Case Studies

Renewable Energy

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Civil & Structural Engineering

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Energy

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Renewables

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Overview of service

ORS are engaged on numerous projects in the area of renewable energy from early design stage to construction stage. Clients have ranged from developers of large scale energy generation projects to small scale local energy users. Examples of two such services are provided here.

One example is in the design of infrastructure for solar energy generation projects. ORS was recently engaged by Entrust to carry out a preliminary design of a 20m span bridge across the Silver River in Co. Offaly. This bridge was required in order to give access to lands for the development of a large solar farm development.

A site inspection and walk-over was carried out with the project owner to better understand the site constraints and identify potential locations for the bridge. As this was to be part of a new internal project track network there was some flexibility in locating the bridge as opposed to the site being pre-determined by an existing road network.

Design information provided to ORS included topographical information in the form of a Digital Surface Model (DSM) and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) for the general area. A preliminary flood risk assessment was carried out by the client and provided to ORS for review. After a number of design iterations, a design was provided to our client which met their needs and was acceptable to the consenting authority.

In terms of services provided to smaller scale clients, ORS have recently completed structural reviews of a number of Dublin City Centre buildings where there was a need to review the intention to mount solar panels on existing roofs from a structural point of view. Investigations have been carried out for the HSE at Phoenix Care Centre, Grangegorman and for the Communications Workers Union at 575 North Circular Road, Drumcondra.

In many cases these buildings have been constructed in a single phase and can be readily assessed based on engineering design drawings provided by the client. However, in one recent project a building under review had been extended on two occasions with the result that three different roof structural arrangements had to be assessed before an opinion on the additional loading could be offered to our client.

The review of this building lead to a recommendation to allow solar panel loading within two distinct areas but to avoid loading in a third area due to the presence of a single skin metal deck unsuited for the intended panels.

Project challenges

& Solutions

In terms of developing new infrastructure to facilitate access to lands, specific challenges at planning stages often include unknown ground conditions and working to the requirements of relevant authorities and agencies such as Inland Fisheries and the Office of Public Works. Handling large spatial based data such as DTM and DSM files can be a challenge however this was overcome through data processing by our experienced technicians to provide engineers with workable file formats. This challenge can present itself when site-wide surveys are carried out to inform wide scale civil engineering decisions and are later applied to localised study areas.

Based on experience and existing relationships with external agencies, we were well placed to develop suitable concept designs to provide the client with a robust design suitable to incorporate into planning applications.

Challenges in assessing existing roof structures are often centred on unknown roof construction unless opening-up works are carried out. Also, in order to assess loadings for solar panels, clients will need to provide proposed panel supplier technical information and there are challenges here in ensuring loads provided account for all possible scenarios including permanent, snow and wind loading. Finally, agreeing a means of transfer of load through the roof without unduly impacting waterproofing details is an area which needs to be considered. Solutions to each of these challenges are driven by ORS, informed by a practical approach with minimal intervention in the building structure even in cases where strengthening works are deemed necessary.

Leads

Key Contacts

View Bio

David McCormack

Director
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Mark Heslin

Associate and Civil & Structural Engineering Lead

N5 Westport to Turlough Road

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