In the renewable industry, it can be rare to have an experienced engineer-procure-construct (EPC) team that is fully integrated under one roof and invested from the beginning through to completion. From project development and permitting through to interconnection, construction and startup, utilizing an integrated EPC partner is imperative to creating a more seamless, predictable and cost-effective experience.
Solar design, development and construction
Battery Storage Construction
Upfront planning and seamless construction integration are critical for solar projects. With an integrated EPC approach, vital components like concept development, geotech, permitting and site optimization are planned for and designed with constructability in mind, creating less unpredictability when it comes to budget and installation costs.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Collaborative opportunities under an EPC contracting framework inspire custom technology applications driving efficiencies in solar construction projects.
News
Burns & McDonnell recently completed construction of a 65-MWdc/50-MWac solar project at Vistra’s Brightside Solar Facility in Live Oak County, Texas.
BenchMark
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS OF RENEWABLES INTEGRATIONBenchMark | Burns & McDonnell (burnsmcd.com)
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Blog
Burns & McDonnell
During an uncertain time in the solar market, a high-level performance audit can help companies understand and optimize performance of existing solar sites.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Partnering with an integrated engineer-procure-construct (EPC) team can mitigate challenges in executing large-scale solar and energy storage projects.
NEWS RELEASE
Burns & McDonnell
Burns & McDonnell is providing the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for three Alliant Energy solar projects in Wisconsin. The projects include Bear Creek (50-MW/ac / 64-MW/dc), North Rock (50-MW/ac / 64-MW/dc), and Wood County (150-MW/ac / 198-MW/dc) and are part of the path to generating cleaner energy in the state.
Case Study
Burns & McDonnell
To continue to provide reliable service, CenterPoint Energy needed a new 50-megawatt alternating current (MWac)/64.7-megawatt direct current (MWdc) universal solar array. Burns & McDonnell was brought on to self-perform the construction and stayed on-site despite challenges related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Solar installations look simple, but they come with challenges. Drawing on integrated resources enables insights that turn a good project into a great one.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
EPC construction manager Drew Powers addresses benefits of engineer-procure-construct execution, site selection challenges and technology implementation.
Webinar
Burns & McDonnell
U.S. senators have introduced a plan that would revamp tax credits for new power plants, stand-alone storage, high-voltage transmission lines, distributed generation and carbon capture transactions. How would these tax credits impact energy storage projects? What would the opt-out option mean for the utilities market? We discuss how the proposed legislation could impact the future of renewable energy projects.
Blog
1898 & Co.
Understanding the equipment needs for solar is critical. Flipping the engineer-procure-construct approach to procure-engineer-construct can drive success.
White Paper
Burns & McDonnell
The gathering of sufficient valid data points to meet photovoltaic project capacity test procedures can present major challenges. Mitigation strategies are available to overcome these challenges. These include using wider irradiances ranges, higher resolution data, and stowing tracked arrays.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Grading design is integral to solar projects. Time and costs can be saved with minimal land disturbance at the chosen construction site.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
To maximize returns on greenfield solar projects, operations personnel need to understand key aspects already present on site: land, load and financing.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
A successful solar project needs the sun, but nearly half of solar installation construction happens underground, meaning geotechnical studies can reveal information critical to budget and schedule.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Oil and gas companies are considering integration of renewable energy assets, but the challenges of intermittent power sources must be addressed upfront.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Power utilities are moving away from power purchase agreements and embracing the build, own, transfer model to allow ownership and control over assets.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
It’s tempting to view the extension of solar investment tax credit percentages as a gift of time, but it’s valuable to continue on with execution plans.
White Paper
Burns & McDonnell
With PV module costs dropping, decarbonization efforts increasing and the solar ITC extended, interest in solar is high. A changing marketplace, however, is complicating the development of new utility-scale solar farms. Now, more than ever, contractor knowledge and experience in the current landscape are critical for successful completion.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Rural power providers are integrating wind and solar energy to support more reliable and affordable energy options for customers.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Utilities need to plan for dispatchable generation as they transition the generation mix to meet ambitious renewable energy goals.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
As energy storage systems expand to meet electrical grid challenges, it is important to understand the drivers and challenges facing renewables markets.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
An experienced and knowledgeable engineer-procure-construct (EPC) integrator balances competing objectives to successfully deliver infrastructure projects.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Growing solar adoption is bringing new manufacturers and contractors into the solar field. Thorough examinations of site characteristics, equipment options and construction contractor experience are critical for success with new solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Blog
1898 & Co.
Several options can mitigate the risk of potential glare from sunlight on installations of large solar photovoltaic (PV) modules at airports.
Blog
1898 & Co.
Deploying an unmanned aerial system (UAS) to inspect solar generation offers benefits, but you must weigh the inspection cost against the return of repairs.
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Regardless of the sun shining or wind blowing, maintaining reliable energy service is imperative. With many moving parts involved in energy storage, seamless EPC experience and integrated coordination are key to executing on-time and on-budget projects.
