Brownfield Project Engineering
When it comes to building new facilities, whether warehouses or processing plants, brownfield project engineering differs from greenfield construction. A brownfield project is one that builds on an existing site where a previous facility or structure existed, and it may be contaminated with hazardous substances. As a result, brownfield construction is more complex and often more expensive than building on an untouched plot of land.
As the EPA estimates, there are more than 450,000 brownfields in America; however, only about 10% of them have been investigated and redeveloped to date. This is due in part to the lengthy and expensive environmental assessment process. It can also be difficult to get a building permit for a commercial site on a blighted property.
Getting approval for a brownfield engineering project often requires an extensive environmental impact statement (EIS). This report identifies the potential impacts of the project on the surrounding environment, including human health, ecological systems and natural resources. It also analyzes the risk of potential contamination and describes measures to mitigate any adverse effects. This statement is required by the EPA for any site that is slated for redevelopment or reuse.
What Is Brownfield Project Engineering?
Once the EIS is complete, the site can be approved for construction. The redevelopment of a blighted site can be a boon to the local economy. It can create jobs and attract companies that want to operate close to a population center, alleviate pressure on pristine land and make formerly polluted areas usable again. It can also increase property values, improve the city’s image and reduce jobs-related vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by employees working on the redeveloped site.
The benefits of a brownfield project extend beyond economic development and environmental protection. It can also revitalize communities by attracting people back into a downtown area and turning abandoned sites into new homes, retail space, offices, public parks and schools. It can even stimulate economic growth and reduce sprawl, as people can live closer to where they work.
In the material handling and supply chain industry, brownfield projects are sometimes referred to as retrofits. These are when the owner of a facility wants to upgrade or replace equipment that is already installed on-site. This type of project can be more cost effective than purchasing and installing a completely new system. However, it is important to weigh the costs against the risk tolerance for the project.
A successful brownfield capital project requires the same kind of teamwork and communications as a greenfield project. Teams must be able to work closely with operations and other departments while being nimble enough to adapt to changing project requirements on-the-fly. This is especially critical when a team works on an operating plant, navigating production schedules and shutdowns while still aiming to minimize downtime during the project. To achieve this, teams need a platform that provides a single hub for all of the engineering tools and data they use. This is where a digital twin can come in handy, as it can provide a detailed, contextualized record of the existing asset.