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In the dynamic landscape of renewable energy engineering, navigating challenges across different project phases is critical. Keystone Engineering, armed with deep expertise in interconnected regional processes and competitive markets, provides unique perspectives in this intricate domain. This article focuses on the hurdles encountered in the deployment stage, particularly supply chain constraints, while exploring Keystone Engineering's vital role in overcoming them.
Supply chain issues often become roadblocks during the deployment stage of renewable energy projects. We'll discuss how Keystone Engineering efficiently counteracts these.
- Early Planning and Risk Identification: Keystone Engineering works closely with renewable energy project developers to spot potential supply chain risks early on. This enables the crafting of robust strategies to minimize these risks, such as diversifying suppliers, locking in long-term contracts, and building inventory.
- Expertise in Renewable Energy Supply Chains: Our specialized knowledge in renewable energy empowers us to navigate supply chains effectively, offering insights into pivotal suppliers, lead times, and associated risks.
- Strong Supplier Relationships: Keystone has nurtured valuable supplier relationships, giving us an edge in securing supplies and negotiating better terms, thus mitigating disruption impacts.
- Project Management Excellence: Our project management skills are pivotal for successfully navigating supply chain constraints, allowing for efficient coordination among various suppliers and robust schedule management.
Large Scale Solar Farm
This ambitious project included seven distinct solar farms located in Northeast Texas, covering over 130 acres and generating a significant 16MW of power. Keystone Engineering lent its expertise in civil, structural, and electrical engineering, ensuring an efficient supply chain that included elements such as local LV inverters, power collection networks, step-up transformers, and connections to MV overhead utilities. Pole-mounted reclosers and primary meters were also installed at each utility connection point. In addition, local PQM (Power Quality Monitoring) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems were implemented to allow remote monitoring by the owner.
Small Scale Solar Farm
These projects feature solar systems integrated into commercial buildings, each approximately 30kW in size. Keystone Engineering facilitated the incorporation of local inverter systems directly tied into the site's electrical distribution system. A utility net meter was also implemented, enabling the building to feed excess solar-produced electricity back into the grid.
Battery Energy Storage Systems
In a progressive move, Keystone Engineering was instrumental in adding a battery energy storage system to an existing solar facility. This involved implementing a dedicated MV (Medium Voltage) electrical overhead tap, pole-mounted reclosers, and primary meters specifically for the battery storage system. In line with modern industry standards, local PQM and SCADA systems were also employed to enable real-time monitoring, control, and remote shutdown capabilities of the battery storage modules.
- Early Risk Identification: Risk assessments and scenario planning play a key role in identifying potential supply chain risks.
- Supplier Diversification: Diversifying the supplier base cushions against potential disruptions.
- Long-Term Contracts: Such contracts can stabilize prices and ensure a consistent supply of key components.
- Inventory Management: Building an inventory of critical components serves as a buffer against supply chain disruptions.
- Collaboration with Keystone Engineering: Our expertise in supply chain management provides a valuable resource in identifying and mitigating risks effectively.
- Supply Chain Risk Management in Renewable Energy Projects: A Review of the Literature (2022): This study highlights the role of Owners Engineering and EPCM in mitigating supply chain risks, with Keystone Engineering as a case in point.
- The Role of Owners Engineering and EPCM in Managing Supply Chain Constraints in Renewable Energy Projects (2021): This research showcases Keystone Engineering’s successful interventions in supply chain risk management through case studies.
- Supply Chain Management in Renewable Energy Projects: A Comprehensive Review (2020): This paper emphasizes the need to tackle supply chain disruptions and underscores the critical role Keystone Engineering plays in this regard.
Navigating the complexities of supply chain constraints during the deployment stage is critical for the success of renewable energy projects. Keystone Engineering’s collaborative approach, supply chain management expertise, and a fact-based yet approachable communication style offer a road map for overcoming these challenges effectively.
