Table of Contents
Purpose Of Technical Feasibility Studies
Technical feasibility studies examine whether a renewable energy project can work in practice on a specific site, using specific technologies, and under real-world conditions. They translate general resource potential and high-level opportunity into a concrete, buildable technical concept. While earlier assessments may answer “Is there a good resource here?”, the technical feasibility study focuses on “Can we reliably and safely build and operate a system here with available technology, infrastructure, and skills?”
For beginners, it helps to think of the technical feasibility study as the bridge between an idea and detailed engineering design. It is more detailed than initial screening, but less detailed than full engineering drawings. Its outcomes reduce technical uncertainty, inform cost estimates for economic studies, and support decisions about whether to move forward, redesign, or abandon a project option.
Key Inputs To Technical Feasibility
Technical feasibility builds on information that has already been gathered in earlier planning steps. This includes basic resource assessments such as wind speeds, solar radiation, hydrological data, or availability of biomass, and the definition of the expected energy demand or service to be provided. It also requires site information, for example land boundaries, terrain, access roads, and existing grid connection points.
In addition, the study needs the main project constraints, such as regulatory limits on noise or visual impact, maximum available land area, environmental restrictions like protected zones, and any requirements set by the grid operator. These inputs guide the selection of technologies, the sizing of equipment, and the evaluation of alternative layouts.
From Resource Data To Technical Design
One of the central tasks in a technical feasibility study is converting raw resource data into an energy production estimate using realistic technical assumptions. For a solar photovoltaic project this might mean using hourly or daily solar radiation data, expected panel performance, and inverter efficiency to estimate annual electricity output. For a wind project it involves applying a turbine’s power curve to the site’s wind speed distribution.
A common concept here is the capacity factor, which links the rated capacity of a plant to its actual output over time. The basic relationship between power, energy, and time is expressed as:
$$E = P \times t$$
where $E$ is energy, $P$ is average power, and $t$ is time. Actual generation is always reduced by conversion losses and downtime, so capacity factor helps represent how intensively a plant operates at a given site. Technical feasibility studies use this kind of reasoning to estimate realistic annual and seasonal production, not just theoretical maxima.
These estimates also consider shading for solar projects, wake effects for wind farms, seasonal flow variations for hydropower, or feedstock variability for bioenergy. The aim is to move from “there is enough resource on average” to “this specific configuration is likely to deliver this much usable energy each year.”
Technology And Configuration Selection
Another core element of technical feasibility is choosing appropriate technologies and defining a preliminary system configuration. This includes selecting the main generation technology type, for example crystalline silicon versus thin film for solar, or horizontal axis turbines of a certain size for wind, and key parameters such as operating temperatures or pressure ranges for thermal systems.
The study also identifies the approximate number and size of units, such as number of turbines, solar modules, or generators, and their arrangement on the site. It considers auxiliary systems, like transformers, inverters, pipelines, or control systems, that are necessary for safe and reliable operation. Compatibility between components is checked at least at a high level, including electrical characteristics such as voltage levels and frequency, and mechanical compatibility such as mounting structures or foundations.
For hybrid projects that combine technologies, the technical feasibility study explores how different components will interact. For instance, it may look at how solar and wind together can meet a given load profile, or how storage can be sized to smooth variations. At this stage, software simulations often support the comparison of different system configurations.
Site Conditions And Engineering Constraints
Site specific conditions can turn a theoretically attractive project into one that is technically challenging. A technical feasibility study examines topography, soil conditions, and geotechnical properties to understand what kinds of foundations and civil works are needed. It reviews access routes for transporting large components, crane placement, and potential construction risks such as landslides or flooding.
Climate and environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, humidity, icing, storms, or corrosive coastal air are important. These influence material selection, protective coatings, and maintenance needs. For example, high dust levels may require specific cleaning strategies for solar panels, while cold climates might demand components certified for low temperature operation.
The study also pays attention to physical constraints like nearby buildings, airports, telecommunication lines, or existing infrastructure that might limit allowable heights or require minimum distances. For hydropower and marine projects, water levels, sedimentation, and sea state conditions are assessed, because they affect both design and operability.
Grid Connection And Electrical Integration
For grid connected projects, technical feasibility includes an initial evaluation of how the new plant will connect to the electrical system. This involves identifying the nearest suitable connection point, such as a substation or distribution line, and considering whether it can accept the additional power without violating technical limits. Even at an early stage, basic questions of line capacity, voltage level, and distance must be addressed.
The study also examines grid code requirements that specify how generators must behave during faults, voltage deviations, or frequency changes. It evaluates whether standard equipment can meet these requirements or whether additional features such as reactive power control, fault ride through capability, or harmonic filtering might be necessary. For smaller systems, including rooftop solar, the feasibility study may focus on the local distribution network and protective device coordination.
For off grid or microgrid projects, electrical integration focuses on matching supply and demand profiles, maintaining power quality, and ensuring stable operation with varying loads and renewable output. Basic simulations can help understand how inverters, storage, and backup generators will work together under different operating conditions.
Performance, Reliability, And Operational Issues
A technically feasible design must be more than just buildable; it must operate reliably over its intended lifetime. The technical feasibility study reviews typical performance data for the chosen technologies, including efficiency, degradation rates, and expected availability. For example, solar modules slowly lose output over time, and wind turbines require periodic maintenance that leads to downtime.
The study identifies key failure risks and operational challenges, such as remote location, difficult access for maintenance crews, or harsh environmental exposure. It considers whether local skills and spare parts are likely to be available, and whether remote monitoring systems are needed. Reliability expectations influence decisions on redundancy, for instance whether to oversize certain components or include backup systems.
Operational aspects such as start up and shut down procedures, control strategies, and safety systems are also outlined at a high level. For projects integrated with industrial processes or district heating networks, technical feasibility includes checking that temperature, pressure, and supply patterns are compatible with the existing systems.
Technical Risks And Mitigation Options
A structured technical feasibility study highlights the main technical risks and proposes ways to reduce or manage them. Risks can arise from uncertainties in resource measurements, new or less proven technologies, complex site conditions, or dependence on single suppliers. For each major risk, the study indicates its potential impact and suggests mitigation actions.
Common mitigation options include additional measurements to improve resource data quality, such as installing a meteorological mast for wind or solar irradiance sensors; choosing more mature technologies even if they offer slightly lower performance; adjusting layout to avoid problematic terrain; or designing for higher safety margins in critical components. Sometimes pilot installations or staged implementation can reduce technical uncertainty for larger projects.
A technically feasible project identifies its main technical risks early and includes clear mitigation measures for each significant risk.
By clarifying risks and responses, the study helps investors and other stakeholders judge whether the project is robust enough to proceed to more detailed design and financial evaluation.
Interaction With Other Feasibility Dimensions
Technical feasibility does not stand alone. Its results feed directly into economic and financial feasibility by providing estimates of installed capacity, expected annual energy production, efficiency levels, and major equipment costs. It also supports permitting and regulatory processes, since a preliminary technical design shows authorities how the project will be built and operated.
When technical feasibility reveals that a concept is technically possible but requires unusual solutions or high complexity, this can significantly raise costs or delay approvals. In such cases, the planning team may revisit the project concept, adjust its scale, or explore alternative sites or technologies.
If a project is not technically feasible in its proposed form, it should be redesigned or reconsidered before proceeding to investment decisions.
In a well structured project development process, the technical feasibility study is therefore a critical checkpoint. It refines the project idea, exposes practical constraints, and provides a solid technical basis for the subsequent economic assessment and risk management work.