GCS Water and Environmental Divisions have combined with GCS Geotechnical and other specialist service providers within GCS to provide a specialised Renewable Energy Unit.

The aim of the unit is to provide a cost effective and efficient service to our clients, which is tailored to the specific requirements of each project.

The GCS Renewable Energy Unit draws its experience from all divisions of the company including Geotechnical, Water, Waste, Environmental and GIS.

Typical renewable energy projects begin with a review of project needs to define the required material properties. From there follows a site investigation of soil, rock, fault distribution and bedrock properties on and below an area of interest to determine their engineering properties including how they will interact with, on, or in a proposed construction.

Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical Engineering Services to include:

·         Geotechnical Desktop Studies, Feasibility Studies, and Site Investigations for solar and wind farms.

·         Detailed geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical data are often a notable unknown factor in the design and operation of renewable energy projects, the lack of which may pose a significant risk to the project. GCS offers a phased and systematic approach towards site assessment, implementation and construction supervision and the identification and mitigation of geotechnical constraints.

·         Site Investigations including test pitting, auger boreholes, borehole drilling, in-situ sampling and testing, penetrometer testing including DPL, DCP, DPSH and CPTu.

·         Geophysical Surveys including resistivity, magnetic, electromagnetic, seismic, GPR and gravity surveys. Pile Load testing of rammed piles.

·         Permeability testing including percolation tests, double ring infiltrometer and Lefranc.

·         Geotechnical drilling and in situ borehole testing including SPTs, pressure meter, Lugeon/Packer tests. Plate-load tests and compaction assessment for founding conditions.

·         All associated laboratory testing and analysis for disturbed and undisturbed samples.

Water Services

Water services to include:

Hydrology

·        Hydrology impact assessments

·        Flood lines & flood risk

·        Stormwater management plans

Hydrogeology

·        Hydrogeological Investigation for water supply,

·        Geophysical Investigation for Geological site characterisation,

·        Hydrogeological impact assessments, and

·        Hydrogeological baseline assessments.

Environmental Management

Environmental Services to include:

·        Environmental Screening Assessments

·        Environmental Authorisations

·        Water Use Licensing

·        Terrestrial and Aquatic Specialist Studies

·        Closure Cost Determinations

·        Decommissioning and Rehabilitation Plans