This course comprehensively covers essential technical, commercial and financial knowledge required by those engaged in the development and financing of wind farms. Over 10 modules you will dive deep into topics such as wind turbine technology, wind resource assessment, economic incentive schemes, financing alternatives and their pros and cons, key terms found in contracts such as PPA, EPC and O&M Agreements as well as the mechanics of raising, structuring and documenting project finance for your wind farm project.
This course includes video content, workbooks and additional resources that can be downloaded. It takes about 20 hours to complete.
The objective of this module is to introduce the learner to the world of wind energy. It provides the learner with the context required to understand the trajectory along which this sector is developing.
History of wind energy; How does a wind turbine work including Betz ratio, Cp, tip speed ratio, cut-in and cut-out speeds etc.; On-shore vs off-shore wind; Is wind power competitive?; Current state of play, Key trends & challenges; Factors supporting and hindering growth of wind power.
e-Learning content, video content, quizzes, workbook, other resources and links to other websites.
The objective of this module is to provide the learner with a thorough understanding of all the different components of wind power technology, the reasons for their adaptation and likely future trends.
Key design considerations; Design innovation and trends in relation to rotor size, rotor height, drive trains, number of blades, orientation of blades, tower designs for on-shore and off-shore wind farms, control mechanisms etc.
e-Learning content, video content, quizzes, workbook, other resources and links to other websites
The objective of this module is to introduce the learner to various economic incentive schemes that have been deployed around the world to support the development of wind energy and highlight their pros and cons.
Price based schemes such as “Feed in Tariffs” and “Feed in Premiums”; Volume based schemes such as public tender and renewable portfolio standards; Tax based schemes such as ”Production Tax Credits” and “Investment Tax Credits”; Pros and cons of various schemes and stage of market development at which different schemes can best be leveraged to achieve policy outcomes.
e-Learning content, video content, quizzes, workbook, other resources and links to other websites
The objective of this module is to provide the learner with a comprehensive understanding of the science and art of wind resource assessment as well as its limits and pitfalls.
Requirements for creating a bankable “Wind Resource Assessment”; Stages of wind resource assessment including Large Scale Analysis, Site Selection, Wind Measurement at Site, Long Term Extrapolation, Horizontal and Vertical Extrapolation, Micro-siting of Turbines, Estimation of Gross AEP, Estimation of Net AEP, Uncertainty Analysis.
e-Learning content, video content, quizzes, workbook, other resources
The objective of this module is to provide the learner with an understanding of the different types of arrangements commonly entered into with land owners as well as the process and risks involved in the approval and permitting process.
Access Agreements, Option to Lease Agreements, Lease Agreements; Permitting process and requirements including involvement of Federal, State and Local authorities. Cape Cod Case Study.
e-Learning content, video content, quizzes, workbook, other resource.
The objective of this module is to introduce the learner to the various financing options available to different types of developers and the impact the financing decision can have on the development process.
Corporate Loans, Project Finance and Tax Based Finance (Partnerships Flips, Sale and Leaseback); Pros and Cons of different types of financing. Impact of financing decision on development process and contractual arrangements.
e-Learning content, video content, quizzes, workbook, other resources
The objective of this module is to introduce the learner to the different types of power purchase agreements and the key commercial terms found in these agreements
Structure of the Electricity Supply Industry; Physical and “Virtual” Power Purchase Agreements; Key commercial terms found in a typical Power Purchase Agreement; requirements to be met if project is to be financed on a non-recourse basis.
e-Learning content, video content, quizzes, workbook, other resources
The objective of this module is to provide the learner with a thorough understanding of the different types of construction arrangements used in the construction of on-shore and off-shore wind farms.
On-Shore Construction Contracts; Key commercial terms found in an EPC Contract; Off-Shore construction contracts and why these contractual arrangements are different; requirements to be met if project is to be financed on a non-recourse basis.
e-Learning content, video content, quizzes, workbook, other resources
The objective of this module is to introduce the learner to the different options available for operations and maintenance of the wind farm and their pros and cons.
Different options available in relation to the Operations and Maintenance function; pros and cons of these options; key commercial terms found in Operations and Maintenance Contracts; requirements to be met if project is to be financed on a non-recourse basis.
e-Learning content, video content, quizzes, workbook, other resources
The objective of this module is to provide the learner with a thorough understanding of all aspects of raising finance on a project/non-recourse basis including risk mitigation, debt sizing, debt structuring etc.
Project risks, Creating bankable cash flow, Lender due diligence, Project Finance loan package, Debt metrics, Debt sizing, Sources of finance, Gemini financing case study, Financial adviser and the financing process, Key commercial terms found in a project finance loan agreement.
e-Learning content, workbook, other resources& quizzes
