e-Fuels Feasibility Study
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Project Objective

TES (Tree Energy Solutions) commissioned Geosyntec to provide front-end environmental studies and permitting and siting services during the conceptual and planning stages of design for two potential electric natural gas (e-NG) facilities in Texas. Design addressed phased production with a 250-megawatt electrolyzer, then use of a 500-megawatt electrolyzer to produce e-NG for European and Asian markets.

Geosyntec’s Scope of Services

Initially, Geosyntec was tasked helping TES select a site for the two facilities and associated infrastructure. Geosyntec conducted a critical issues analysis to screen sites. We looked for sites with minimal impacts to wetlands or waters of the United States, sites outside of floodplains, and sites adjacent to an existing water supply. Our land-acquisition-services team identified parcels with the fewest mineral and surface encumbrances. We also performed preliminary offsite consequence analyses to model potential areas of impact from worst-case-scenario events related to industrial gas or power supply.

Geosyntec then developed permit matrices and complex permit schedules to inform the project management and design team about requirements and related work to obtain authorizations to construct. This information included drawing set types (IFA/IFD/IFC), zoning and setback considerations, and local jurisdictional requirements for site development permits. In addition, this work allowed the Geosyntec team to effectively schedule our environmental field work—including United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) wetland delineations, Migratory Bird Treaty Act surveys, and threatened, endangered, and sensitive species surveys—to swiftly obtain approvals and progress the project into the construction phase in a timely manner.

Because the project triggered Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) requirements, Geosyntec developed a baseline ESIA to be built upon as the project moved forward.

In addition, Geosyntec managed stakeholder engagement for TES. Related tasks included developing a stakeholder register, creating a preliminary stakeholder engagement plan, and preparing public presentation materials to socialize the project. Geosyntec worked closely with TES’ project managers and with their government affairs and public relations teams in the execution of these tasks.

Notable Accomplishments

By taking an integrated environmental, social, and site-development services approach, Geosyntec served as an extension of the TES Owner’s Team to de-risk the project, optimize the schedule, and effectively manage the budget.