From initial concept through to final approval, we partner with clients at every stage of the project lifecycle – bringing deep technical expertise and an unwavering commitment to excellence that ensures every detail is handled with precision and care.
Project Development
Green Cat Renewables has extensive experience in project development. We have a comprehensive understanding of the technical and environmental considerations involved with the development of renewable energy and storage projects. Our team is highly adept in navigating constraints to provide reliable and meaningful site selection recommendations to our clients.
The first step in the development of any renewable, or power generation, project is conducting a feasibility assessment to analyse project viability and gain an understanding of development risk. Drawing on our full range of in-house capabilities, GCR produce and deliver comprehensive studies, customised to individual client requirements.
A feasibility assessment would include the following:
The feasibility assessment clearly identifies a proposed plan for the development of the project, which allows our clients to make strategic decisions with regards to progressing the project to the next stage.
The design and optimisation of a renewable or power generation project is an iterative process. This process utilises the results of site-specific environmental assessment work, GIS constraints mapping, observations from site visits and site investigation, a constructability review, stakeholder and regulatory authority input, public engagement, input from the technology provider and the resource of the site. GCR have experience designing unique sites with varying capacity, topography, climate, and environmental concerns. As a result, we have hands-on experience in dealing with, and finding solutions for, a wide range of often complex environmental, technical, and engineering constraints.
As an engineering consultancy specialising in renewable development, GCR utilise industry knowledge and technical capabilities to assist our clients in the selection of appropriate technology solutions for their projects. We are experienced in technology selection for wind, solar, hydro and BESS projects. services.
Renewable energy from wind, solar and hydro are inherently affected by the frequency, intensity and variability of the basic energy resource. As intermittent sources of energy, dependent upon local weather patterns and seasonal variability, robust and bankable resource assessments form the backbone to every renewable energy project.
Our technical analysts are well versed in wind, solar and hydro resource assessments, applying industry accepted statistical methodologies to both measured and modelled data, to develop realistic resource projections for specific site locations. Specialist software packages are used to inform our assessments, which include WindPRO, Openwind, Windographer, amongst others.
A robust resource assessment enables sensible energy yield forecasts to be derived, considering technology specifications and the effects of ancillary infrastructure. These form the basis for projecting key investment metrics, such as P50, P90 and P99 energy yield estimates over the commercial lifetime of a project.
GCR support grid interconnections across all types of energy generation projects. Our team of electrical engineers and grid specialists provide technical expertise and advice on all electrical aspects of the project, from initial feasibility to commercial operation (COD). At the initial feasibility stage our team are able to provide strategy and advice for locating generation projects (based on our knowledge and understanding of the grid networks), advise our clients on potential competing capacity, assist in navigating the interconnection process, and lead discussions with the network operators to progress the project.
As more variable generation is introduced onto the grid, the management of networks becomes more complex. GCR work with the various network operators to provide innovative and flexible grid solutions, such as Active Network Management, for connecting renewable generation. On the technology side, GCR is also actively involved in hybrid generation, combining renewables such as wind and solar, or combining renewables with storage, or non-renewable generation, to ‘level out’ the variable generation profile when renewable projects are independent and isolated.
A key aspect of the development of any renewable energy or power generation project is navigating the permitting process. The permitting process will follow guidance and legislation laid out at the Federal, Provincial/State and Municipal levels. To ensure project success, it is vital to have a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and how these may impact project size, location, and type. The GCR team have significant expertise in providing project specific permitting strategy advice, which is tailored to the needs of our clients. For further details please refer to our Permitting services above.
GCR provides due diligence technical services to both prospective private equity investors and lenders alike, for renewable energy and power generation projects. GCR utilise “on-the-ground” experience to analyse renewable energy and power generation proposals at pre-construction and operational phases, as well as completing construction stage monitoring for our clients.
Our due diligence reviews are tailored to the needs of the investor or lender, with risks and issues analysed to reflect the needs and priorities for a broad range of stakeholders, including the long-term equity investor, senior debt, and subordinate debt providers.
Typical subjects covered in our due diligence reviews may include:
Diligent asset management of operational projects ensures project assets are regularly maintained, and faults are rapidly rectified. In turn, the availability of a site can be maximised, resulting in increased revenue generation for the investor.
GCR provides asset management services to utility scale solar and wind projects. The scope of services is adapted to individual projects and asset owners, who may have differing monitoring and reporting requirements to satisfy company boards, shareholders, and debt providers.
