Mapping Energy Development Constraints Across 14,000 Acres

Client

Confidential

Location

Southeastern U.S.

Challenge

A confidential energy client needed to evaluate the feasibility of siting a large energy project across a broad regional study area. The client provided approximately 140,000 acres for review and asked Terracon to complete a desktop constraints analysis to identify red flags, hazards, and constraints that could affect site selection and future development. The study area covered approximately 140,000 acres. With the large study area and the level of detail required, completing the evaluation in the field would not have been practical or cost-effective. The client needed a clearer way to understand which land parcels in the study area presented concerns and which parcels offered stronger development potential before advancing project planning. The technology offered by Pivvot was the key to providing the data the client needed.

Solution

Terracon used Pivvot to support desktop constraint analysis (DCA) for this project to identify potential development locations and understand environmental, cultural, and permitting considerations before moving forward with project planning. A DCA helps energy developers identify constraints early, so they can make informed siting decisions and optimize development to avoid impacts.

Using Pivvot, Terracon screened and mapped multiple constraint layers, including wetlands, floodplains, species habitat, cultural resource records, and potential sources of contamination, among other potential development concerns. In all, the report integrated data from approximately 300 public data sources into 60 different Pivvot layers in just a few hours. Traditional evaluation methods over the same study area would’ve taken multiple weeks at a minimum, and cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Terracon then combined the constraint data into an interactive map-based workflow that allowed the client to visualize hazards, evaluate areas to avoid, and identify locations with fewer apparent constraints. This interactive workflow allowed the client to compare usable land across this vast project area in a fast, effective manner. Terracon provided a detailed report of the findings and included a permitting matrix to help the client understand potential permitting considerations associated with future development.

Results

The final desktop constraints analysis helped the client understand potential site concerns early in the decision-making process. Terracon summarized the technical, complicated data findings in a familiar report format and provided a permitting matrix to illustrate what the permitting process might look like if the client advanced one of the usable areas. By converting multiple constraint layers into a clearer visual and written deliverable,

Terracon provided crucial insights that helped the client narrow its options, reduce uncertainty, and select a site to move development forward. The project was completed late in 2023.