The Aes Corporation · NYSE:AES
The Aes — Community Energy — Corporate Update (January 2021)
36 slides from The Aes's corporate update, Jan 5, 2021
Slide 1: White Creek Solar Preliminary Project Overview
WHITE CREEK SOLAR PRELIMINARY PROJECT OVERVIEW JANUARY 5, 2021 1
Slide 2: About Community Energy
About Community Energy • Privately held • 21 Years in renewable energy • 2,000 MW of renewable energy projects • 85+ solar projects in a dozen states • 50-person team • Developed first solar project to receive Article 10 approval 2
Slide 3: About Community Energy
About Community Energy 21+ years of experience Community Energy Solar LLC. is one of the leading and most experienced working together as independent solar project developers in the U.S. a team Founded in 1999, we have 21 years of experience moving renewable energy projects through successful permit
Slide 4: White Creek Solar
White Creek Solar • 135 MW Solar Project • Located in York and Leicester • Equivalent to use of 30,000 households • Grid connected • Community Energy: Developer • Timeline: – Permitting complete Q2 2022 – Construction start Q3 2022 – Interconnection complete Q3 2023 – Construction complete Q4 2023 4
Slide 5: Preliminary Project Layout
Preliminary Project Layout • Leases with 4 landowners • Final project area under lease to be ~1,000 ac • ~65% in the Town of York • ~35% of facility in the Town of Leicester 5
Slide 6: Preliminary Project Layout
Preliminary Project Layout York Leicester 6
Slide 7: Solar Technology
Solar Technology • Photovoltaic panels on trackers to follow the sun….very common and proven • Bifacial technology • 30 year warranty • Inverters to convert DC to AC • Buried electrical and communications cables • Project substation for connection to grid located in York. 7
Slide 8: Photovoltaic panels
Photovoltaic panels Primary materials (and % of solar panel construction): – Glass (76%-97%) – Aluminum (7% -10%) – Silicon (5%-7%) – The remaining materials consist of wiring and conductors made of copper, silver, and zinc. Of these materials, 95% of the glass and 100% of the aluminum is recyclable
Slide 9: Single Axis Tracking Technology
Single Axis Tracking Technology New solar panels track the sun like a sunflower 9
Slide 10: Typical Solar Trackers and Inverters
Typical Solar Trackers and Inverters 10
Slide 11: Typical Solar Array Configuration and Flow of Energy
Typical Solar Array Configuration and Flow of Energy SOLAR MODULES (aka PANELS) TRANSMISSION PROJECT SUBSTATION DISTRIBUTION AND POI ENERGY ROUTED TO PROJECT SUBSTATION CREATE DC POWER TRANSFORMERS / INVERTERS CONVERT DC TO AC AND STEP UP VOLTAGE Keystone Solar, 5 MW AC project located in Lancaster
Slide 12: Connecting to the Grid
Connecting to the Grid • We will connect to the existing transmission line running through the project. • Grid safety and reliability have been examined: no problems detected. • White Creek Solar expects to enter into the final interconnection study in February 2021. 12
Slide 13: Agriculture
Agriculture • Around 1,000 acres leased to the project • Siting avoids the prime farmland areas as determined by the Towns of York and Leicester • Low mow turf cover and/or pollinator blends will be planted beneath the panels • Invasive weed control plan • Preserves farms by “keeping it in the famil
Slide 14: No Local Infrastructure Burden
No Local Infrastructure Burden • No need for water or sewer • No burden on schools • No additional police/EMS/other services • No new roads for Town/County to maintain 14
Slide 15: Economy: Diversity & Grow
Economy: Diversity & Grow Additional Tax Revenue • The land hosting the solar project will no longer be taxed at the lower rate provided for agricultural land and will generate many times more in taxes compared to current land use. White Creek Solar pays all increased and ag exemption roll back taxe
Slide 16: Local Economic Opportunity
Local Economic Opportunity Construction Jobs A typical solar project has a 12-15 month construction period. During this period we work to hire local installation and electrical construction labor. There are also indirect benefits to the local business. During the life of the project it will be prope
Slide 17: Solar Project Decommissioning
Solar Project Decommissioning Restore for future farming • Remove all above-ground and below ground equipment including complete removal of posts • Restore land to farmable conditions • Financial surety by project company, determined by independent engineer and provided to satisfaction of local muni
Slide 18: NYS 94-C (ORES) Permitting
NYS 94-C (ORES) Permitting • Since larger than 25MW, White Creek Solar must follow 94-C or Article 10 • Local input is critical to the process – Compliance with Local Laws – Public meetings/engagement 1
Slide 19: Existing Article 10 Siting Process
