Orrin Bryers
When did you join Natural Power?
September 2022
What does your role entail?
My role with Natural Power covers a wide number of projects as part of geotechnical site investigations and environmental impact assessments for wind, solar and hydroelectric renewable developments.
I carry out our geophysical projects which involves planning surveys such as seismic wave or electrical resistivity imaging in remote sites, collecting the data, and processing this back in the office to be presented to the client. Our survey results are highly insightful for each client as they build a picture of the ground conditions at the proposed infrastructure. This helps confirm if proposed locations are safe and optimally positioned or if they need to be re-located to a better suited place.
Another key part of my role is carrying out peat landslide risk studies required as part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for proposed developments where peat is present. This involves collecting field data to understand peat depth and character and identifying geomorphological features like peat haggs and steep incised valleys across the development site, alongside the hydrology and ecology team. Collected data is analysed and integrated with published online data and allows us to carry out a risk analysis with the help of the GIS modelling team. We can then assess how likely peat landslides may be to occur on the site and what the impact of this would be. The final report and associated figures play a key part in informing the key infrastructure design of the development to ensure construction activities avoid the highest risk areas and appropriate mitigation measures can be planned for in advance.
When I can, I also get stuck into other elements of our site investigations; supervising the drilling team, trial pitting, and logging the soil and rock core attained from the boreholes. The job is never dull!
What are the most rewarding and challenging parts of your role?
The data we collect through our pre-construction surveys is vital for ensuring major clean energy projects are practically feasible and safe to take forward into future construction phases for the development. So, it’s really satisfying when a project you have worked on for the client at a preliminary scoping stage later becomes a physical reality after construction. At the end of the day, we are all working towards creating a more sustainable and healthier planet and this job lets me contribute towards this.
The onshore renewable energy industry can be highly dynamic, you have to be ready to adapt project designs and operational logistics in small timeframes. This is only possible through great collaboration between the various teams involved, and fortunately there is an amazing camaraderie within Natural Power.
The Natural Power construction team has also made a name for itself because we are able to carry out our investigations in really challenging terrain all year round. Scottish weather is notoriously changeable so this means there can be tough and testing days out in the elements. This has a positive result however in that it creates strong bonds between members of the site team. This teamwork is critical to ensure projects can be carried out safely, and so that we maintain strong client relationships for the future by fulfilling the job as efficiently as possible and to the highest standard.
What is the most interesting project you have undertaken and why?
To support the discharge of planning conditions for an onshore wind farm development, I was appointed the geotechnical clerk of works. The role involves a monthly compliance check spanning the entire construction phase of the wind farm specifically to monitor the works’ adherence to the peat management plan (PMP). It is essential that construction activities follow this guidance to ensure that peat is only excavated where necessary, and where it is removed, it is reinstated to allow future growth, and/or reused in a designated restoration location.
This project has given me the rare opportunity to see the various phases of constructing a large-scale wind farm; from the excavation of new access tracks and turbine hardstanding areas to the installation of the huge turbine towers and blades. It is also impressive to see how the Principal Contractor manages the coordination of a vast variety of industry specialists involved in the development.
Provide a hidden talent or quirky fact about yourself!?
I’m a keen landscape photographer, I love exploring wild places and capturing a moment, you never know what type of scene you might capture with our changeable weather! Then I enjoy the process of editing on the computer and sharing the final product online and through print.