Our Facility Management services include:
Engineering Design
The Green Cat Renewables team provide engineering design services to our clients. We primarily work on wind, solar, energy storage and hydro energy projects, but also support conventional power generation and heavy industrial projects. Our capabilities cover a complete project lifecycle, from concept and early design stage feasibility to preliminary engineering throughout detail engineering, construction, pre-commissioning, and commissioning support. We have extensive experience with the design and optimisation of renewable energy systems in both standalone and hybrid projects. Our goal is to add value to our clients with bespoke and practical design solutions for the specific location, environment, and scale.
Our in-house grid team has a broad range of experience across all types of renewable and conventional generation projects in multiple disciplines (North America and Europe). We are available to provide technical expertise and advice on all aspects of the project interconnection process including:
We provide clients with full design drawing packages, fully customised to your project requirements. We conduct, manage and review drafting tasks and Swept Path Analysis for projects, as well as managing documents and drawing registers.
Green Cat Renewables Europe has experience in mechanical design, including the creation of technical drawings and 3D models of components and systems, providing realistic models for visualisation, integration, and simulation. We have capacity for 2D design including detailed schematics, layouts, and fabrication drawings.
Green Cat Renewables Europe has extensive experience in executing wind turbine load calculations for design and certification of a wind turbine. Combined with our expertise on controller design, we can determine the optimal balance between maximising energy yield and minimizing structural loading.
Wind turbine controller design involves developing algorithms and control strategies that regulate the behaviour of wind turbines. Controllers ensure optimal performance, stability, and safety by adjusting blade pitch and generated power in response to a change in rotor speed, blade loads and tower-top acceleration. Green Cat Renewables Europe personnel have over fifteen years experience in wind turbine controller design.
We conduct Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations to assess the strength, durability, and stability of renewable energy components like turbine towers and solar panel frames. FEM predicts how these components respond to vibrations, loads, and environmental stresses.
We evaluate the structural impact of manufacturing defects and damage. For example, how misalignments, cracks, and voids that may have been introduced during fabrication, or damage from transport or installation affect structural integrity. By simulating these imperfections with FEM and other tools, our engineers determine whether components and structures can be safely used.
We have strategic partnerships with experienced industry professionals to complete all scopes of geotechnical design related to renewable energy projects.
We provide our clients with detailed civil designs throughout all stages of project development. We have extensive experience in unique and challenging environments, including the Arctic and remote islands.
We provide our clients with project layouts and site designs throughout the development process. With CAD and GIS software, we customize the layout to our client’s needs, utilizing publicly available data and mapping resources to optimize the layout. As the project progresses through the design lifecycle, additional details and design features are added to satisfy the overall development process.
We have the electrical engineering capabilities and experience to provide design and engineering support across all types of energy projects. Our team of electrical engineers and grid specialists provide technical expertise and advice on all electrical aspects of the project from initial feasibility to commercial operation, including:
Design optimisation is an iterative process, which utilises the results of site-specific environmental assessment work, GIS constraints mapping, observations from site visits, constructability, stakeholder and regulatory authority input, public engagement, input from the technology provider and the resource of the site.
Energy system design and analysis encompass the holistic planning and evaluation of renewable energy systems, including component sizing, integration, grid compatibility, and control strategies. Green Cat Renewables Europe can perform integral energy system analysis, leveraging professional software, technical expertise and a comprehensive understanding.
Owner’s Engineering Services
Green Cat Renewables provides an ‘end-to-end’ owner’s engineer service.
GCR has experience with data management, BoM’s (Bills of Materials), configuration management, and design changes. This includes the efficient setup of Product Data Management (PDM) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems to organise relevant data.
PDM focuses on managing CAD files, BoMs, revision control, and documentation. PLM integrates product development processes, from concept and design to manufacturing, maintenance, and end-of-life.
These systems enhance collaboration, reduce errors, and consolidate compliance.
Preliminary Design
Starting with civil and electrical conceptual designs, to array layout options, GCR’s engineering team provide detailed insights based on site specific conditions and previous project experience
Design Management
Services include the technical review and management of various disciplines including civil, electrical, structural, and geotechnical designs.
Equipment Procurement
Starting with the procurement of technology, all the way to Balance of Plant (BoP) procurement, GCR supports clients with the tendering process and development of technical documents, alongside legal advisors.
Contracting Strategy
Every project is unique, with specific constraints and risks, warranting a carefully thought-out contracting strategy to balance risk mitigation, ensuring safety and optimising financial gains. GCR has extensive experience delivering projects in a variety of contracting arrangements and supporting our clients in selecting the best contracting strategy for their project.
