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Home > Environment > Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is any source of energy that can be used without depleting its reserves including solar energy and other sources such as, wind, wave, biomass and hydro energy. These later sources are indirectly derived from solar energy. Biomass refers to any recently produced organic matter. If the organic matter was produced sustainably then it is considered to be a renewable energy resource.
Power and Water is already one of Australia’s cleanest power generators due to its use of natural gas. Now it’s leading the charge in renewable energy investment: solar and biomass. Several projects will see some pioneering use of renewable energy in isolated locations, where transport and storage costs for diesel are high.These projects are jointly funded by Power and Water and the Australian Greenhouse Office’s (AGO) Renewable Energy Rebate Program (RERP), administered by Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (DPIFM).
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| Solar Photovoltaic Panels at Kings Canyon |
Solar photovoltaic panels convert solar energy into electricity. Two remote communities, Bulman in Arnhem Land and Kings Canyon in the Centre, are being used to test the viability of flat-plate solar photovoltaic technology to reduce the consumption of distillate. These panels are robust, transportable and easy to install. They add approximately 30% capacity to the power plant in an efficient way, as peak demand in the Northern Territory closely matches the availability of solar power over the course of a day.
It means that a smaller diesel engine can be running efficiently, as the solar power ‘lops’ the peak load without the need for costly storage batteries.
Once installed, solar panels reduce the need for diesel, reduce greenhouse emissions and contain the cost of power generation.
The Bulman project was completed in November 2002 and generates 56kW peak, saving approximately 70 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. The Kings Canyon project completed in December 2003 and generates 241kW peak to support the electricity needs of this resort community.
The project, worth $3.6million, is the largest single installation of its kind in Australia. The panels have an expected life of 25 years.
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| Solar dish concentrator during contruction at Hermannsburg |
Three communities in Central Australia will soon be able to reduce their diesel consumption with the introduction of a different solar technology: solar dish concentrators. Hermannsburg, Lajamanu and Yuendumu have been identified as communities off the main power grid that are heavily reliant on diesel fuel. The traditional owners in these locations are supportive of the $6million federally and privately funded project.
‘On-sun’ tests have been successfully conducted, giving a cell efficiency of over 30%, beating flat plate cells, at 24%. Construction has begun and the dishes are expected to be operational by December 2004.
Solar dish concentrators are 14 metres wide with 130 square metres of curved mirrors, which concentrate the sun 500 times and generate 24kW peak of electricity each. It is a technology that is easily upgraded with the installation of more efficient cells at the focal point of the dishes. The investments in both of these solar technologies, with different characteristics, will identify the most viable solution for remote locations.
Power and Water participates in the solar buyback scheme offered by the Australian Government. The Department of Business, Industry and Regional Development offers a rebate on the purchase of the solar equipment. Power and Water enters into contractual arrangements with customers for the purchase of the electricity.
Power and Water offers customers a rebate on the purchase of solar hot water systems.
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| Mimosa Pigra blocking a waterway |
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| Close up |
Mimosa pigra is an invasive woody weed in the Top End of the Northern Territory and is especially prolific in the Adelaide River flood plain. It can be successfully converted into electricity in the following way:
All three projects involve the Australian Greenhouse Office, which provides funding under its Renewable Energy Support Programs. This will ensure an appropriate commitment to these projects, which will reduce greenhouse emissions and also create a body of knowledge for others to study in this emerging and very topical field of renewable energy development.
Wind Turbines Power and Water currently has an 80kW wind turbine installed at Epenarra and is realising cost savings in diesel consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Power and Water has been monitoring wind data and believes that the Barkly Region of the Northern Territory offers the best prospects for wind turbine electricity generation in the Territory. Power and Water is still in the process of collecting more data to determine the best height for the turbines to be installed.
Methane gas is constantly being generated in landfill sites such as Shoal Bay dump in Darwin. A 1MW generator is currently being installed by LMS Pty Ltd and it should be supplying renewable energy in to the grid by 2005.
Vegetable-based biofuel is to be used in a trial of biodiesel at Daly Waters Power Station in 2005. This non-petroleum based fuel will be a direct substitute for distillate. If the trial is successful then it could lead to more widespread application. Changes to excise regimes may impact on the viability of the fuel.