Renewables

Renewable Energy Services

Renewable Energy Strategy and Planning

Long active in both traditional and renewable energy generation, Black & Veatch has completed a large number of comprehensive studies and projects evaluating a broad range of renewable energy technologies. After thorough study and analysis with our proprietary models and tools, Black & Veatch recommends the most cost effective and appropriate technology for your specific application. Whether it is evaluating the acquisition of a portfolio of renewable assets, developing an optimum renewable portfolio standard compliance plan, assisting with integrated resource plans, or performing regional resource assessments; Black & Veatch has the expertise needed to make it happen. The results are sustainable solutions, both from an environmental and financial perspective.

Black & Veatch also has been involved in several projects that leverage the benefits of combining renewable energy with fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas. The intermittent nature of some renewables is a good match for the dependability of conventional fossil fuel stations. These projects have ranged from projects that take advantage of existing site infrastructure to large schemes involving thousands of megawatts of new fossil and renewable generation.

Integration of our broad and deep resources, experience, expertise and history of service allows us to bring integrated solutions to our clients.

Biofuels and Biorefineires

Black & Veatch is on the cutting edge of biorefineries, where biomass feedstocks are processed in an integrated facility to make a range of products, including biofuels, electric power, and various chemicals/bio-products. The chemicals include ammonia, hydrogen, ethylene glycol, acetic acid, formaldehyde, urea, acrylates and ethylene glycol. This approach yields the highest market value of biomass-derived outputs, similar to conventional petroleum refineries that produce a range of products from crude oil. Our biorefinery expertise is enhanced by our ability to draw upon (and build upon) our worldwide leadership in supplying technologies and engineering and construction services for the chemical and electric power industries.

Black & Veatch specializes particularly in evaluating advanced technologies for producing syngas and liquid biofuels from cellulosic biomass, with a focus on gasification coupled to catalytic conversion of the syngas to high value products. For more than 70 years, gas processing has been a primary area of expertise for Black & Veatch, with over 250 gas processing projects successfully completed worldwide. In this area of specialization we are addressing technology, economic and market factors for pilot-plant and commercial-scale development opportunities for biofuel projects.

Black & Veatch has extensive biofuels consulting experience, providing analysis and advice regarding technical, economic, market, environmental, management and policy issues associated with the production of liquid transportation fuels from renewable biomass resources. Our biofuels consulting work addresses the spectrum of biofuel options, including butanol, ethanol, methanol, other alcohol fuels; biodiesel, and “clean” diesel produced via the Fischer-Tropsch process. A particular area of focus in our biofuels consulting work is on emerging technologies for producing biofuels from abundant, low cost cellulosic biomass resources, such as crop residues, waste wood, other organic waste streams and energy crops.

Black & Veatch’s expertise in the biofuels-from-syngas area spans the range of key technology requirements that will be important for biorefinery systems, including:

  • Biomass Preparation
  • Gasification
  • Syngas Treating
  • Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis and Product Workup
  • Methanol Synthesis and Distillation
  • Ethanol Synthesis and Distillation
  • Heat Recovery, Steam Generation, and Power Generation
  • Plant Utilities (water and wastewater treatment, cooling water, oxygen and nitrogen)

Our world class knowledge and capabilities in gas processing will be a vital strength in building advanced biomass gasification systems coupled to Fischer-Tropsch catalytic syngas conversion for the production of liquid biofuels. Black & Veatch gasification experience includes Pearson, BGL, KRW, Lurgi, Prenflo, Shell, ConocoPhillips (E-Gas) and GE (Texaco) gasifiers.

Biomass

Black & Veatch is recognized as one of the most diverse and broad-based providers of biomass energy systems and services in the world. We have participated in biomass activities ranging from initial technology research and development through detailed design and construction. Our clients can attest to the essential value that Black & Veatch provides to their projects.

Black & Veatch has experience with all forms of biomass including solid biomass, biogas and liquid fuels. Black & Veatch was the lenders engineer for the world’s largest stand-alone wood-fired power plant (Multitrade), won the Power Magazine Power Plant Award for design and construction of the 35 MW wood-burning Grayling Station and was responsible for the turnkey conversion of the Central Wayne incinerator to a modern Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant. The latter project is the only new WTE plant to come online in the United States in the last decade.

Black & Veatch has provided services for over 50 different waste and biomass fuels. Projects have included a wide variety of conversion processes including combustion, cofiring, combined heat and power (CHP), gasification, pyrolysis, plasma arc, anaerobic digestion, landfill gas, biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) and torrefaction. Black & Veatch has provided services for over 100 biomass and waste fuel projects.

Distributed Generation

Although widely known for our large power station expertise, Black & Veatch offers extensive experience with distributed generation technologies. For example, to meet our clients’ needs in selective situations, Black & Veatch has installed nearly 100 engine generator units representing approximately 65 MW of generating capacity.

Engine generators are one of the most economical installed cost distributed generation technologies available today, but Black & Veatch is also at the forefront of emerging distributed generation technologies including the following:

  • Small Combustion Turbines
  • Microturbines
  • Engines
  • Solar Photovoltaic
  • Community and Small-Scale Wind
  • Small Modular Biomass
  • Stationary Fuel Cells

We can also analyze Distributed Generation (DG), Demand Side Management (DSM) and ‘Smart Grid’ programs to see if they meet the needs of ratepayers, renewable energy requirements and governmental bodies.