Case Study
Burns & McDonnell
Three battery energy storage facilities in West Texas are helping stabilize the power grid with 60 megawatt-hours (MWh) of total energy capacity that now is available to help system operators manage grid operations in one of the country’s most active wind resource areas. Dubbed the Texas Trio, these lithium-ion battery installations were successfully energized after an aggressive five-month construction schedule.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
There are variables to consider before deciding if periodic augmentation is the right move for owners of battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Energy storage options are gaining ground due to their potential to address energy storage, reliability and resiliency issues amid the decarbonization push.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
As energy storage systems expand to meet electrical grid challenges, it is important to understand the drivers and challenges facing renewables markets.
White Paper
1898 & Co.
The future of energy storage will depend on being able to store energy practically and economically for months at a time, as opposed to hours. While batteries are clear leaders in current storage applications, hydrogen is increasingly gaining appeal as the efficiency and cost of hydrogen based power has improved significantly.
White Paper
Burns & McDonnell
Employing thermal energy storage (TES) technologies can improve flexibility when auxiliary power associated with energy storage is utilized. This can optimize battery performance, resulting in longer life cycles.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Selecting a foundation for an energy storage project must incorporate geologic and other factors. An integrated EPC team helps achieve a seamless experience.
Webinar
Burns & McDonnell
With more wind and solar coming onto the grid, storage is the holy grail in energy. One of the prime movers in this energy transformation is the rapid advancement in battery storage technologies. In this webinar we explored the various technologies and potential applications.
NEWS
Burns & McDonnell
KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Burns & McDonnell has completed construction of three 10-MW/20-MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) in West Texas. The three project sites were constructed, commissioned and put into operation in just five months, delivering the project on schedule amid a volatile supply chain and logistics market.
White Paper
Burns & McDonnell
To realize the value utility-scale solar and storage offers, utilities need to define the use case, determine ancillary services and locate the optimal location. This process will help identify the right solar, battery and storage technology option to achieve maximum returns.
White Paper
Burns & McDonnell
The commercialization of next-generation long-duration energy storage may get a boost in the U.S. with the expected passage of bipartisan infrastructure legislation that includes more than $500 million for energy storage demonstrations. For companies investing in flow batteries and other longer-duration technologies, it couldn’t come at a better time.
White Paper
Burns & McDonnell
Lithium-ion batteries have become the technology of choice for utility-scale energy storage configurations. Further growth will depend on how manufacturers and the utility industry address battery safety challenges.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
To support black start capabilities, operators should take into account the key benefits and considerations when implementing a battery energy storage system.
Press Release
Burns & McDonnell
KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Burns & McDonnell was selected by LG Energy Solution and Sustainable Environmental Renewable (SER) Capital Partners to provide engineer-procure-construct (EPC) services for three 10-megawatt/20 megawatt-hour lithium-ion, stand-alone battery energy storage systems. The three facilities are located in the West Texas region.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
To stop decarbonized energy from creating environmental waste, disposal and recycling of lithium-ion batteries used in energy storage must be discussed.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Energy storage is transforming power, and lithium-ion is a driving force. Time will tell whether lithium-ion will remain in the lead over the long-term.
White Paper
Burns & McDonnell
Lithium-ion technology dominates the market for battery energy storage systems, but redox flow battery technology is gaining traction as an energy storage alternative that can make economic sense under several scenarios for utility-scale applications.
Webinar
Burns & McDonnell
Our April webinar on energy storage generated so many great questions and such excellent feedback that Chris Ruckman and Jason Barmann are back with more. This new session will examine operations and maintenance for energy storage, use cases and case studies for utility-scale implementation, and recycling considerations. We’ll also discuss NFPA 855: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems.
Webinar
Burns & McDonnell
Flow batteries and other technologies, both new and old, are competing for space in a rapidly dynamic storage market, while lithium-ion technology is advancing and prices are dropping. Which applications are suited to which technologies? And at what cost might longer-duration technologies compete? We discuss the market drivers, technology status and economics of flow batteries and other long-duration storage technologies.
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The growth of renewable generation and evolving energy standards create schedule challenges for both utilities and renewable developers. Grid interconnections require proper planning, risk assessment and execution of the engineering and construction to allow for a streamlined experience interconnecting to the grid.
Blog
1898 & Co.
Navigating the interconnection queue for renewable power is difficult for utilities. Four experience-based lessons offer pointers on factors to consider.
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Case Study
1898 & Co.
As renewable energy becomes more predominant in California’s generation mix, Pacific Gas & Electric needs a reliable way to effectively interconnect generation customers. Generator interconnection studies provide detailed reliability analysis to inform this process.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
To efficiently integrate renewables, upgrades to an aging transmission system are necessary to enable operational flexibility and cost savings.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
FERC Order 845 lets renewable generators build interconnections instead of relying on transmission providers, boosting flexibility and cost control.
