Reference no: EM133694204 , Length: word count:1500

Sustainable Practice in Engineering

Assessment Environmental Impact Assessment report

Definition of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report:

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool used to identify the environmental, social (community) and economic impacts of a project before decision-making. The term "environmental' is applied in the broadest possible sense. An EIA aims to predict potential impacts at an early stage in project planning, find ways and means to reduce identified adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers. The environmental impacts identified would need to be more comprehensive than what was discussed in Assessment 1.

The EIA report brings together identified social, economic and environmental impacts of a proposed project and suggests suitable mitigation actions to avoid or mitigate any adverse impacts. An EIA report is created so that the decision-makers are made aware well in advance of the consequences, both negative and positive impacts of a proposed project so that these can be taken into consideration at the design stage.

Task overview
In this scenario-based task, you will investigate relevant technical, economic and sustainability challenges for the development of a solar energy farm using appropriate guidelines and techniques. For this assessment, you need to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment.

Task Preparation
The solar energy farm to be located at QUT's Camp Mountain Site (i.e. SERF site, Samford) should have the capacity to meet the energy needs of 1000 residential buildings in the Ferny Grove suburb and surrounds

As the same team as before, you will prepare the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed development based on the Report Guide provided in Canvas.

You need to build on the work done in the preliminary feasibility report submitted previously. However, you can change any of the features if considered necessary.
In your group, review the opportunities and constraints and impacts you have identified in your previous report. Determine the best options for the development to reduce its environmental footprint, taking into account the site constraints, environmental and sustainability considerations, and requirements outlined below.
Identify the potential impacts of the project using the Scoping Study template provided in Canvas which should be submitted as part of your report.

The project essentials at the minimum (some of which you would have determined for the previous report, but may require further improvements for this report), include:
Description of the development and the key features, including a clear justification of why these specific options have been selected.
If required, further enhancement of the previously developed seasonal daily energy load profiles and seasonal solar energy production profiles.
Based on the load and supply production profiles, the design of the renewable energy farm.
Identify the primary source of electrical energy generation (solar energy) coupled with battery storage and to ensure the reliability of continuous supply, the provision of a backup supply. The decision on the backup supply (e.g. gas turbine generator) capacity should be based on the composition options of renewable resources employing life cycle costing and using NPV.
Project ‘Return On Investment' (ROI):
Research cost of solar panels, battery, and generator
Use rates provided for provided siteworks, and yearly ongoing cost.
Note overhead costs include maintenance, insurance, and administration etc. Ignore all other costs (i.e. fuel for generator).
Estimate the duration until ROI is achieved and estimate overall profitability over the project lifecycle of 25 years.

Project ‘Carbon Balance' estimation:
Assume a rate of 700kgCO2 per kW of installed solar capacity.
Exclude carbon costs of site works, generator and battery.
Estimate the duration until the project is carbon neutral, and estimate the overall carbon saved over the project lifecycle of 25 years.
Note: Refer to the technical papers provided in the Assessment Task 2 folder.
Invariably, a project of this nature entails social, environmental, economic and technical issues and impacts. However, in the case of your project, focus only on the environmental and economic (ROI) impacts and the identification of potential benefits.
Identification of what strategies should be adopted to minimize risks from natural hazards such as bushfires, high winds and floods.

Specifically, highlight how the project as proposed complies with the Engineers Australia Sustainability Policy.
Clearly justify the removal of any vegetation at the project.
You do not need to discuss energy distribution to the 1000 residential buildings.
The approaches/choices/solutions to the assignment should entail sound engineering critique and judgement with reference to available literature resources.
Tables and figures:
Tables and figures should be provided to enrich your report and support the text. At the minimum, you need to provide a system layout map showing the complete footprint/s of the facility including the energy generation area/s and civil works (eg. internal road network, stormwater management system).
All maps/drawings/images should look professional, be created using appropriate software, and be provided with a legend, scale bar and North arrow as appropriate.
Include images of proposed features as appropriate (eg. if you are proposing a particular type of backup power generator, include an image or schematic of it).
Prepare a cohesive submission, where group members' contributions are well integrated with consistent use of language, not being repetitive throughout the document, using cross-referencing well to direct the reader to relevant sections as needed and complying with the Report Guide provided.
Resources needed to complete the task:
Resources provided in Canvas.
Search for additional resources
Grading Rubric provided in Canvas.
Lecture and tutorial materials. We will be working through the assignment in the tutorial classes and deliver critical content during lectures.
Audience for the report
The intended audience for your report includes the Board of Directors of the company (Client) who hired your organisation to undertake this work, the regulatory authorities, the immediate residents in the area and the broader community.
Moderation:
Staff assessing your work discuss and compare their judgement before grades are finalised.

Learning outcomes measured:

Proficiency in site analysis, site investigation, sustainable development and clear articulation of the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project.

Provide recommendations based on the application of sustainable development practices to overcome or mitigate the identified adverse impacts and to enhance the potential benefits arising from a project.

Working knowledge of the Engineers Australia Sustainability Policy and how it applies to a real-world project.

Produce technically robust written documents and maps to clearly communicate with the Client, regulatory authorities, other stakeholders and the community.

Function as a productive member of a team to effectively work towards set objectives in order to achieve activity goals on schedule.