Contract Management
GCR coordinate BoP activities, including the execution of procurement, equipment inspection, transport, installation, commissioning and testing, while ensuring project safety and quality for our clients.
Schedule Management
GCR provides support in developing, delivering, and maintaining the project’s master schedule, alongside the project’s execution plan.
Budget Management
GCR will manage your project budget, ranging from payment assessments, tracking the overall budget, as well as dealing with change orders and compensation events.
Construction Supervision
GCR provides on-site, field supervision support for our clients. We tailor our scope offering to each client’s specific needs for on-site support. Typical scope includes QA/QC inspections, progress reports/management, audits and inspections of key phases of work as well as the monitoring of health and safety activities.
GCR understands that every energy project is unique and will have varying reporting and inspection requirements. As Independent Engineers and/or Technical Advisors, our role is tailored to the requirements of the investor and/or developer. GCR’s team of engineers and technical specialists complete independent analysis, reviews and inspections during all stages of project development, design and construction. GCR’s services include, but are not limited to, the following:
Permitting
Green Cat Renewables’ understanding of permitting and environmental constraints enables the identification of effective solutions to manage development risk.
Our broad understanding of permitting requirements and environmental constraints for renewable and alternative energy projects enables the GCR team to quickly find effective solutions to manage and mitigate project development risk.
GCR has a dedicated team of noise consultants to support clients with the delivery of wind, solar, and battery energy storage projects throughout the permitting phase. In addition, we can provide ongoing technical support and compliance noise monitoring through the operational phases.
GCR’s capabilities include:
Glint and glare refer to the reflection of the sun’s light from the surface of an object into an observer’s eye. Glare has the potential to impact stakeholders and increase the risk associated with operators performing regular daily tasks, and/or causing an irritation. Impacts associated with solar glare can be a regulatory consideration for conventional photovoltaic solar arrays and centralised solar power plants.
Our core competencies include:
GCR’s team of landscape consultants complete visual renderings of renewable energy projects to current standards and best practices using the latest software and technology. Subject to client needs, GCR complete visualisations using a range of full-frame digital camera images, GIS mapping, ReSoft Windfarm, WindPRO and augmented reality, real-time, visualisation software (Ventus AR).
Our Landscape Consultants are experienced in the service offerings below:
Wind turbines have the potential to cast shadows over large areas. Where these shadows cross windows, into enclosed spaces, there is a risk of the spinning rotor causing a fluctuation in light levels, which is called shadow flicker. As part of the permitting of wind energy projects, regulators typically require the submission of a shadow flicker assessment.
GCR’s service offering relating to shadow flicker includes:
The appropriate identification of stakeholders and a comprehensive engagement strategy are critical to the successful development of energy projects. Our business originated to serve distribution scale projects (local and community owned) where public engagement is central to the success of each project. GCR’s in-depth understanding of jurisdictional regulatory requirements brings significant experience in public consultation and community engagement across distribution and transmissions of scale energy projects. GCR’s core services include:
We also produce specialist visualisations of development projects, including utilising real-time imaging to help stakeholders conceptualise how projects will appear once operational.
GCR thoroughly understands the many risks associated with energy projects, including the appropriate response measures to mitigate risks, in the event of emergencies. GCR’s Emergency Response Plans (ERP’s) support project permitting and stakeholder engagement, establishing key processes to be followed by contractors and operators during the later stages of project development and construction and during operation.
Our ERPs are site and jurisdiction specific and include procedures for managing risk related to:
Procedures are packaged in a formal report, alongside key project, and key contact information, to support regulatory and stakeholder engagement. ERPs also form the baseline for the construction and operational emergency response procedures, produced by the contractor and operator.
Plans for the decommissioning of renewable energy projects are often requested from developers, by municipal or provincial regulators and/or landowners, during project permitting and lease discussions.
The GCR team has experience in preparing decommissioning plans concurrently with local guidelines. Each plan is tailored to project needs, jurisdictional requirements and includes:
Our team of energy experts have experience supporting a range of energy projects through regulatory hearing procedures. Our hearing experience includes wind, solar, and battery energy storage development, where our experts have provided testimony related to specialised aspects of project development.
Our team has experience with the assessment of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions associated with a range of projects and technologies. GCR conduct assessments of both directly attributed and upstream activities. Our assessments are tailored to the local jurisdiction and are typically quantitative in nature. We also provide commentary on the assessment of findings relative to jurisdictional targets and thresholds.