Driving Innovation in Renewable Energy Construction

Renewable energy construction can feel like a sector that has one foot firmly planted in the future and one stuck in the past. The elements used to capture and convert energy from renewable sources are constantly advancing. The capacity of batteries is regularly expanding and the demand for renewable energy is soaring. 

Yet, the tools, systems and workflows used in the construction of renewable energy projects are often based on legacy systems and have yet to catch up. People working in the sector are often racing to find ways to improve what they do, find competitive advantages and keep up with new technologies hitting the market, all while relying on less-than-optimal systems for managing communication, documents and data.

Effective innovation is never as simple as tracking down the most cutting-edge technology, and this is especially true in the competitive, fast-moving world of renewable energy construction. Solutions need to be long-lasting, adaptable and offer a clear return on investment (ROI). Let’s examine the best ways to find and adopt innovations in the construction of renewable energy projects that help drive competitiveness and growth.

Keeping the System in Mind When Innovating

An innovation should do more than simply help complete a task or solve a problem. All new tools should align with existing processes and be integrated with other processes and workflows; even point solutions, which are tools meant to carry out a specific function. Tools and technologies that are selected without considering the system they will exist within often don’t last long. They can create more work, introduce redundancies, require a ton of training for skills with limited applications and are more likely to become incompatible with future systems and innovations. 

Tools are interconnected parts of a larger system. For example, requests for information (RFIs), design changes and regulatory compliance are connected parts of the construction process. Adopting and implementing innovations in any of those workflows requires exploring how it will impact and, hopefully, improve the other processes.

Considering the holistic impact of a new tool or solution on other processes also prioritizes the experience of users, which further increases the likelihood of successful adoption and implementation. Innovations should feel exciting and transformative, but they should also, quite simply, complement and enhance the work people are already doing.

Innovation starts with understanding the business.

The process of innovation requires identifying the needs it should meet and the problems it should solve. In many cases, this starts with understanding how the business functions and how work gets done. Effective analysis can be as simple as evaluating the input that goes into a workflow, comparing that to the output and looking for problems, discrepancies and inefficiencies. 

Timeless tools, such as data flow diagrams, can help map how information moves through a system to identify breakdowns or bottlenecks. This type of structured, methodical approach yields data that doesn’t just identify areas that can be improved, but also can be used later to assess whether innovations are effective.

Building a Strong Business Case for Investment

If an innovation delivers on improving efficiency and outcomes, it will likely be well worth any money invested to make it happen.

The challenge is securing investment in the first place. Potential investors usually have a ton of questions and concerns that all boil down to the same thought: Is this innovation going to be profitable? 

Getting the money to fund innovations usually requires demonstrating that the innovation will bring an ROI within a 3–6 year window. Investors want to know accurate ROI projections, upfront costs and potential financial benefits. In renewable energy construction, a compelling business case usually includes how an innovation is going to optimize energy production, storage and distribution for maximum profitability. Engineers can play a key role in translating technical data into business-relevant insights. 

The ever-changing nature of renewable energy construction can make it more difficult to make compelling business cases. Changing regulations or a safety incident that made headlines can change how investors feel about new projects and innovations. Further, the renewable energy sector is relatively new, so people often have questions about how projects and systems will age and how materials will be handled after the project’s lifespan. 

Educating stakeholders is always part of project development, and that’s particularly true in renewable energy, where people might hear things that aren’t necessarily indicative of larger trends. Staying informed about regulatory changes, communicating clearly and including flexibility in project planning can go a long way to handling most concerns.

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Navigating Regulatory Challenges

Renewable energy construction projects happen in a variety of environments, from roofs in dense, urban areas to open fields miles away from any type of connectivity. Each city, county or federal government body may have different standards and requirements. But to make things more complicated, many authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) have limited experience with renewable energy projects. 

Engaging with local authorities early in the project goes a long way towards creating accurate plans and understanding required processes and inspections. Similarly, constant and transparent communication with stakeholders about the benefits, systems and timelines involved in renewable energy construction helps handle challenges.

Innovations should be made to last.

There are many things to consider when innovating renewable energy construction, but in the end, innovations need to last. There’s not one right way to assess the life of new tools or technologies, especially in a relatively new sector like renewable energy. 

Industry standards and certifications, such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification for electrical safety, can help assess the quality and reliability of innovations. Similarly, consulting with experienced professionals and peers can be the best way to understand an innovation’s potential longevity based on past performance and real-world experience. 

Once innovations are implemented, monitoring performance over time can help make necessary adjustments and make more informed decisions in the future. Learning how to talk about, assess and implement innovations creates a foundation for teams and organizations to build on in the future.

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