Tag Archives: energy

Energized Work Plans Ensure Safety of Affected Workers during Solar Project Construction

From 2015–2019, total installed solar energy capacity in the United States nearly tripled from 23.44 gigawatts (GW) to 62.3 GW. While this solar energy boom is a positive sign of the country’s transition to green energy, it requires increased understanding of the hazards associated with solar energy project construction. Many contractors must contend with the

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Glare Analysis and Photo Simulations Provide Transparency throughout Solar Energy Project Development

Glare from solar panels can potentially impact sensitive receptors, such as aircraft pilots, air traffic controllers, motorists, residents, and recreationists. So, glint/glare analysis is increasingly becoming a required component of solar development applications at the local and federal levels. Additionally, depending on complexity, project components can be difficult for the public and decision-makers to conceptualize

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3 Keys to Successful Solar Permitting in Virginia

Virginia recently passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which includes a renewable portfolio standard that will require all of its utility companies to source 100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2050. As such, the demand for permitting and constructing renewable energy facilities is now stronger than ever. Successful solar permitting in Virginia requires

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Dudek Noise Tool Enables Streamlined Siting Decisions for Energy Storage Facilities

Energy storage facilities are often sited near electrical distribution substations in urban and suburban environments to capitalize on the energy demands in these areas. In such locations, noise-sensitive uses may exist nearby, such as residential neighborhoods, hospitals, churches, and schools. Introduction of a noise generation source, such as an energy storage facility, must take existing

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UAV-Based Construction Monitoring Delivers Accurate Daily Counts

Dudek’s Mapping and Surveying team leverages more than 20 years of experience providing survey, permitting, and construction monitoring services. In 2019, we worked with First Solar to create a UAV-based construction monitoring and materials counting survey system. Data is collected using UAVs and analyzed with machine learning technology to provide material counts, before being provided

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Using Zoom Webinar to Conduct Secure Virtual Public Outreach, Meetings, and Presentations

With stay-at-home orders in place, people are increasingly turning to online technology to meet virtually. For projects with a requirement to conduct public outreach or with a need to hold public board meetings or presentations, technologies like Zoom are critical. However, swift, widespread adoption of the technology also revealed vulnerabilities and weaknesses of the Zoom

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3 Tips for Infill Battery Energy Storage Permitting

Powin Energy’s 2-megawatt (MW)/8-MW-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) recently went online fewer than six months after the project was awarded, marking an energy industry first for the speed of battery energy storage permitting, manufacturing, installing, and commissioning of an asset of this size on a distribution feeder. Located in Irvine, California, the sys­tem provides

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