Introduction

The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute offers expertise and experience in a range of consultancy and products relating to renewable energy. This exploits the Institute’s unique combination of understanding of the policy and strategic needs for renewable energy, requirements for planning and regulators, and the tools and expertise for assessing specific proposals for renewable energy developments.

Services and consultancy to both public and private sectors:

• Strategic and tactical planning for wind energy developments for local authorities

• Site suitability for renewable energy developments
  • Environmental Impact Assessments
  • Visualisations and 3D modelling
  • Shadow flicker, photomontage and wireframe modelling for visual impact assessments
  • Hydrological assessments
  • Peat slide risks
  • Ecological assessments
  • Social impact assessments

• Raising public awareness and public consultations for renewable developments
• Reviewing Environmental Statements for windfarm developers and government
• Modelling and decision support tools
• Maps and environmental data for sites in Scotland

Example current and past projects

• Public consultations for windfarm proposals in central, north and north-east Scotland, and east England
• Virtual reality modelling of windfarm proposals – Aberdeen offshore windfarm
• Biofuels assessment for Fife
• Strategic assessment of visual impacts of wind turbines for Scottish Borders
• Cumulative visual impacts of windfarms developments – Mid-Wales (public enquiry)
• Visual impacts and screening options for windfarm in Lincolnshire
• Fly/drive-throughs of renewables developments
• Cumulative visual impact of windfarms – along track analysis
• Landscape capacity and sensitivity to wind turbine developments
• Communicating new concepts – wave power linked with exploration structures