WIND ENERGY

OUR STRENGTHS

EOLE-RES decided from the very beginning of its activity to develop the complete range of necessary expertise needed to optimize all stages of the creation of a wind farm: identification of sites with strong potential, dialogue, wind analysis, technical, environmental, legal and financial engineering, construction and exploitation.

 New wind farm projects developed by EOLE-RES are identified either through site prospecting, invitations to tender or direct contacts from local communities, farmers or landowners.
Since the establishment of the July 13th 2005 law, which gives local councillors the possibility to choose to create a Wind Development area (Z.D.E.) on their territory, EOLE-RES also proposes to accompany communities in this local planning policy and then helps the communities transform these planning tools into actual projects.

An initial analysis, carried out on the basis of cartographic, bibliographical and weather data, associated with on-site studies, makes it possible to pre-select a number of sites and to retain the zones compatible with the development of new projects.

The first steps towards developing a new project involve a range of issues:

• Site identification.
• Evaluating wind speed, ease of access and grid connection.
• Analysing environmental, technical and legal aspects.
• Déterminer la possibilité de raccordement au réseau électrique.
• Envisaging the acceptability of the project with local councillors, residents and State services.
• Beginning a process of communication, information and dialogue.
• Accompanying local communities in creating a Wind Development area.

• Project acceptability by residents and local council.
• Wind Development area (either being considered, underway or existing).
• Compatibility with the local, county or regional planning policy.
• Technical, economical, environmental and legal feasibility of the study zone.

• Measuring of climatic parameters (wind speed and direction, temperatures, etc) by installing one or more anemometric masts which collect data over a minimum period of one year. 
• Analysis of the wind yield, thanks to data from the anemometric masts, correlated with information from neighbouring weather stations.
• Environmental and landscape studies:
  » Evaluation of the environment: habitat, local culture, economy.
  » Naturalist studies on site: fauna, flora, avifauna, chiropters.

• Definition of an optimal layout for the wind farm.

• Assessment of the impact of the project on the human and natural environment and on the landscape:

» Concerning the surrounding countryside, the visual impact is simulated using application software which takes into account the characteristics of the ground and those of the wind turbines. It is thus possible to determine zones of visual influence and to create photomontages which provide a visual representation at the scale of the site. (PHOTO : PHOTOMONTAGE)

» EOLE-RES systematically entrusts the botanical, faunistic, ornithological and chiropteran assessments to independent consultants and local specialists. On-site observations and expertises are carried out at the various seasons of the natural cycles.

» The acoustic perception is calculated on the basis of in situ measurements, over long periods, near the dwellings or buildings which are closest to the site, and also, acoustic simulations using expert software, in conformity with applicable standards and laws regarding acoustics. These studies make it possible to validate that the recommended layout, with the suggested wind turbines, respects legal levels and preserves the acoustic environment of residents.

» Our Environmental Assessments are undertaken in consultation with statutory bodies and local representatives and we undertake public consultation and exhibitions to disseminate information and to encourage a constructive dialogue. (PHOTO : REUNION DE ROUSSAS)

• Depending on the assessment of the sensitive areas, the project is then modified, optimised and re-evaluated in order to propose a project with minimal impact.

• Once the layout and the technical definition of the project have been finalised, the construction permit is elaborated and filed.

• State services then study the construction permit request: conclusions of all the concerned services, public enquiry, site and landscape commission (instigated by the Préfet) and finally the Préfet's decision to attribute (or to refuse) the construction permit.
  - Request and receipt of the power purchase agreement, establishment of all the necessary conventions in order to connect the wind farm to the national grid
  - Request and receipt of a licence to produce.

• Consultation of different contractors: wind turbine manufacturers, building companies (civil engineering, road construction), electrical cabling etc.

The main mission of EOLE-RES, in its role as maître d'oeuvre, is to coordinate and supervise suppliers and contractors who take part in the construction process. EOLE-RES's expertise lies not only in good supply management, in the optimisation of construction delays, but also in having first-hand and up to date knowledge of wind turbine technology, which is forever changing. Between the end of 1999 and December 2010, EOLE-RES has built and energised 415 MW of wind energy.

• Construction surveys,
• Call for tenders,
• Elaboration of site insurance contracts, technical process controls, health and safety,
• Civil engineering works,
• Electrical works,
• Erection of wind turbines,
• Tests and industrial taking over.

Financing

Wind farm projects are characterised by a high capitalistic intensity. The financing structure is therefore of capital importance.

For each project, the solidity of the financial model depends on several criteria: the long-term power purchase agreement with the national operator, in-depth analysis of the wind yield in order to have a good visibility of future revenue, the quality of the technical specifications and the contracts signed with the machine suppliers, as well as EOLE-RES's capacity to manage all these aspects:

Elaboration of the necessary technical, legal and financial documentation.
Financial and fiscal optimisation.
Elaboration of limited recourse financing in order to circumscribe the project risks.
In the event of selling the wind farm, EOLE-RES will help the third party establish its financial plan.

EOLE-RES, with its parent company RES, closed an important financial deal in March 2005. The operation, known as "Astraeus", was one of most important financial deals ever carried out in the wind industry. Through this transaction, facilities totalling €225 million were arranged for the refinancing of existing investments and the construction and term financing of five new wind farms, including 4 in France.

Operation and Maintenance

From the moment the site is identified to the moment it begins producing electricity, anything from 3 to 5 years will have passed. After the industrial taking over, the operation and maintenance team begins a continual supervision of the functioning of the wind farm, by the intermediary of a remote monitoring system. The team also coordinates the different operations necessary for the day-to-day upkeep and eventual repair or maintenance on site.

Above and beyond its conventional assignments of supervision and upkeep, EOLE-RES also develops and utilizes advanced technical tools such as the Condition Monitoring System which allows a real-time follow-up of the wind farms and means that predictive and therefore preventive maintenance is possible as the operative endoscopy insures immediate knowledge of the condition of the material.

 COMMUNICATION

The acceptance of wind farms by local communities and residents is a key element of the success of a project. This is why the policy of EOLE-RES in this field consists in involving local authorities from the very beginning of the project. Public information meetings are organized in the communities concerned in order to present the results of the different lay-outs envisaged, to take into account the opinion of the local actors in defining the project, to evaluate and present the potential economic repercussions of the project (professional tax, use of local contractors…), all in order to integrate the project in the best possible way in its environment.

Project communication is also carried out by diffusing information brochures, sending press releases to the press at key moments in the project's development (obtaining the construction permit, results of questionnaires or surveys, beginning of construction…), the organization of site visits for local MPs and mayors and residents concerned with the project or by organising charity actions, school visits or partnerships within the framework of sustainable development projects.