AEC Engineering

433 kW Photovoltaic Architectural Roof, Forum of Cultures, Barcelona

HTF Piping for 50 MW Solar Field in La Risca, Spain

Neg Micon (Vestas) Wind Turbine, Valencia

Today : Mon 6th Feb 2012

Renewable & Alternative Energy

Market Sector Overview

AEC Engineering, an IDOM Group Company (also known as AEC Idom), provides comprehensive engineering services for renewable and alternative energy generation facilities. IDOM is a global leader in solar, wind, biomass and other renewable energy power generation engineering and consulting. We have been fortunate to have years of experience in Europe, Northern Africa and Latin America and have substantial resources to assist in the development of any “green” power project in North America. Our 2700+ professionals located in 15 countries and five continents readily supply a structured and disciplined approach to take full advantage of the newest technologies in this rapidly maturing market sector.

Our engineers have extensive knowledge and experience in the design, construction and operation of biofuels (biodiesel and ethanol), biomass, solar thermal, photovoltaic and wind generation facilities for clients around the world. Projects include greenfield developments, feasibility studies, retrofits, capacity additions, due diligence and other engineering projects. AEC Idom’s specifications and drawings can be provided in English, Spanish and other languages 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 we have developed longstanding relationships. Overviews of our experience in these markets include

Solar Energy

IDOM has provided basic and detailed design for solar thermal and photovoltaic power plants ranging in size from rooftop photovoltaic collectors of 10 kW’s to an integrated 470 MW combined cycle power plant utilizing conventional natural gas powered energy supplemented with 25 MW’s of power from the solar field. We have significant experience in the design of fixed, single axis and dual axis tracking photovoltaic projects exceeding 50 MW’s. Our CSP experience rivals that of any company in the business.

Biomass

Our engineers have been designing biomass plants for power generation, gasification and the production of biofuels since 1998. Presently we are designing power generation facilities that utilize a multitude of fuels such as construction debris, tires, woody waste, straw, sawdust, olive process residue and other waste fuels. Our early plant designs were relatively small and ranged up to 5 MWe of generation capacity. Today we are designing a European facility that will generate 50 MW’s of electric power.

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. Our Advanced Design and Analysis group provided design, procurement and construction management of the world largest 8 MW wind turbine testing facility.

Biofuels

IDOM has successfully participated in the development of projects involving production of 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. An example of a specialized project is the detailed design for storage and loading facilities for a biodiesel plant in Minnesota. We have designed several biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol plants globally.

A Few of our Clients

A&R Logistics
Abengoa/Abener
Acciona
Alstom Power
Arrento Biocarburantes
Biocombustibles de Zierbena
Biooils Huelva
Canon Power Espana
Cellancor
Diesel Energy

Elogia
Evercat Fuels
Gamesa
Gebiosa
GES USA
General Electric
Iberdrola E&C
Matrix Services Inc.
Tussol
Vestas

Concentrating Solar Power - Project Examples

50 MW Concentrated Solar Power Plant

IDOM and its affiliate SerIDOM designed and constructed as the EPC contractor the power block (steam generation, steam turbine and auxiliary systems) of concentrating solar power plant located in La Risca, Badajoz (Spain) for ACCIONA ENERGIA. The plant has solar collectors assemblies (SCA) field divided into four parts. The SCA field will consist of 768 total SCA’s composed of 8 SCA’s per loop and 96 loops and a power block with the steam generation system. IDOM provided the following engineering services:

Basic engineering including energy balances, design criteria, plant layout, etc.
Detailed engineering including technical specifications and data sheets, calculations, drawings, etc. for civil works, process, piping, electricity and I&C
Commissioning procedures
Operation and maintenance manuals

This plant is representative of eight other CSP plants that IDOM is involved as the engineer of the EPC team or as the Owner’s engineer.

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.

526 kW Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant

IDOM worked closely with GES and Honeywell in developing a large solar power system for the city of Wilmington, Delaware. This solar plant provides power to the city’s water filtration plant, which provides 75% of the water to the city. The solar plant consists of 2,288 modules (230 watts each) connected in strings of 13 panels each. The plant is projected to provide over 650 MWh annually.

15 MW SOLEX Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant

IDOM has had a major role in the design and construction of a large, solar PV plant in Badajoz, Spain, with a total power output of 15.9 MW’s. The project actually consisted of two separate plants in the region with over 200 single-axis SunCarrier systems in each plant. Besides the power plant area, it was necessary to build more than 6 km (3.7 miles) of roads in this region. Over 120 workers and eight tower cranes were used to install over 15 Suncarrier systems a day. The high-quality solar modules manufactured by market leaders Solon, Suntech, and Aleo produce enough energy to power over 9,000 homes.

Biomass - Project Examples

Biomass Gasification Power Plant on the Island of Oahu

Biomass Gasification Power Plant on the Island of Oahu AEC Idom provided basic engineering of a biomass gasification to energy facility in an industrial park near Honolulu, Hawaii (USA). The project is designed and will be constructed in two 7.5MW phases. Fuel includes construction & demolition debris, tires and in the second phase sterilized medical waste. Gasification technology will be used in order to produce syngas to be fired in the boiler, whose steam will be employed in the steam turbine generator.

Wind - Project Examples

Wind Farms

Our team of engineers, designers and consultants has 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.

Hydroelectric/Wind Hybrid Power and Pump Storage System

Hydroelectric/Wind Hybrid Power and Pump Storage System One of the smallest of inhabited islands in the eastern Atlantic, will soon be “carbon neutral.” With a population of around 10,000, the island will be powered and supplied fresh water by a unique combination of wind and hydroelectric power. IDOM has provided basic engineering, detailed design, landscape design, procurement management and construction management for five 2.3 MW Enercon wind turbines that will generate electricity for the island and pump water almost 2000 feet to a reservoir. When the wind is insufficient for power generation, water from the upper reservoir will be released and will turn 4 Pelton Hydropower turbines and generate up to 11.3 MW of power. Excess power will be used for desalination for irrigation and consumption.

Biofuels - 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.

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.

Contacts for Renewable and Alternative Energy

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

John Hart
Email: JRHart@aecengineering.com
Office: 804-545-7907