Construction
Overview
The installation of distributed generation resources is a complex process, involving in-depth systems and equipment engineering, structural analysis, utility integration, environmental planning and an extended construction timeline. Additional complexity is realized due to the systems typically being retrofit into an existing, occupied structure with requisite criteria for performing construction activities. As part of Endurant's commitment to turnkey energy development, the Endurant Construction group is responsible for coordinating all work activities on the project site and between all stakeholders. Endurant acts as the primary point of contact, directly engaging all major contractors through engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the project.
Engineering Management
Photo credit: Endurant Energy
Once a site and guiding concept have been chosen for a proposed energy project, Endurant's team, drawing on over 80 combined years of in-house engineering and construction experience, will engage only the most respected and proficient firms in energy engineering to design the project. Because each project is unique, Endurant will combine its expertise with that of the subcontractor to ensure that all possible variables are taken into account during the design phase. Additionally, utilizing the ongoing research and development of Endurant's Solutions and Technology team, clients can be assured that proven advances in the energy sector are leveraged to improve the overall success of the project.
Once an initial design is selected, Endurant works with both the client and the contracted engineering firm to fully develop the project's many facets, reconciling the often competing demands of ownership, on-site management, tenants and utilities to ensure a mutually beneficial outcome for all stakeholders. Endurant will manage engineering change-orders, incorporate feedback from all parties and coordinate design revisions as the project takes shape and a final concept emerges.
Pre-Construction
Endurant's Construction team's experience in designing, constructing, operating and maintaining energy projects is essential from day one in executing an successful distributed generation plant. Because of this turnkey experience, Endurant brings a holistic approach that begins with ensuring that a selected site is suitable--environmentally, structurally, fiscally, etc.--for the proposed project. The majority of this occurs prior to the first shovel arriving on site and includes:
- Canvassing all possible plant sites on a given property and selecting the most viable.
- Performing an acoustic analysis to ensure that a given project will not negatively impact a property's operations.
- Performing a structural analysis to determine whether the existing site can be built on without improvements or determining what improvements are necessary.
- Assessing the environmental impact of a proposed project on the property and the surrounding area.
- Coordinating with the local utility on the project's impact on the electric grid and thermal supply, and then shepherding through interconnection agreements with the utility company.
- Ensuring that an adequate fuel source for the distributed generation plant is available.
Contracting and Construction Management
With experience building energy projects in New York, Illinois, California and New England, Endurant has an extensive network of contacts in the construction industry to draw upon in ensuring the right combination of quality, cost and expedience in building an energy project. At a client's request, Endurant will act as the construction manager for the project, performing all tasks including, but not limited to:
- Developing a comprehensive project schedule, from engineering to commissioning and start-up.
- Securing fixed price quotes from contractors.
- Executing construction agreements.
- Providing oversight of project delivery, planning, staffing, scheduling and budgets, quality control reviews, safety reviews, and assurance of coordination of subcontractors, engineers, specialty consultants, and internal technical and support staff.
- Identifying individual contractor schedule and cost variances; developing and implementing recommendations for corrective action for negative variances.
- Reviewing and preparing status reports and other related project planning and controls documentation.
- Assuring the project's objectives and actions are integrated with building activities through participation with building ownership in matters of common concern.
- Upon the completion of construction, Endurant will perform commissioning services, conducting a series of commercial readiness tests in order to confirm the cogen system's ability to meet the specified performance criteria