Background
The client was seeking planning permission for a 49.5 MWe energy facility within Greater Manchester. The proposed facility consisted of eleven 4.5 MW natural gas fired engines, anticipated to operate for approximately 2000 hours per annum at times of peak electricity demand. To support the planning application, an air quality assessment was required.
Issue
The proposed facility was in the vicinity of three large existing or consented power plants. The air quality impacts from the proposed facility had to be assessed cumulatively along with those plants, to develop a representative future baseline.
Solution
DustScanAQ liaised with the local authority to agree a suitable scope of work. It was agreed that in addition to the proposed facility, the dispersion modelling for this project would include the following plants:
- Existing Carrington I Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Station (884 MWe capacity)
- Consented Trafford CCGT Power Project (1520 MWe capacity)
- Consented Carrington Gas Energy Plant (30 MWe capacity)
The dispersion modelling followed the latest guidance from the Environment Agency, Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) and Environmental Protection UK (EPUK). Model outputs were combined to produce future baseline contours such as the one below: illustrating that the cumulative impact from all plants did not cause exceedances of any relevant air quality objectives.
Outcome
The deliverable was approved by the local authority and further assurances provided to the EHO, proving the methodology used was sufficiently robust. The proposed facility was granted consent on 18/02/2019.