AEC Engineering

Today : Mon 6th Sep 2010

Renewable & Alternative Energy

Market Sector Overview
AEC Engineering, a part of the IDOM Group (also known as AEC Idom), provides comprehensive engineering services for renewable and alternative energy generation facilities. IDOM has been and is a leader in Europe in solar, wind and biofuel power generation engineering and consulting. Europe and Spain in particular lead the world in the development of renewable power sources. We have significant experience and substantial resources to assist in the development of any “green” power project in North America. Our 2700+ professionals located in 12 countries and four continents readily supply a structured and disciplined approach to take full advantage of the newest technologies in the rapidly growing market sector.

Our engineers have extensive knowledge and experience in the design, construction and operation of biofuels (biodiesel and ethanol), biomass, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and wind generation facilities for clients around the world. Projects include greenfield developments, retrofits, section rebuilds, capacity additions, due diligence studies and other design projects. AEC Idom’s specifications and drawings can be provided in English and Spanish as over 70% of our Industry and Energy Group is bilingual. Our client base includes many of the leading renewable power development companies in the world. In a following section, we have a listing of a few of our strategic clients that have developed longstanding relationships. Overviews of our experience in these markets include

Biofuels

IDOM has successfully participated in the development of projects involving energy production from landfill gas, bioethanol and biodiesel for over three decades. A recent example of a unique project is the development of a biodiesel process using metal catalyst and the basic design of a 60 million gallon per year biodiesel plant in New York state. An example of a specialized project is the detailed design for storage and loading facilities for a biodiesel plant in Minnesota.

Solar Energy

IDOM has provided detailed design for thermal solar and photovoltaic power plants ranging in size from rooftop photovoltaic collectors of 10 KW’s to an integrated combined cycle power plant utilizing conventional natural gas powered energy supplemented with 20 MW’s of power from solar troughs.

Wind Energy

IDOM has been involved in basic and detailed engineering for wind farm projects of all sizes on four continents. Additionally, IDOM has participated in the design of new wind blade plants in Pennsylvania and a new wind blade and nacelle plant in China. Services include structural design of foundations and technical assistance for the manufacturing layout, handling of components, and operations.

A Few of our Clients

A&R Logistics
Abengoa/Abener
Acciona Energia
Alliant Energy
Arrento Biocarburantes
Biocombustibles de Zierbena
Biooils Huelva
Canon Power Espana
Cellancor
Collosa-Biocyl

Diesel Energy
Elogia
Evercat Fuels
Gamesa
Gebiosa
GES USA
Matrix Services Inc.
Neo Energia
Tussol
Vestas

Project Examples

Biodiesel Production Facility (Minnesota)

AEC developed the process model (using HYSYS) for a 3 MM GPY biodiesel facility that utilizes multiple feedstocks, including corn oil, algae oil, yellow grease, brown grease and white grease in addition to traditional soybean oil and other oilseed materials. AEC developed the P&ID’s for the process scaleup from the lab scale to the 3 MM GPY facility. The technology is based upon the utilization of a unique metal catalyst reactor.

Following completion of the pilot plant by the owner (Ever Cat Fuels), AEC designed the Balance of Plant tank farm, truck loading facility and secondary containments for the tank farm and loading facility. The 3 MM GPY facility is scheduled for completion in late 2008.

60 MM GPY Biodiesel Facility

IDOM performed the detailed engineering for a 60 MM GPY biodiesel plant that utilizes soybean oil, rapeseed oil and palm oil as feedstocks. The plant is owned by Biocumbustibles de Ziebana and is located in Spain. IDOM provided the detailed engineering for the facility including civil (layout, arrangement, utilities, buildings), structural (foundations, pipe racks), mechanical (piping, supports and stress analysis, isometrics) and electrical (single line diagrams, cable trays, cable lists, distribution design) engineering, in addition to instrumentation and controls design and specifications for the process.

Wind Farms

Our team of engineers, designers and consultants have performed feasibility studies, basic design and detailed engineering for wind farm projects around the world. The projects have ranged in scope from single turbine units to the design of foundations for hundreds of wind turbines installed in various regions of the world.

IDOM’s project responsibilities have included the civil design of roads and support facilities, structural design of wind turbine foundations in addition to blade handling, and erection equipment and procedures. Electrical design included sub-stations, instrumentation and other power distribution systems. Pre-construction activities have included feasibility studies and site planning documents.

Contact for Renewable and Alternative Energy

Al Davis, P.E.
Email: ACDavis@aecengineering.com
Office: 804-545-7906

Lignocellulosic Ethanol Facility

The project involved the processing of wheat straw biomass into ethanol in Salamanca, Spain, for Abengoa Bioenergy. The design capacity of the plant is 1.25 MM GPY. IDOM provided the detailed engineering for the facility including civil (layout, arrangement, utilities, buildings), structural (foundations, pipe racks), mechanical (piping, supports and stress analysis, isometrics) and electrical (single line diagrams, cable trays, cable lists, distribution design) engineering, in addition to instrumentation and controls design and specifications for the process.

11 MW Concentrated Solar Power Plant

IDOM performed the detailed engineering for a 11 MW concentrated solar power plant in Spain for Abener. The power plant is based upon tower and flat heliostat technology, consisting of a field of 624 heliostats that reflect the sun’s radiant energy to a 374 foot tower. A solar receptor is located at the top of the tower. The receptor transforms the radiant energy to thermal energy, generating saturated steam to drive a turbine electric generator. In addition to the detailed engineering provided by IDOM for the site layout and structural engineering, and mechanical and electrical engineering, the plant also includes an accumulation system which partially compensates for heliostat inefficiency due to cloud cover.