Project Profile
Burns & McDonnell
A municipal utility required a new 345-kV transmission line and substation for grid interconnection of a solar generation plant. To execute the project quickly and seamlessly, we are providing full-service solutions — from concept to completion — with an integrated team approach.
White Paper
1898 & Co.
The electric grid was based on the requirements of an earlier society. In today’s always-on world, outages of even a minute can anger customers who work from home, have life support equipment or just want their social media. Utilities must develop strategies that result in a strong, smart and sustainable grid.
Case Study
1898 & Co.
A Midwest-based independent power producer and supplier was seeing discrepancies between energy output of wind turbines and the energy available to be sold to customers. To effectively track outages and improve communications with consumers, a new software solution was implemented that created operational efficiencies across the board.
White Paper
1898 & Co.
Patience has long been a virtue of those interested in connecting their distributed energy resources (DER) to the grid. Approval for these projects has been slow, with utilities lacking ways to identify feasibility and costs for interconnections. Hosting capacity analyses can solve for these challenges.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Solar projects need more than sunshine to be successful. Chosen sites need to balance fuel generation, proximity to a transmission line and that line’s available capacity.
Project Profile
Burns & McDonnell
Managing the inflow of renewable generation interconnection applications was challenging a major utility. Proper planning, research, management of the engineering and construction of required interconnection facilities and associated network upgrades streamlined the process.
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No matter the task at hand, the range of regulations and permitting conditions required can be daunting. It’s important to partner with a team of professionals that has extensive experience with environmental studies, the permitting needs required by federal, state and local agencies, and construction and operational compliance monitoring.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
An integrated engineer-procure-construct (EPC) team provides the varied professional experience needed for long-term planning of utility-scale renewables.
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Blog
Burns & McDonnell
A successful solar project needs the sun, but nearly half of solar installation construction happens underground, meaning geotechnical studies can reveal information critical to budget and schedule.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Early engagement in ordinance discussions requires thoughtful planning and can lead to more cost-effective, manageable solar power projects.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Increased awareness around farmland protection policies can mitigate delays in new development and create opportunities for cross-industry collaboration.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
An experienced environmental partner can help developers work through NEPA’s regulatory effects on providing reliable renewable power to consumers.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Developers focus on collaboration with groups of stakeholders to be impacted by the transition to renewable generation and battery storage facilities.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
New technology and policies are changing the scenery of solar farms, but the changes in landscapes can bring additional siting challenges.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Various industries are altering how to direct capital dollars to meet environmental, social and governance standards.
Blog
Burns & McDonnell
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics are standard requirements that drive investment criteria. Sustainable remediation offers many benefits.
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Wind power is complex. From grid planning and site layout to interconnection handoffs and capacity analysis, an integrated, experienced team can take the project through to completion.
White Paper
1898 & Co.
As the wind industry rapidly approaches the inevitable end of the Production Tax Credit, a significant backlog of projects is expected to come online in rapid succession. Developing, designing and building these projects will pose a major challenge to the industry.
Case Study
1898 & Co.
Baja California in Mexico offers some of the strongest wind resources on the West Coast. For all the minute details involved in developing a major wind farm to help serve demand in nearby Southern California, Sempra and IEnova turned to us, a frequent partner on wind projects, for owner’s engineer services.
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Offshore wind generation is rising in demand and becoming a strong player in a renewable generation portfolio. With experience in sourcing and fabricating equipment, producing and assembling steel, and implementing concrete and electrical components for these projects, we can partner with you to grow and expand your offshore wind initiatives.
Blog
The developing U.S. offshore wind market needs regional and national collaboration between supply chain stakeholders in order to meet clean energy goals.
Burns & McDonnell
Blog
1898 & Co.
Demand and potential for offshore wind generation are huge. To execute properly, projects must identify and address offshore wind’s effect on grid stability.
White Paper
Burns & McDonnell
As the number of offshore wind projects continues to grow, addressing grid interconnection challenges is critical for these systems to successfully fit in the evolving power grid. Maintaining system frequency and voltage stability while supplying sufficient short circuit current is key for offshore wind projects to achieve grid stability.
White Paper
Burns & McDonnell
Most offshore wind power generation projects to date have been developed in shallow ocean waters where foundation structures could be affixed to the ocean floor. However, the more powerful wind resources found above deeper coastal waters and farther out at sea have largely gone untapped. The development of new floating foundations may soon change that.
White Paper
1898 & Co.
The U.S. offshore wind market has potential to supply vast amounts of clean, renewable energy to millions of homes and businesses. Turning it into reality will involve addressing many challenges. Among them: convincing power industry stakeholders to agree on how to connect this offshore generation to the onshore electric grid.
White Paper
Burns & McDonnell
It’s estimated the U.S. has over 4,000 GW of offshore wind potential — four times the amount of electricity needed to power the country. Given Europe’s 15-year head start in this sector, U.S. developers might be tempted to take an identical approach. But it’s not that simple.
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At this time, Burns & McDonnell is not offering pure architectural services in the states of Illinois, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire or New Jersey. We may, however, provide design-build services for architectural projects.
