Development of projects
Since the company’s inception in 1990, Eolus has established a large number of wind power projects and an extensive project portfolio and in doing so has built up sound knowledge of the development and establishment of renewable energy facilities.
Investors in production facilities developed and established by Eolus are getting a stable and reliable partner. We have taken our extensive experience in wind power with us into the design of solar power and energy storage facilities, which generally have shorter permit processes than wind power.
Eolus focuses on good overall economy throughout the lifetime of the facilities and so works according to a structured process where each element is designed to satisfy both economic and environmental requirements. Eolus is an independent designer and therefore does not manufacture its own wind turbines, PV or batteries. Our focus is on finding the best and most suitable sites to establish facilities that can contribute to the expansion of renewable energy. Within wind, solar and storage, we select the suppliers that best meet our requirements and wishes and those of our customers.
Basis for Eolus’s development of renewable energy and storage projects
The project portfolio varies in different countries, but the basic objective is always the same. Eolus works to establish facilities that can contribute to renewable energy generation or storage and does so with consideration for other community interests and at the lowest possible cost per MWh.
All facilities goes through an extensive permitting process by the authorities to assess their suitability based on current regulations designed to enable the facilities to co-exist with other community interests.
Project value chain:
Origination
The starting point for any potential project is in the Origination function, which focuses on creating new business opportunities on new and existing markets. Land areas are identified and analysed in order to investigate at an early stage the possibility of constructing wind, solar power or storage. Origination not only works on the development of in-house projects, but also on the acquisition of projects at various stages of project development. If the initial studies indicate potential for establishing renewable energy and the possibility of co-existence with other community interests, access to the areas in question is secured through agreements with landowners.
Project Development
Development of the project then continues within the Project Development function. This section of the value chain is where consultation with the general public and the authorities takes place and the studies, inventories and surveys required in a permit process are conducted. These studies may relate to for example, the cultural environment, co-existence with local residents, natural values and bird surveys. At the same time, a technical assesment is conducted for the proposed project, examining the availability of wind or solar energy, layout, size of the facility, grid connection and access roads. A permit application can then be submitted.
Alongside project development during the permit phase, a dialogue is opened with suppliers of wind turbines, PV or battery storage about possible technical solutions that best optimise electricity generation at the facility given the prevailing conditions at the site and the conditions stipulated in pending permits. Dialogue can also commence with potential investors at this stage.
If the relevant authorities grant a permit for the project, the facility can be constructed.
During the latter part of the project development phase, a dialogue is opened with various suppliers to optimise an upcoming establishment. Work is also under way to match the projects with potential investors and possible signatories of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). You can read more about the different types of customers who invest in the various projects and facilities that Eolus develops here.
Project Delivery and Construction
Once a sale has been completed, projects transfer to the construction and delivery phase. Eolus does not have its own construction staff but purchases these services from external suppliers. Eolus’s role is to be responsible for the construction of renewable energy projects and to act as the client in dealings with the construction, electricity grid and turbine or PV suppliers for projects. For the establishment of a wind power plant, the main elements of this phase concern the construction of roads, crane pads, foundations and internal electricity grids, as well as the installation and commissioning of turbines. For solar projects, these include roads, electricity grids and the installation and commissioning of solar panels, for example. Whatever the type of facility being established, a connection to the electricity grid is essential and this is established in cooperation with the relevant grid owner in the area in question. The implementation and construction of large-scale energy projects requires detailed planning and monitoring of timetables and cost schedules, as well as quality assurance and follow-up on completed construction works.
Asset Management
The final stage in a project’s value chain is the operational phase. The Asset Management function manages facilities on behalf of customers and aims to maximise production over time. The function works on behalf of customers to keep in touch with the turbine manufacturers to ensure compliance with service agreements, to carry out its own inspections, to ensure that the conditions of government permits, environmental requirements and health and safety requirements are met and to monitor the facilities through our operations centre. In addition, the function handles matters such as accounting and financial reporting, lease payments, insurance and electricity certificate reporting. All to provide customers with hassle-free ownership of facilities.