ERG Renewable Energy Consulting Group, LLC was recently retained by a large international consortium of renewable energy companies in Spain as part of the Strategic American Spanish Alliance (SASA) in the representation of SASA in North America. ERG Renewables is representing SASA and its member companies in the development of wind and solar renewable energy projects throughout North America through the provision of independent economic, financial and management consulting services in the evaluation, development, contracting and financing of renewable energy projects throughout North America.

Magtel Texas Renewables, LLC (Magtel) is the North American subsidiary of Magtel Group, S.A., headquartered in Cordoba, Spain. Amongst other things, Magtel Group, S.A. is a recognized leader in the development and construction of renewable energy projects worldwide. ERG was retained by Magtel to provide consulting assistance in structuring its entry into the North American renewable energy market. In particular, ERG provided guidance regarding the development of an optimized corporate structure for Magtel’s North American project activities. ERG also provided assistance in analyzing the technical, economic and financial feasibility of Magtel’s proposed 50 MW power project utilizing solar photovoltaic fixed panels and estimated to produce approximately 81 million kWh per year. The project is sited in San Antonio, Texas. In conjunction with this effort ERG performed a comprehensive economic/financial analysis of the project with ERG’s propriety computer model to develop the project capital cost, operating and maintenance expense, and proposed power pricing for inclusion in Magtel’s project proposal to CPS Energy. ERG was also instrumental in coordinating with CPS Energy on the project’s transmission interconnection requirements and staging of project development. In support of the project, Magtel proposed to develop manufacturing facilities for solar photovoltaic panels and structures on site providing significant opportunity for local employment. ERG was responsible for preparation of Magtel’s comprehensive project proposal for submission to CPS Energy and played a key role in followup negotiations with CPS Energy on Magtel’s behalf.

Members of the Firm performed a review of pertinent FERC licensing and associated environmental permitting requirements associated with the development of hydrokinetic energy projects in support of the City’s FERC Preliminary Permit for the investigation of developing such projects located in the area of the Atchafalaya Basin Outlet. Members of the Firm also provided briefings to the City regarding the current state of technology of hydrokinetic energy generators, development issues and the economic/financial aspects of such projects in support of the City’s efforts to comply with the requirements of its Preliminary Permit.

On behalf of a land owner, members of the Firm performed analyses in order to determine the feasibility of a combined solar voltaic and wind energy development located in southern California. In this regard, members of the Firm determined the sizing of the solar voltaic project and estimated wind power site capacity. Preliminary capital cost estimates were developed in support of performing an economic/financial analysis of the project. Members of the Firm coordinated with a major solar voltaic panel manufacturer and renewable energy development firm to develop a suitable structure between the project participants to move the project forward.

ERG was retained by a major speciality-line insurance underwriter to accomplish an independent Fair Market Appraisal for insurance purposes of a proposed project to accomplish a boiler addition and installation of a combustion turbine based combined heat and power (“CHP”) system for the University of Vermont Medical Center.

The project included the addition of three (3) new fire tube boilers, and associated equipment and systems, each rated at 600 BHP, with dual fuel capability. Each boiler is designed to produce 13,000 lbs./hr. of 90 psig steam. The project also included the addition the installation a newly manufactured Solar Mercury 50 recuperated industrial frame single shaft simple cycle combustion turbine rated at 4600 kW (ISO conditions) and associated equipment and systems.

ERG was retained by CitiGroup International to perform a site inspection and Fair Market Value and Distress Value appraisals for financing purposes of a bagasse-fired conventional steam boiler having a rated output of 265,000 lb./hr., at 900 PSIG and 90°F, a steam turbine generator unit rated at 20,000 kW, 13,800 V, 60 Hz, and other associated equipment installed at the Compañia Azucarera Salvadoreña, S.A.’s sugar mill in El Salvador.

ERG was retained by a specialty-line insurance underwriter to perform an independent Fair Market and Distress Value appraisal and estimation of average useful life for three solar voltaic power projects for insurance purposes. Two of the projects with installed capacity’s of .9 and 1.11 MW utilized cadmium telluride thin film solar voltaic panels. One project with an installed capacity of 1.6 MW utilized standard poly-crystalline type photo voltaic panels.

For RVI Group, Inc. (RVI), ERG developed structured lease return conditions for solar voltaic panels for inclusion in RVI’s issuance of project residual value insurance policies.

ERG was retained by CitiCapital to perform an independent review of a proposed combustion turbine waste heat recovery cogeneration system for installation at New York University. The project included three (3) natural gas fueled combustion turbines and three (3) saturated steam waste heat recovery boilers with duct burners, economizer systems, and associated equipment. In conjunction with this engagement, ERG prepared independent Fair Market Value and Distress value appraisals of the equipment for financing purposes

For RVI Group, Inc. (RVI), ERG performed research into the existence and nature of secondary resale markets for solar voltaic panels and associated equipment. ERG prepared a confidential report for RVI’s senior management.

For project insurance purposes, ERG developed independent Fair Market Value and Distress Value appraisals for RVI Group, Inc. concerning three proposed wind power projects located in Luebesse, Suelte and Uelitz, Germany, approximately 15 km South of Schwwerin, Germany. The proposed projects have a total installed capacity of 28.7 MW, and were designed to utilize thirteen 1.5 MW and four 2.3 MW Nordex wind turbines. All power output is being sold to WEMAG under the terms of Germany’s standard feed in tariff.

For CitiCapital, ERG prepared independent Fair market and Distress value appraisals of a project proposed by Chevron Energy to install 1 MW of solar photvoltaic power panels on parking structures on the California State University - Fresno campus.

For CitiCapital, ERG prepared independent Fair Market Value and Distress Value appraisals for capital leases purposes of a proposed industrial combined heat and power cogeneration project utilizing two Schmitt-Enertec 266 kW CHP modules.

For a specialty line insurance underwriter, ERG was retained to prepare independent Fair Market Value and Orderly Liquidation Value appraisals for insurance purposes for a one (1) MW rated fixed panel solar voltaic power project being developed by BP Solar.

For CitiCapital, ERG performed an independent review of an energy conservation measures program proposed for the City of Lompoc California by Chevron Energy Services, Inc., including amongst other things, the installation of a photovoltaic solar energy system at the City’s water treatment plant. ERG’s review concentrated on estimating the average useful life of the equipment proposed for the project.

For CitiCapital, ERG performed an independent review of an energy conservation measures program proposed for the City of Lompoc California by Chevron Energy Services, Inc., including amongst other things, the installation of a photovoltaic solar energy system at the City’s water treatment plant. ERG’s review concentrated on estimating the average useful life of the equipment proposed for the project.