Kimley-Horn’s Post

Experience with literal thousands of solar projects and some of the best engineers in the field resulted in a novel tool for development! #solar #engineering #optimization

Building upon Maksim Markevich's insightful analogy, modern civil engineering teaches us a valuable lesson on cost savings in solar energy project designs. Proper investment in Cut&Fill not only prepares the terrain but can also lead to significant reductions in expensive support structures for solar panels. Fine-tuning this process unveils an opportunity to slash expenses on Piles and Trackers, proving that installation savings on these photovoltaic components are attainable. This is the beautiful balance between engineering and economics, where the art of optimizing costs is as dynamic as the market we serve. It's a dance of numbers and resources that, when choreographed correctly, results in tangible financial benefits. The accompanying animation highlights this interplay, illustrating the positive impact of strategic choices on the construction site. With technology on our side, we are setting new benchmarks for efficiency in renewable energy. #CivilEngineering #SolarEnergy #Innovation #Sustainability

When planning solar plants, pile-driven foundations are not always possible. 😖 If the soil is too soft or too stony, the water table is too high, or the land is contaminated (like on landfill sites, for example), you’ll need a solar mounting system that bypasses the need for driven piles without compromising on stability. Which is why we made the PVMAX3. 👊 As its substructure is fastened to pre-cast concrete foundations, the PVMAX3 is ideal for small-scale, ground-mounted solar projects for which test piles and soil studies are unfeasible. In addition to reduced assembly times, the PXMAX3 also offers: ✔ Zero subsoil perforation ✔ Supreme stability and durability ✔ Perfectly synchronized components ✔ Quick and cost-effective project planning ✔ A very high degree of corrosion resistance We also provide a complete structural analysis (including concrete foundations) with every PVMAX3, so you don’t have to worry about finding an external specialist and paying above the odds. 🤝 Contact your key account manager today for more info—or, if you don’t have one yet, message us via our website and we’ll be in touch with you soon. #WeSupportSolar #SolarPower #PVMAX3

💡 Uncover how Peak Lopping Plants work and the importance of this Newport based project to be providing electricity to the grid in times of demand. 🟢 10 Gas reciprocating engines at 2-megawatt each 🟢 Total power output is 20MW 🟢 Switchgear and Master Control rooms 🟢 Single storey brick DNO Switch room 🟢 Gas infrastructure with directional drilling 110m 🟢 Medium pressure gas supply pipework 🟢 33KV High-voltage transformer & Ancillary transformer 🟢 Infrastructure and commissioning works 🟢 Remote Operational Team 🟢 Comprehensive Maintenance Programme ⚡ Aventurine Climate has obtained all necessary planning permissions and is currently engaged in on-site civil engineering activities in Newport, South Wales. The Peak Lopping Plant is poised to supply 20 megawatts of electricity to the grid, enhancing energy security and assisting in grid stabilisation during periods when renewable sources are unable to generate power. #PeakingPower #GridStability #EnergySecurity #PowerGeneration #PeakLopping #RenewableIntegration #ElectricityGrid #EnergyBalance #GridResilience #PowerInfrastructure #ClimateSolutions #SustainableEnergy #aventurineclimate

Stability Analysis of an embankment with rapid drawdown is very important. Using SLOPEW and SEEPW of GeoStudio you can assess the safety of an embankment very easily and reliably.

When working with #Solar PV modules #installation, we sometimes take the #feasibilitystudy and #sitetopography for granted until you actually run into a real life project where you actually have to be keen on these factors. Imagine working on an implementation project for a #5megawatt #groundmountPV system on what was previously used a quarry then it became a dumpsite! For me this has been an interesting challenge and a great learning experience where environmental stewardship and #engineering innovation meet! Before the mounting of the PV modules, the following steps are involved: 1. Site preparation This involves carrying out a thorough environmental impact assessment (#EIA) to identify the contents and toxicity levels of the dumped materials, proper dumping grounds as well as determining the stability of the grounds for operation. 2. Soil stabilisation The next step is finding the right soil type for filling in the open quarry. Here we had to compact the soil layer by layer to ensure that it could withstand the weight of the #groundmount #PVstructures and #modules. Various aggregates and chemicals like lime were blended with the soil to reduce plasticity, improve workability and enhance long-term strength and eliminate any risks of collapse. 3. Construction of concrete footings These was the most economical and feasible option for the foundation type for use in mounting of the #PVstructures that carry #PVmodules, taking into consideration the gound we were working with. 4. Assembly and installation of PV module structures, as in the attached photo. 5. The next step I am looking forward to is mounting and stringing of #solar #PVmodules and #DC to #AC power conversion and final evacuation for #transmission and #distribution. Stay tuned :)

Is your lighting project in a strong wind zone? Engineers must consider the various environmental conditions of their lighting project’s location when specifying commercial solar lights. One of these critical conditions is the location’s “wind region”. Australia is divided into four major wind regions (A,B, C and D) with each region representing different wind speeds and the frequency of extreme weather in those areas. Trusting your solar lights are engineered to withstand the location’s specific wind region is crucial for safety, durability and compliance with Australian Standards. To identify which wind region your lighting project is in you can refer to the graphic below. The image outlines Australia’s wind regions according to the Australian Standards AS170.2:2021 Structural Design Actions. Region A: “Normal” wind speeds – reaching up to 162km/h Region B: “Intermediate” wind speeds – reaching up to 205km/h Region C: “Cyclonic” wind speeds – reaching up to 238km/h Region D: “Severe cyclonic” wind speeds – reaching up to 288km/h At Orca Solar Lighting we work closely with GM Poles, our preferred pole supplier, to ensure that our customers are always provided with solar lighting solutions built to withstand wind speeds in your location. #solarlighting #lighting #renewableenergy #engineering

Long-term visions for grid updates are critical in solving our energy crisis but a new ruling has some states divided. Do you think public power utilities should be able to start projects without getting bids from independent transmission companies? #grid #energy #infrastructure #energycrisis #partnerfortalent

📌Solar energy projects that are implemented on a plot of land🌏. 📎In most cases, these projects are implemented, due to the lack of space on the roof of the building and with high electrical consumption📊. 📎Also called "wheeling system" , meaning that generation is in one place and consumption is in another, and every month between generation and consumption are cleared every month📝. 📌To these projects is added a new item is civil works, which includes many points: - ✅Soil Inspection. ✅Leveling and cleaning the land. ✅Building Plans. ✅Drilling and casting metal structure bases. ✅Service Streets. ✅Base Course. ✅Establishment of lighting systems and cameras. ✅Building wall for protection. 📍And many points that fall within the civil works📋. 📌These projects remain more complex than other projects that increase the price of the project ☀️. #solarenergy #sketchup #pv #pv_design #design #solar #solarenergy #team #work #structure #pv #pv_system #project #wheeling

Geotechnical engineers talk amongst themselves using abbreviations that project stakeholders and even engineers from other trades struggle to decipher. In this compilation, we present the tip of the iceberg. #geotechnicalengineering #geotechnics #soilmechanics #foundations #civilrenewables