SoWiTec Group services

SOWITEC develops wind farms in Germany to support the diversity of energy sources and renewable energies policy of the government. Currently we focus on planning activities in the counties around Sonnenbühl including the regional authorities Neckar-Alb, Donau-Iller and Bodensee-Oberschwaben (lake constance-upper Swabia). We have numerous projects in preparation; the extent of SOWITEC`s wind power development plans currently amounts to some 250 wind turbines with a nominated capacity of up to 750 MW.

SOWITEC project has been involved in project engineering, design and construction of wind farms in Germany for several years. Our skilled team draws back on more than 15 years of experience. This ensures a diligent and profound realization of all planning phases. SOWITEC projekt provides the full range of engineering services for wind farm development and realisation. The complete Balance-of-Plant schedule, from civil engineering, road access, foundations to the entire electrical infrastructure planning, is processed and monitored by internal SOWITEC engineers. Coordination and observation of external specialists like for example geotechnical experts and surveyors are as well part of the duties of our engineering department.

Choosing the right marketing strategy is fundamental to increase the economical value of a wind farm project through the participation in emission trading. SOWITEC trading is in touch with many players of the carbon trading business sector - including European governments, private companies and carbon funds. Whether CERs, VERs or ERUs - our team advises and supports wind farm project companies entering into emission reduction purchase agreements and transactions on the stock market for CO2 certificates.

The first step of each wind energy project is the regional wind potential study to identify suitable sites. Free available sources such as wind atlases, meteorological stations data and reanalysis data as well as our own measurements and wind measurements undertaken by third parties are evaluated in this project phase. In addition, surface roughness and topography as well as grid connection capacities and the existing infrastructure are considered in the first site assessment.

Key benchmark of a solid economic forecast for a potential wind farm site is the wind speed. In addition to external data sources (meteorological stations, reanalysis data, etc.) we run own wind measurements on project sites.

The wind and site assessment is the first examination for each designated wind power project, to ensure a proper technical implementation and guarantee economical feasibility. As internal service provider, we perform a detailed validation for each of SOWITEC`s projects including all relevant meteorological and geographical characteristics, the wind profile, air density, temperature, digital terrain model, roughness, grid connection, access roads, etc.

During the wind farm conception, the so-called `micrositing`, appropriate wind turbines are defined for each site and the configuration (the `wind farm layout`) is optimised in accordance with existing wind conditions, topography and infrastructure. We prepare as well wind resource assessments upon international standards to ensure a solid basis further project development steps up to the commissioning date of each wind farm.

We create precise reports on environmental impacts for all proposed wind power projects of the SOWITEC group in close contact with relevant authorities to support a smooth and successful approval process. We prepare sound and shadow flicker analysis, conduct visibility studies and create simulations and landscape assessments. Furthermore, we carry out any necessary studies on specific issues such as increased risk of erosion, bird studies, forest land use, etc.

In almost every planning phase of a wind energy project, detailed and customized maps and plans serve as a basis for both, internal processes and as part of licensing procedures. Together with our teams in Latin America and Russia, we collect and prepare all relevant data based on sources like digital databases, methods of remote sensing (aerial and satellite image analysis) as well as on-site mapping, ranging from digital elevation models to detailed surface mapping to topographic and thematic maps.

SOWITEC trading develops models and processes all necessary documentation for the registration of SOWITEC`s wind farm projects in Latin America. The development process begins with a review of the project`s eligibility for the participation in the Clean Development Mechanism under financial and regulatory aspects. After successful completion of the due diligence, our team creates a comprehensive project description in accordance with the requirements of the UNFCCC and the host country. This includes the preparation of a baseline scenario, the calculation of the CO2 emission factor, the demonstration of additionality based on a financial model and finally the development of a detailed monitoring plan in accordance with national governmental and international standards.