Existing Article 10 Siting Process • Decisions made by the Department of Public Service (DPS) and the Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (Siting Board) • Includes a pre-application phase with a Public Involvement Program Plan (PIP) and Preliminary Scoping Statement (PSS) • Almos
Slide 20: New Section 94-c Siting Process
New “Section 94-c” Siting Process • Decision made by the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) within the Department of State - draft Regulations and Uniform Standards and Conditions (USC) were issued by ORES on September 16, 2020 • Provides for election into process for existing Article 10 proje
Slide 21: New Section 94-c Siting Process
New “Section 94-c” Siting Process • Office must make finding that the project, along with uniform and site-specific conditions, would comply with applicable laws and regulations • Only projects with “substantive and significant” issues require hearings and briefing • ORES can elect not to apply a lo
Slide 22: Section 94-c Overview
Section 94-c Overview Intervenor Funding Completeness ORES issues Draft Submit Application Application within Review Permit Conditions 30 days 60 days 60 days Recommended Min. 60 day Public Issues Hearings if Decision and Comment Period Determination Required Hearing Report Final Determination (1 ye
Slide 23: White Creek Solar Preliminary Project Overview
WHITE CREEK SOLAR PRELIMINARY PROJECT OVERVIEW JANUARY 5TH, 2021 1
Slide 24: Technical Topics Overview
Technical Topics Overview • Content of a 94-c siting application • Wetlands and Streams • Avian Studies Ben Brazell Principal, Environmental Services 2
Slide 25: Section 94-c Application Exhibits
Technical Topics Overview Section 94-c Application Exhibits • Content of a 94-c siting 1: General Requirements 14: Wetlands application 2: Overview and Public Involvement 15: Agricultural Resources • Wetlands and Streams 3: Location of Facilities and Surrounding Land Use 16: Effect on Transportation
Slide 26: Section 94-c Studies
Technical Topics Overview Section 94-c Studies • Content of a 94-c siting application • Preconstruction Noise Impact Assessment – RSG* • Visual Impact Assessment - EDR* • Wetlands and Streams • Historic Resources Survey – EDR* • Avian Studies • Phase IA* and Phase IB Archaeological Surveys – EDR • P
Slide 27: Wetlands and Streams
Technical Topics Overview Wetlands and Streams • Content of a 94-c siting • Wetland and stream delineations were conducted between application August and November 2020. • Wetlands and Streams • Boundaries of all wetlands and streams on lands associated with the Project were delineated. • Avian Studi
Slide 28: Avian Studies
Technical Topics Overview Avian Studies • Content of a 94-c siting • Consultation with US Fish and Wildlife Service, NY Natural Heritage Program, application and NY State Department of Environmental Conservation to identify listed threatened & endangered (T&E) species in the project vicinity initiat
Slide 29: Technical Topics Overview
Technical Topics Overview • Visual Resources Matthew Robinson Visualization Project Manager 7
Slide 30: Define Affected Environment
Technical Topics Overview Define Affected Environment • Visual Resources • Definition of Visual Study Area (2-miles) • Identification of Visually Sensitive Resources • Identification of Viewer Groups • Viewshed Analysis / Mapping • Public Information Outreach 8
Slide 31: Define Affected Environment
Technical Topics Overview Define Affected Environment • Visual Resources • Example Landscape Similarity Zones Landscape Similarity Zones • Rural Residential / Agricultural • Forest • Hamlet • Transportation Corridor • Village 9
Slide 32: Evaluate Potential Visibility
Technical Topics Overview Evaluate Potential Visibility • Visual Resources • Viewshed Analysis • Field Review/Assessment 10
Slide 33: Appearance of the Facility
Technical Topics Overview Appearance of the Facility • Visual Resources • Proposed Equipment - PV panels - Racking - Inverters - Fencing • 3D Model 11
Slide 34: Visual Impact Analysis
Technical Topics Overview Visual Impact Analysis • Visual Resources • Visual Simulations • From representative viewpoints, Including, LSZ, Distance Zone, areas of public concentration and VSRs 12
Slide 35: Visual Impact Analysis
Technical Topics Overview Visual Impact Analysis • Visual Resources • Rating Panel consists of professionals trained in the field of visual assessments, includes Landscape Architects and Planners • Mix of In house and independent professionals with no connection to the project. • Evaluate contrast o
Slide 36: Results and Conclusions
Technical Topics Overview Results and Conclusions • Visual Resources • Visual Impact Assessment (including background research, field experience, and public outreach) - Potential Visibility - Visual Impact - Need for Visual Mitigation 14