Geothermal

Black & Veatch consults, engineers, designs and performs materials selection, requisitioning and purchase of equipment for geothermal projects. In addition, we secure licenses and permits for geothermal power facilities. Engineering and construction services specific to geothermal plants and equipment include the following:

  • Bid Evaluation
  • Development of Technical Requirements
  • Due Diligence
  • Reliability Assessments
  • EPC Specification
  • Steam Turbines and Heat Exchangers
  • Cooling Tower and Condenser Systems
  • District Heating Systems
  • Well Development
  • Flash Tanks and Steam Gathering System Operations
  • Materials / Metallurgical Applications
  • Reinjection Systems
  • Non-Condensable Gas Removal Systems Sulfur Recovery

Hydro

Our broad and historical experience with water-based energy generation converts into value for our clients. Black & Veatch has extensive experience with water-based renewable energy technologies including the following areas:

Small hydroelectric facilities - We have extensive experience in feasibility studies, conceptual and detailed design, procurement and construction of small hydro facilities. In addition to traditional storage and run-of-river projects, recent projects have included many conduit hydropower projects which generate electricity utilizing water supply conveyances such as pipelines and canals. For older hydropower plants, Black & Veatch has become a leader in providing creative solutions for upgrade and rehabilitation with over 400 projects in the last 20 years.

Large hydroelectric facilities - We also provide expertise for large hydroelectric projects. Our worldwide experience includes over 50,000 MW of hydropower including 14,000 MW of pumped storage.

Ocean

Black & Veatch has been involved with tidal and wave energy evaluations since 1975, when we carried out a review of the Severn Tidal Power Scheme over a period of 8 years. Since then our work has expanded from tidal barrages to include tidal stream, wave power and ocean thermal energy conversion technologies.

Using our innovation, technical and commercial experience as well as our value engineering and key parameter optimization programs, we work with technology developers and financiers to prioritize areas for design development to increase performance and decrease costs. We also offer due diligence on all wave and tidal devices.

Capabilities:

  • Commercialisation Planning:
    • Development Prioritisation
    • Technology Acceleration
    • Resource Assessment (inc. matching devices to location)
  • Engineering Design:
    • Concept, Basic and Detailed Design of Civil, Structural, Electro-Mechanical and I&C Systems
    • Engineering Design Review and Assessment
    • Integration and Interconnection of Device Farms
  • Economic Analysis:
    • Cost Estimation for Marine Energy Technologies
    • Technical Due Diligence (Bankers, Investor reports)
  • Cost Reduction and Performance Optimisation:
    • Economic Optimisation (cost and performance scaling)
    • Value Engineering and Cost Breakdown Analysis
  • Power Performance Analysis:
    • Performance Analysis
    • Power and Energy Yield Analysis
  • Project and Program Management

Solar

Black & Veatch has a long history with solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies dating back to our first major assignment for NASA in 1973. We continue to be a leader in the solar industry today performing many solar projects for utilities, independent power producers, and a variety of federal, state, and local agencies.

Black & Veatch continues to serve clients in solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies.

Solar Photovoltaic - Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly into electrical energy. Black & Veatch provides a wide variety of services for PV systems. We have designed and managed installation of over 250 kW of PV and have developed conceptual designs and feasibility studies for small commercial systems as well as large central station facilities. Black & Veatch has performed several independent engineering studies for prospective lenders and purchasers of PV systems. We also have developed innovative PV system ownership strategies, assisting our clients in identifying the optimal ownership structure considering pertinent tax structures and incentives.

Solar Thermal - Solar thermal systems use solar radiation to heat a working fluid, and subsequently generate electrical energy. Black & Veatch was the leading company in the early development of solar thermal systems having contributed to the success of central receiver, parabolic trough and dish electric technologies. Our continued solar thermal activity ranges from front end activities, such as feasibility studies and conceptual designs, to development of engineer, procure, construct bid packages.

Wind

Black & Veatch’s renewable energy services have grown along with the renewable energy industry from the very beginning. We helped launch the modern wind power industry in 1975 with our first wind report for EPRI ("Environmental Effects of Wind Turbine Power Plants"). Typical clients over the past 30 years have included utilities, project developers and government and tribal agencies. Our team of experienced professionals knows the technology, the market and the legislation in this unique and fast-paced renewable energy field.

Project experience includes wind resource evaluation and production estimates, review of advanced technologies, and project development and implementation assistance. Our experience includes international as well as domestic projects in a variety of wind regimes including coastal, high plains and island sites.

Black & Veatch offers a variety of services to the wind energy industry including the following:

  • Evaluation of Wind Project Proposals
  • Technology Characterization and Feasibility Assessments
  • Site Selection and Wind Resource Studies
  • Environmental Permitting and Licensing
  • Project Development Advisory Services
  • Technical and Financial Due Diligence for Owners and Financiers
  • Transmission and Interconnection Studies and Support
  • Engineering, Procurement and Construction
  • Transmission and Interconnection Studies and Support
  • Owner’s Engineering Review and Support