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FERC and other recent reforms are encouraging steps to help the US power grid adapt to the energy transition. However, the risks to project developers remain high with the large costs required to interconnect. To examine these challenges, I’m writing a new series on strategies developers can employ to minimize the downsides when selecting their project sites. But before that, I want to walk through the core problems that are straining the grid. One factor is the increase in

Most renewable energy developers who have been in the business long enough have a story about neighbors being opposed to one of their projects. This issue comes up often enough that it's almost inevitable. The problem is characterized by a project having neutral or positive support from local leaders but a vocal group of neighbors opposed to it. The neighbors bring up issues related to their proximity to the project, like visual impacts and property values, but often go beyon

In 1914, Winston Churchill faced a difficult decision. Over two decades before his first term as Prime Minister during World War 2, he oversaw the entire Royal Navy as First Lord of the Admiralty. Shipbuilding technology was rapidly evolving in that era and one of the key questions was whether to use coal or oil as fuel for the large ships in the fleet. Coal was the more proven technology at that point and the British had a strong supply chain across the Empire. Oil was light

We performed a preliminary feasibility analysis on 19 energy storage projects throughout the US.

We developed layouts and other exhibits for local land-use permitting efforts.

Insurance risk is taking on a more central role within renewable energy project engineering. With more extreme weather, the ability to...

Site exhibits for renewable energy projects serve as comprehensive visual narratives that extend far beyond simple site plans, strategically designed to tell a compelling story to regulators while demonstrating full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This protective status means that every solar project in their range requires careful planning and mitigation measures.

We will explore the risks and opportunities inherent in EPC cost estimates and explain why a Monte Carlo simulation is valuable for project evaluation.

Optimized energy models have emerged as a powerful tool, enabling developers to refine project designs, predict performance with greater accuracy, and ultimately secure stronger financial outcomes.

Lithium-ion, Sodium-ion, and Flow batteries. Understanding the nuances of each is no longer just about performance and cost – it's also about safety, environmental impact, and, crucially, the path to getting these vital projects online.

Selecting the right EPC partner is a serious decision that can significantly affect the project's success, timeline, and bottom line. This post will guide you through the essential steps of EPC solicitation and selection, focusing on a robust evaluation process and securing a cost-competitive bid.

As a project development engineer building solar farms across the American Southwest, I've encountered few obstacles as formidable as caliche soil. This hardened layer of calcium carbonate creates unique engineering challenges that can significantly impact construction timelines and costs if not properly addressed. 

We performed a feasibility assessment on 52 solar and solar plus storage sites in the Eastern US.

As a project development engineering consultant, I've had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse range of companies all striving to bring their ambitious energy projects to fruition. The journey from concept to commissioning is often complex, riddled with technical hurdles, intricate timelines, and critical financial decisions. This is where Blended Power’s engineering expertise becomes indispensable. 

As project development engineers, we've tackled the real-world challenges of burrowing owl mitigation head-on. Our latest blog post offers a firsthand look at the practical solutions we've developed and implemented on solar projects, from strategic avoidance to the creation of artificial burrows. It's about finding a balance that works on the ground.

Last week, I posted about the core reasons why new investment in the transmission grid is needed. I’m continuing with a series of posts about ways developers can select project sites to minimize interconnection costs. One of the most common strategies employed by major renewable energy developers is pursuing projects with the largest scale possible. Maximizing the amount of power generated at a single location allows the developer to optimize the project’s economics by spread

For a developer siting projects today, small/medium utility scale projects can be a great option if you can find locations with low interconnection upgrades.  Those projects can still achieve similar economics to larger ones once transmission and proximity to load are considered.

We identified locations and owners of projects competing for interconnection with 2 of our clients.

Stories of hail damage make solar developers and O&Ms cringe because every incident makes project insurance harder to find and more...