Services
GIRS builds renewable-energy generating, storage, and microgrid facilities. It is the world’s only company offering single-sourced project and financing services for renewables.
Its leading experts cover the entire range of skills in the field of renewable energy. GIRS is highly flexible and responsive to each customer’s needs; it is technology agnostic. It makes full use of its customers’ local knowledge and expertise in a collaborative working style.
Renewable-energy projects are broken down into ten sub-projects, each of which is a specialty of its own. No single company encompasses all these specialties. That is why they all subcontract most of them to whichever small companies happen to be available at that time and offer the lowest cost (usually not the best companies).
By contrast, GIRS has built a permanent, fully integrated team of the top companies in each of these specialties. Instead of each project being implemented by a different hodge-podge of companies and people, all GIRS projects are executed by the same team. We all know each other, are all friends, do not compete with each other, and have learned how to collaborate efficiently and effectively together. This unique approach to renewable projects enables us to offer the highest quality equipment and services, the best warranties and support, full financing, all at lower prices than any competitors.
The Ten Specialties
1. Needs Analysis and Feasibility Study
This first step, usually performed by GIRS as a separate engagement, is often skipped by other renewable companies. Sometimes, it is performed by clients’ staff who are not fully qualified in renewable technologies. Done right, it must use local and U. S. experts to determine what would best meet the customer’s present and future needs. Then, it must determine the feasibility of such projects at chosen sites, from physical, electrical legal, environmental, social, developmental, political, and financial standpoints. It results in a report with a draft design, business and financial structures, economic models, and project financing, done to satisfy both developer and customer.
2. Obtaining customers/off-takers of energy
This work involves identifying promising off-takers for the energy produced, studying the electrical and economic aspects of providing them with electricity, auditing their present energy efficiency, considering ways to improve it, final choice of the off-takers, and negotiating contracts with them. This task requires local knowledge as well as technical expertise.
3. Civil Engineering
Many aspects of the chosen site must be studied to determine its suitability for the project. These include topography, existing vegetation, hydrology, wetlands, storm-water drainage, and erosion control. All environmental approvals must be applied for and received. A draft site plan must be created showing the facility in place.
4. Public, community, and governmental relations
Large projects usually require the approval and support of the surrounding neighborhood and community, as well as the backing of government agencies and officials with authority over the project. This is important work to be led by local citizens who are familiar with these people and local conditions.
5. Design and engineering
Each renewable technology requires its own design and engineering: solar, wind, geothermal, battery storage, and microgrids. The entire project rests on the quality of this work, and it requires highly specialized skills. It is done in stages, from the earliest design drafts to the final engineering specifications and plans. The continued participation and oversight of installation by the designers and engineers is critical to project success.
6. Obtaining all approvals and permits
Once designs and plans are finalized, they must be submitted to various agencies for approval and permitting. This can be a drawn-out process requiring negotiating skill. It requires familiarity with local laws and regulations, and benefits from local staff who have relationships with the regulatory agencies concerned.
7. Financing the project
All this work is for nothing if there is no way to finance a large project. Because these projects, when done right, can last up to 40 years, long-term financing is usually the most economical way to pay for them. However, the economics of these projects is highly dependent on interest rates. Therefore, it is usually essential to work with sources of low-interest financing, such as U. S. and international development agencies. GIRS has the connections and expertise to do just this.
8. Procuring equipment
Obtaining the equipment for large renewable projects is a challenge, especially in these days of worldwide supply shortages. The best equipment is particularly hard to get. Having close, working relationships with all the manufacturers of the best equipment often means the ability to jump to the head of the line and get products in weeks instead of 6-12 months, and at the lowest possible prices, along with the advice of manufacturers’ experts.
9. site preparation, installation, & electrical Work
Utility-scale energy projects must be constructed and installed correctly. Otherwise, performance, reliability, longevity, and safety are at risk. Using local labor contributes to the local economy and improves the skilled labor force. However, it must be trained and supervised to ensure quality of work. In addition, some installation work must be performed by U. S. experts who are intimately familiar with the technology used.
10. Testing & Commissioning
As installation proceeds, and when it is completed, everything must be thoroughly tested by independent experts, to avoid any conflicts of interest. Once systems pass inspection, they can be commissioned by other experts. These quality-control processes are key to a successful project, although often given short shrift.