Wind 02: Exmouth advanced mini wind farm project
Renewable Energy Commercialisation in Australia, Australian Greenhouse Office, 2003
NOTE: The status of these projects will have changed since the time of publication, and project contacts may also have changed.
This project is expected to not only demonstrate the advantage of integrating wind power technology into an existing diesel grid system, but also assist the commercialisation of the new cyclone-proof turbines and the totally Australian-made ancillary components.
A $225,000 grant from the Renewable Energy Commercialisation Program is enhancing the prospects for remote and cyclone-exposed areas of Australia to offset some of their reliance on diesel energy with renewable wind power.
Western Power Corporation and Westwind Turbines of Perth, both with years of wind-generation experience, have combined to develop the Exmouth advanced mini wind farm project, using a wind turbine of Australian design and construction.
The support from the grant is enabling the consortium not only to install the three unique 25kW wind turbines that offer a number of advantages for use in high-wind areas, but also to closely monitor their performance over the project's duration. The close monitoring will enable information to be collected that will lead to more accurate predictions for wind energy production.
The turbines are being installed adjacent to Western Power's diesel-powered distribution network at Exmouth, 1,200 kilometres north of Perth. The mini wind farm is expected to annually generate 200MWh of electricity that will be fed into the local grid, displacing the annual equivalent of 50,000 litres of diesel fuel currently consumed, which would reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 150 tonnes per annum.
Western Power and Westwind have a strong track record in providing wind-sourced power, being involved in Australia's first wind farm at Esperance. However, as Exmouth is prone to cyclones, wind power had been considered a less attractive option for the area prior to the development of the Westwind 20/25kW turbine.
The new design was developed through the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Renewable Energy. The breakthrough is that, in addition to the 30 metre towers being configured to survive a 2 second wind gust up to 210km/h, there is a contingency option - as a 'guyed' tower, the turbines can be lowered within 15 minutes of the approach of an advancing cyclone. The unique 'tow-up' erection method also enables the turbines to be erected by a motor vehicle on sites inaccessible to cranes.
From Western Power's perspective, the fact that the turbines are gearbox free is also very attractive for use in remote areas, potentially reducing the need for maintenance. As the company operates a number of small to medium diesel systems, the project will help to demonstrate the compatibility of wind turbines with a typical diesel grid. The project will exhibit the new wind turbines in a practical and potentially widespread application.
The project is also important in demonstrating the compatibility of integrating wind-sourced power into a diesel power station. Such power stations are widespread across Australia, and there is a very large market worldwide for small diesel grid systems, a market not currently addressed by the major wind turbine manufacturers.
This market is growing rapidly (estimated at around 20 per cent per annum) as remote communities attempt to replace diesel energy with renewable resources. High reliability and ease of installation and servicing are necessary where plant is located in remote areas. In many locations wind generation offers the most economical and effective renewable energy option. Turbines of 20/25kW are not only feasible for mining, pastoral and remote indigenous communities, but there are also prospects for a high take-up in parts of Asia.
For more information please contact
Adrian Chegwidden
Manager, Sustainable Energy Branch
Western Power Corporation
GPO Box L921
Perth WA 6842
Tel (08) 9326 4902
Fax (08) 9326 4600
Email adrian.chegwidden@wpcorp.com.au
Internet www.westernpower.com.au
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