IX Renewables offers comprehensive consultancy and management services across the entire lifecycle of two significant floating offshore wind development projects in Taiwan, Rui-Li and Rui-Yao, collectively known as the Ketagalan Virtues Portfolio. From initial site selection through to project execution, IX Renewables leverages its industry expertise to ensure project success.
Services Provided
Site Selection and Design
Using advanced GIS technology, IX Renewables conducted thorough analyses to determine the most suitable sites for (floating) wind energy, focusing on balancing technical feasibility, environmental sustainability, regulatory compliance and economic viability.
Site selection and design: A precision driven approach
IX Renewables provided site selection and design services for Rui-Li and Rui-Yao, utilizing Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for site analysis. This method allowed for the evaluation of geographical and environmental data to identify suitable locations for energy generation while considering environmental impacts. It included Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) calculations, which helped determine the economic viability of potential sites by analyzing costs and energy output. Choosing sites with lower LCoE values aimed to ensure the project was both economically feasible and sustainable.
GIS technology was crucial for integrating data on various data sources, aiding in the selection of optimal sites in a systematic, well defined manner. The process then moved into the design phase, where the initial layout of wind turbines was planned, taking site-specific characteristics into account. This phase aimed to create a concept design (see below) that balanced energy production, cost-effectiveness, and environmental considerations. An iterative approach to design allowed for adjustments based on feasibility, focusing on creating a practical project plan. This service by IX Renewables emphasized a systematic approach to achieving a sustainable and efficient project outcome.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Management
IX Renewables undertook, in collaboration with a local EIA consultancy company, a comprehensive EIA process, blending global best practices with local expertise. IX Renewables manages the process, ensuring that the EIA meets all regulatory and stakeholder expectations, thus safeguarding the project's environmental and moral integrity.
Ensuring Environmental Integrity through Strategic EIA Management with Economic Insight
For the Rui-Li and Rui-Yao projects in Taiwan, conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was critical to ensure the projects' adherence to environmental sustainability standards. To this end, Rui-Li brought together IX Renewables and a local EIA consultancy company, leveraging their combined expertise. This partnership allowed the project to benefit from both global best practices and local insights specific to Taiwan.
The local EIA consultancy company handled the direct execution of the EIA, gathering environmental data and drafting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Their global experience and local knowledge were crucial in thoroughly assessing the environmental aspects of the project. IX Renewables took on a key management role in the EIA process, providing direction and ensuring the process's overall quality. The team coordinated with the subcontractors to make sure the EIA aligned with the project’s goals and the technical requirements, overseeing data collection strategies and the integration of environmental and economic considerations into the EIS.
This collaboration was characterized by a shared focus on delivering a detailed and reliable EIS. IX Renewables’ role in managing and ensuring quality, combined with on-the-ground data collection and analysis, aimed to meet the expectations of both regulators and stakeholders.
The process was designed to be thorough yet realistic, avoiding any overstatements that could lead to unnecessary costs, and aiming to balance the project’s needs with those of the community and other stakeholders.
In summary, Rui-Li’s decision to work with both IX Renewables and a local EIA consultancy company, demonstrates a comprehensive approach to the EIA. IX Renewables provided critical oversight, ensuring the EIA process was well-managed and aligned with project objectives, while the local EIA consultancy company’s execution focused on gathering and analyzing environmental data. This partnership ensured the EIA was grounded in both global expertise and local context, facilitating regulatory approval and reinforcing the project's commitment to environmental and community well-being.
Business Case Preparation
A detailed financial model was developed for evaluating project feasibility and guiding strategic decisions through subsequent project phases, adhering to international standards recognized by banks and investors.
Business case: as basis for decision making
In delivering a tailored business case and financial analysis for the Rui-Li and Rui-Yao offshore wind projects, the focus was initially on the feasibility evaluation stage. The developed financial model, adhering to international standards recognized by banks and investors, served as a foundational tool in assessing the economic viability of these pioneering projects. This model was constructed with a forward-looking approach, designed to not only support the current feasibility evaluation but also to evolve in sophistication for future bid preparation phases and further execution of the project(s).
The initial focus on feasibility aimed to provide a clear snapshot of the project's financial aspects, ensuring that all preliminary considerations were examined. As the projects progress, this financial model is further refined and expanded, continuing to be an important asset for guiding strategic decisions across subsequent phases. The model's adaptability will allow it to inform decision-making processes for the development team as they navigate the complexities of procurement, achieve financial close, and move towards the fabrication, construction, and installation stages. This approach underscores IX Renewables' commitment to offering services that not only meet immediate project needs but also anticipate and prepare for future demands, ensuring stakeholders have a reliable basis for making informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle.
Geo Site Investigations
Overseeing geographical surveys and ensuring data accuracy for project planning, IX Renewables emphasized precision in foundational project work.
IX Renewables managed the geographical surveys for the Rui-Li and Rui-Yao offshore wind projects, selecting a subcontractor for their expertise in conducting these surveys. The focus was on overseeing the survey process and ensuring all operations met the project's requirements.
