<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/licences-sought-for-australias-biggest-wind-solar-and-battery-hybrid-to-power-giant-gold-mine/>
"The developer of what is being described as the largest wind, solar and
battery hybrid project of its type in Australia has begun the first regulatory
steps to gain a licence to sell power to one of the country’s biggest open pit
gold mines.
Zenith Energy, which has emerged as a specialist in off-grid renewable hybrid
systems that has nearly eliminated diesel use in some mines, is proposing to
build a much larger hybrid system for the Kalgoorlie Super Pit joint ventures
that will deliver around 70 per cent share of renewables.
The system will combine 256 megawatts (MW) of wind capacity, 110 MW (ac) of
solar capacity, and 138 MW and 300 MWh of battery storage.
The 8 MW Goldwind turbines will trump the 7.8 MW turbines currently being
installed at Fortescue’s Nullagine wind project and Neoen’s Narrogin in wind
project – both also in Western Australia – as the most powerful in the country.
The Eastern Goldfields Power Project is being built for North Star Resources
and its joint venture partners in the Kalgoorlie super pit gold mining
operations and related ventures. It will remain connected to the main grid, but
will mostly supply the mining operation.
The system is being built because of the cost and unreliability of the existing
power supplies, and will be supported by a new dual-fuel thermal plant (gas and
diesel), comprising 10 Wärtsilä 20V31DF generator units.
Zenith has been achieving rates of well above 70 per cent for various off-grid
mining clients, albeit with much smaller hybrid systems and lower energy needs.
These include rates of 95.7 per cent renewables in the March quarter at the Mt
Weld rare earths mine, owned by Lynas Rare Earths which, ironically, is back by
anti-renewables campaigner and Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart.
Zenith says the Mt Weld hybrid saved 870,000 litres of diesel in the March
quarter, while another installation at the Bellevue Gold mine had achieved 155
hours continuous of “engine off”, running at 100 per cent renewables with wind,
solar and storage."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
