
- Assisted Client in selecting a primary and secondary points of interconnection for application
- Drafted preliminary layout for wind turbines and confirmed MW capacity possible for interconnection application
- Assisted client in discussions with several wind turbine manufacturers to select wind turbine for electrical characteristics and economic modeling
- Led team to prepare detailed generation characteristics data sheet, and LGIA interconnection application for PJM ISO and assisted client to file and obtain queue position
- Project is currently in the PJM Queue and has completed its feasibility study and its system impact study
Feasibility Study for Roof Top Solar Project for Major Fortune 50 Manufacturer
Confidential Client • Illinois • 2011
- Made site visit to large 70,000 square foot manufacturing facility to gather electrical use data and inspect roof top
- Conducted due diligence of property tax and zoning ordinances
- Researched impact on O&M costs for seasonal removal of ice and snow
- Conducted due diligence of published solar insolation (DNI) data for Chicago, Illinois
- Modeled several photovoltaic modules suited to highest efficiency/kwh output in limited square footage applications
- Made economic evaluation of efficiency and output gains for dual axis tracking vs. operability and added O&M costs during ice and snow conditions to assess cost/benefit analysis
- Constructed solar energy financial model to simulate economics for a rooftop project using either company owned or PPA structures
- Client is evaluating project feasibility
Evaluation of Solar Lease/Sale of Land for Solar Project
Confidential Client • Texas • 2011
- Evaluated Term Sheet and Solar Lease/Purchase proposal for Landowner and referred Landowner to attorney
- Conducted due diligence on solar insolation (DNI) data for site in Southwest
- Modeled estimate of installed capacity and production for a very large acreage site
- Recommended commercial structure for payments
- Assessed risk profile and value profile for lease scenario vs. sale scenario
- Prepared report for landowner with ideas for negotiating strategy
Wind Energy Consultant for Confidential Client on Asset Sale of 185 MW Project
Ohio • 2010
- Made Site visit and made recommendations on project development activities and leasing
- Advised client on retaining legal counsel for review of purchase and sale agreement
- Made extensive review and redlined draft Purchase and Sale Agreement, and non-interference agreement and forwarded to client and attorney for discussion
- Called Client's attention to key commercial risk issues and key valuation issues
- Worked with retained legal counsel and Client on final redline and negotiating strategy
- Project was successfully marketed and has been announced as a $345 million, 185 MW project under advanced development
Consultant for Major International Utility: Land Acquisition and Permitting
Illinois • 2008-2011
- Made suggestions to client and attorney on legal documents and requested title searches, and conducted document execution process with landowners to secure long term leases
- Met with landowner groups and individual landowners to present client's project
- Advised and assisted client in addressing landowner questions and contacts
- Assisted client in leasing and closing on 15,000 acres capable of supporting a project of 160 Mw's
- Attended local county zoning meetings with client and provide suggestions and advice on permitting
- Project is under development
Consultant For Major International Utility: Land Acquisition and Permitting
Illinois • 2005-2008
- Assisted client in securing a large acreage position capable of supporting a wind project ranging from 370 to 400+ wind turbines (740-800 MW's in three separate project developments)
- The first 300 MW's of Iberdrola's Streator Cayuga Ridge South has been constructed and is operating
- Iberdrola Renewables signs its largest PPA ever with TVA, power to come from Illinois' largest wind farm (see press release)
- TVA has begun transmitting 300 megawatts of renewable wind power to its customers, generated at Iberdrola Renewables Inc.'s Streator Cayuga Ridge wind park in Livingston County, IL
- Iberdrola Renewables filed a special use permit application for the 165-turbine Streator Deer Run Wind Farm located on 23,000 acres (see news article)
- Livingston County Zoning Board recommends Streator Deer Run Wind Farm
- Below is a video tour of a wind turbine in the Cayuga Ridge Wind Farm in Livingston County, Illinois
Consultant Mount Hays Wind Farm: Project Development and Management
British Columbia, Canada • 2006
- Performed due diligence and made suggestions on project economic model
- Consulted with Management on bid strategy and pricing range for bid on BC Hydro RFP - Client was awarded and subsequently executed a PPA with BC Hydro
- Analyzed construction cost estimates and turbine supply quotes for Mount Hays Team
- Drafted Balance of Plant RFP contract document outlining scope, roles and responsibilities, and specifications for construction of Mount Hays Project
- Made document review and provided comments on turbine supply quotes
- Project awaiting construction
Consultant for Wind Site Feasibility Study at Four Sites on Native Lands
Arizona • 2005
- Conducted site visits to four potential wind project sites located on or near Native American lands
- Estimated and confirmed likely range of capacity possible at each site
- Performed due diligence on State and Native Reservation zoning, taxes, and permitting requirements
- Built economic models for each project site
- Drafted report outlining project sizes, capital and operating costs, preliminary list of permits required, discussed overall project feasibility at each site
- Arizona Daily Sun article: Sempra looking at Gray Mountain
Consultant Harvest Wind Farm: Project Development and Management
Michigan • 2004-2006
- Advised in site selection, and performed a site feasibility study and evaluation for client
- Built project economic model and project information package
- Assisted in selection and partnering with a major fortune 500 company for development
- Initiated and facilitated transmission interconnection application process for client with MISO
- Spoke at Oliver Township Zoning meeting in support of client's local WECS permitting efforts
- Provided advice and oversight of environmental due diligence for site with environmental consultant
- Reviewed, screened, and advised client on several RFP's for power purchase agreements
- Advised client in retaining other consultants for project
In June, 2007, the Harvest Wind Farm project was announced to the public in a press release from John Deere Wind Energy, the principal owner and partner in developing the wind energy project with Trintek's client, Michigan Wind, LLC.
In addition, Wolverine Power Cooperative in Cadillac, Michigan announced a long term agreement to buy wind generated power from the Harvest Wind Farm.
Great Lakes Aerial Photos has a very nice slide show of Harvest Wind Farm, even including the on-site construction of wind turbine units.
See YouTube videos of the Harvest Wind Farm:
Virtual Tour video
Great Lakes Energy video
News video
On-site construction and completion video
Consultant Buffalo Mountain Wind Energy Project: Project Manager
Tennessee • 2003
- Consulted and managed overall project development on 15 turbine, 27 MW project located in mountainous terrain
- Performed due diligence and made recommendations on project economic model and state and local tax assumptions, and selection of wind turbine supplier
- Performed due diligence on power purchase agreement and project site
- Negotiated professional services agreement with local law firm and performed due diligence on project permits
- Negotiated project site easement with The Coal Creek Mining and Manufacturing Company
- Negotiated waivers of setback from property line with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency
- Defined, structured, and negotiated wind turbine supply contract and long term parts and services/warrantee agreement with Vestas American Wind Technology
- Prepared detailed RFP for balance of plant EPC construction and conducted site tours for EPC bidders
- Evaluated balance of plant bids and made recommendations for selection of contractors
- Assisted in structuring EPC balance of plant contract
- Assisted in drafting the memorandum of financing and contacted potential project lenders
- Project was financed by Dexia Bank and has been commercially operating since 2003
See press releases for the Buffalo Mountain Wind Energy Project that Trintek participated in as a project development consultant in 2003. The completed Buffalo Mountain Wind Energy Project was also featured in this TVA Q&A press release.
Image credit: Qtarvel
The turbines (windmills) at the Buffalo Mountain site above Coal Creek generate enough electricity to power over 4000 homes. The larger turbines are about 260 feet tall, and the blades are 135 feet long. They have a capacity of 1.8 megawatts each.