Work To Commence On Flinders Island Hybrid Energy Hub

Flinders Island Hybrid Energy Hub

Hydro Tasmania has announced it has signed nearly $4 million in contracts that will enable work to commence on a significant Flinders Island renewable energy project.

The $12.88 million project will see a combination of solar power, wind energy, diesel generation, flywheel and battery energy storage; plus associated technologies deployed to reduce the island’s diesel consumption by more than 60%.

“This combination of technologies means we will be able to securely and reliably generate power for Flinders Island, even during lulls in the wind or when the sun isn’t shining,” said Project Director Simon Gamble.

According to the Flinders Island Fuel Supply Study (PDF), fuel supplies to the Island are currently around 2,500,000 litres annually; with power generation representing 36% of consumption in 2013/2014. Diesel accounts for approximately 72% of all fuels imported to the Island. During the first week of May last year, the wholesale cost of diesel was 187.1 cents per litre (inc GST).

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has kicked in $5.5 million funding for the project, which it says will provide the Island’s community with improved energy security, enhance skills and generate job opportunities in Tasmania and the surrounding region.

The round of contracts just awarded includes agreements with RF Industries; which will undertake solar PV design and construction. Toshiba will supply the battery cells, to be housed in a customised container system.

Other companies to score a guernsey include Hitzinger (Diesel Uninterruptible Power Supply (DUPS) unit), Southern Prospect (custom shipping containers for DUPS), Doric Engineering (customised shipping containers for various hardware) and Bartech (production of switchgear in specialised containers).

One of the important features of this project is its modular nature.

“These modular enabling units will provide a lower-cost and scalable solution that will allow easy and rapid transport and installation for renewable energy projects, and which could also serve temporary uses such as in disaster relief or in the mining industry,” said Mr Gamble.

Hydro Tasmania says the project is due for completion in November 2016.

Government-owned Hydro Tasmania employs more than 1100 people and has assets worth around $5 billion. The company operates some of Australia’s largest wind farms, which harness the energy of the “Roaring 40’s”. All up and including hydropower assets, Hydro Tasmania  has a total generation capacity of over 2600 megawatts.

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