A client's representative was present during the surveys to oversee the work directly and ensure effective communication between all parties involved.
After the surveys, IX Renewables was responsible for checking the quality of the collected data. This step was crucial to confirm the data's accuracy before using it in the project's planning stages. The verified data was then integrated into the project's Geographic Information System (GIS) database, ensuring that the project planning was based on reliable and up-to-date geographical information.
Concept & Basic Designs
Responsible for the conceptual and basic design phases, IX Renewables created initial layouts that consider technical requirements, cost-effectiveness, and environmental considerations, including T&I and O&M planning.
For the Rui-Li and Rui-Yao offshore wind projects, IX Renewables was responsible for overseeing the concept and basic design phases. This stage involved the initial design work necessary to establish the overall layout and technical specifications of the wind farms. The company focused on developing preliminary designs that included considerations for the wind turbines' placement, the electrical infrastructure, and the mooring systems for the floating turbines. The goal was to create a design that was technically feasible, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious. Furthermore various high level Transport and Installation (T&I) concepts were devised to also take the execution phase into account. Finally an O&M concept was prepared to consider the operational phase of Rui-Li.
IX Renewables worked closely with specialized contractors to ensure that all aspects of the design met industry standards and project requirements.
Following the completion of the concept design, IX Renewables proceeded with the basic design, which further refined the project's technical details and specifications. This phase allowed for a deeper exploration of the engineering solutions needed to bring the project to fruition. Important elements such as the selection of turbine models, the electrical systems design and potential routing of submarine cables were prepared. Throughout this process, the team ensured that the design decisions followed the latest information on technology and best practices in the offshore wind sector, recording them in a decision log. The company's management of these design phases laid a solid foundation for the subsequent detailed engineering and construction planning, moving the projects closer to realization.
Contracting Strategy
A strategic approach to procurement is established for Rui-Li, focusing on the efficient sourcing of materials and services, while ensuring partners meet project standards for safety, quality, and sustainability
For Rui-Li, IX Renewables created a contracting and procurement strategy to guide the project towards execution. This strategy balanced technical, financial, and logistical aspects to streamline the sourcing of materials and services. The project was divided into work packages based on a straightforward analysis of project requirements, market conditions, and supplier capabilities, keeping the specifics confidential for strategic reasons.
The selection process for suppliers and contractors focused on essential criteria: technical ability, safety commitment, and reliability in delivery within budget. This process aimed to ensure chosen partners meet the project's standards for safety, quality, and sustainability while being economically viable. Implementing this procurement strategy is intended to build a stable supply chain that supports the project's timely and budget-friendly completion, preparing Rui-Li for successful bidding and execution.
Project Execution Plan (PEP)
The PEP for Rui-Li outlines the necessary steps, responsibilities, and schedules for guiding the project from bid award to commercial operation, ensuring a structured approach to project management.
IX Renewables developed the Project Execution Plan (PEP) for the Rui-Li offshore wind project, guiding it from the award of the bid to commercial operation. This document outlines the steps, responsibilities, and schedules required to complete the project, emphasizing the need for clear coordination and risk management. It's a practical tool that ensures all project aspects, from technical to environmental considerations, are planned out in advance. This planning is essential for keeping the project on track, within budget, and in compliance with safety and quality standards.
The PEP's role in the Rui-Li project is to provide a framework for execution, detailing how various tasks and objectives will be achieved. It helps in aligning the project team and stakeholders on the project's goals and methods, facilitating smoother operations and decision-making processes. By laying out a clear plan for moving from construction to operation, the PEP helps in mitigating risks and addressing challenges efficiently. This structured approach is critical for the successful implementation and future operation of large-scale projects like Rui-Li.
Government Relations and Stakeholder Management
IX Renewables engages stakeholders with respect, honesty, and sincerity, actively listening and fairly addressing concerns, particularly from fisher associations, to ensure positive community impact.
IX Renewables emphasizes respect, honesty, and sincerity in its approach to Government Relations and Stakeholder Management for the Rui-Li and Rui-Yao projects. The company is committed to engaging with government bodies, fisher associations, local communities, environmental groups, and industry partners, ensuring regulatory compliance and fostering support for offshore wind development.
A cornerstone of this engagement is the respectful and open dialogue with fishermen associations and other stakeholders, underscoring the importance of listening to their concerns and addressing them fairly wherever possible. By acting with integrity and transparency on behalf of the project, IX Renewables aims to build trust, secure social license to operate, and navigate project milestones effectively, ensuring that the projects proceed with the collective interests and well-being of all stakeholders in mind.
Summary and Conclusion
IX Renewables' comprehensive services for the Ketagalan Virtues Portfolio, particularly for the Rui-Li and Rui-Yao projects, demonstrate the company's integral role in ensuring the success of these significant renewable energy endeavors. Through planning, innovative solutions, and strategic management, IX Renewables has laid a solid foundation for the sustainable and efficient realization of these projects, reinforcing its commitment to advancing the renewable energy sector and being of value to future generations.
