Renewable Energy

Altamira works with renewable energy development companies to resolve the technical, environmental and regulatory obstacles specific to each project. Getting involved early and staying proactive allows developers to address issues before they become setbacks.

Altamira’s team includes engineers, environmental scientists and regulatory specialists with vast industry experience. Working with a single integrated team keeps critical information connected, from site selection and permitting through engineering design and commissioning. Our regulatory specialists track evolving federal and state requirements across all applicable jurisdictions.

The success of a renewable energy project is largely determined by decisions made long before construction begins. As an engineering and environmental services company licensed in more than 20 states, Altamira brings the technical depth and regulatory experience that solar, wind, hybrid and storage developers require.

Site Selection

Identifying the best location for a renewable energy project requires more than evaluating available land. Altamira’s site selection process integrates geographic information system (GIS) mapping, spatial analysis and environmental screening to assess resource availability, infrastructure proximity, land use constraints and regulatory exposure. Cross-referencing wind speed data, solar irradiance readings, wetland boundaries, utility infrastructure maps and zoning classifications gives developers a complete picture of each site before development begins.

Altamira’s GIS capabilities bring location-based data from multiple sources into a single platform, enabling faster and more informed site decisions. Spatial analysis tools identify patterns and trends across candidate sites, giving project teams a data-driven foundation for evaluating options and prioritizing the most viable locations.

Early analysis reveals issues that would otherwise emerge during permitting or construction, including proximity to protected areas, transmission access limitations, topographical challenges and state and local regulatory requirements. Resolving these issues at the site selection stage eliminates costly redesigns, reduces permitting risk and keeps projects on schedule.

Permitting

Renewable energy projects often require permits from multiple federal, state and local agencies, and the sequencing of these permits can affect how quickly a site moves through the approval process. Altamira’s permitting specialists develop project-specific strategies that identify all applicable requirements and anticipate potential agency objections. We coordinate submittals across jurisdictions to maintain timelines. Addressing regulatory hurdles early in the process prevents the last-minute agency negotiations that delay projects and inflate costs.

Air quality permitting is a significant component of many renewable energy projects, particularly for hybrid and storage facilities with backup generation equipment. Altamira’s permitting team coordinates directly with the EPA and state environmental agencies across the full permitting spectrum, from Permit by Rule applications and minor source permits to New Source Review and Title V compliance. Decades of experience with various permit types means requirements at any scale get resolved without disrupting the overall project schedule.

Utility Engineering Design

Engineering is the foundation of every renewable energy project. Altamira’s engineering team covers the full project life cycle, from front-end engineering and design (FEED) to facilities engineering and site layout documentation. Project economics, regulatory requirements and operational performance goals shape every phase of the process.

Our engineers handle interconnection work across electrical systems, substations and grid tie-ins to meet technical specifications and applicable regulatory standards. Power substation and relay system expertise positions developers to avoid costly rework and keep construction on schedule. Altamira also provides testing and inspection support during the construction phase, confirming that systems perform to design specifications before commissioning begins.

Project management is an integral part of Altamira’s engineering services, providing oversight that keeps renewable energy projects on schedule and within budget. From procurement coordination and contractor management to progress tracking and issue resolution, our project managers work alongside engineering teams to keep all moving parts aligned.

Environmental Site Assessments

Before construction begins on any renewable energy project, understanding a site’s environmental history is critical. Altamira conducts Phase I, Phase II and Phase III environmental site assessments (ESAs) to identify recognized environmental conditions and characterize contamination. When findings require action, Altamira develops site-specific remediation plans to address the issues.

Phase I establishes a property’s environmental history through record reviews, source interviews and visual site inspections, giving developers the baseline information needed before advancing to design or permitting. When Phase I findings indicate potential contamination, Phase II confirms the presence, nature and extent of hazardous materials. Soil and groundwater samples are collected on-site and analyzed in certified laboratories, with fieldwork supervised by state-certified geologists in accordance with industry standards.

Phase III addresses confirmed contamination through tailored remediation plans developed in accordance with EPA, ASTM and applicable state standards. Altamira’s environmental team manages soil testing, groundwater monitoring and cleanup execution while tracking contamination levels against regulatory thresholds. Managing everything with one team eliminates handoff gaps and keeps the assessment and remediation process moving efficiently.

Wetlands Delineation

Wetlands on or adjacent to a renewable energy project site introduce regulatory and design complexities that can affect a project’s success. Altamira’s environmental scientists conduct wetland delineations in accordance with applicable federal and state environmental standards. These processes map wetland boundaries and document hydrology, vegetation and soil characteristics to create the reports for regulatory compliance.

Early delineation gives project teams accurate wetland boundary data before layouts are finalized and permit applications are submitted. Knowing where regulated areas fall on a site informs infrastructure placement and helps avoid permit complications.

Delineation findings also support communication with regulatory agencies throughout the permitting process, reducing the likelihood of disputes that slow approvals. Altamira manages the agency concurrence process, keeping regulatory reviews from stalling construction schedules.