Power and Energy SPECIAL REPORT Power and Energy

Power and energy SPECIAL REPORT Power and energy

FEATURE Green power coming in from the cold A flurry of renewable projects has connected to the grid in recent months, although the pace of development could slow.

Mr Castelli said the two new Bright Energy Investments’ He said the commissioning pro- “We haven’t had the challenges wind farms – operated by Alinta Warradarge wind farm is just up cess involved testing to ensure all that have eventuated over on the Energy and Bright Energy the road, with 180MW of capacity parts of a project hit their mod- east.” Investments – would also have a coming online. elled capacity, and then worked Osborne Park-based Decmil beneficial impact. Warradarge is in commission- together in operation. was among the contractors to “We are seeing a reduction in ing, and has started contributing Mr Shannon said Monford had work at the Warradarge project. wholesale energy prices, which to the grid. Bright has also pro- taken a methodical approach to With those big projects close to Matt Mckenzie is being driven by the entry of duced power from the 40MW commissioning, and had collabo- completion, two waste-to-energy [email protected] renewables onto the system,” he Greenough solar farm expan- rated with the Australian Energy projects are under construction. @Matt_Mckenzie_ said. sion as it moves through Market Operator. Acciona is building both plants, It means retailers are being commissioning. “The AEMO guidelines are pretty one at Kwinana (40 per cent 6-PAGE FEATURE squeezed less between the price Advanced Energy is commis- straightforward, they’re very spe- complete) and the other at East of buying power and the (effec- sioning its 3.5MW wind and solar cific in what they require,” he said. Rockingham (early stages). REEN energy has been tively) capped price of retailing farm at Port Gregory, just south “We had quite early engage- Ahead in the pipeline are two given a big boost in West- it. of Kalbarri, while Risen Energy’s ment with [network operator] possible South Energy solar pro- G ern Australia during the Business News has identified 132MW Merredin Solar has com- Western Power.” jects, at Benger and Waroona, winter months of 2020. five projects coming online in pleted commissioning. Monford was tendering for four while Westgen is planning a solar More than 500 megawatts of WA, and proponents and con- The Merredin facility was built or five further renewables pro- farm in Byford. renewable projects have been tractors are keen to elude the by contractor Monford Group, and jects, he said, including a potential The influx of intermittent connected to the South West hurdles interstate renewables general manager Ciaran Shannon wind farm interstate. renewables and the growing Interconnected System (SWIS), projects faced as they ramped told Business News the project had Similarly, Warradarge has so far uptake of rooftop solar are driv- which services the region up. avoided some of the commission- avoided major problems, according the need for improved rules between Perth, Kalgoorlie, Albany Alinta’s Yandin wind farm in ing challenges that had beset solar ing to Bright Energy general to manage the grid, in addition to and Kalbarri. Dandaragan is the biggest, with farms on the east coast. manager Tom Frood. increasing pressure on coal. The growth in renewables about 210MW of capacity. Mr Shannon said some con- The wind farm is on track for In August last year, the state was good news for independent The Mid West project has 50 tractors had underestimated completion in October, Mr Frood government announced it would power retailers, Advanced Energy turbines supplied by interna- commissioning times and had told Business News. retire the two Muja C coal units Resources founder Luca Castelli tional manufacturer Vestas, and experienced issues connect- “It’s ramping up,” he said. from October 2022, taking about said, including the longer-term is in the commissioning phase. ing into grid infrastructure, “We’ve got 20 turbines out of 380MW of baseload capacity out lift in rooftop solar, which had Yandin started sending low particularly maintaining the the 51 energised. of the SWIS. helped reduce demand on the levels of power into the SWIS in correct frequency, which was an “We’re in the commissioning The state government has been network during the hottest parts July, exceeding 50MW at times in important technical factor for a process with Western Power and preparing a strategy to transition of the day. August. functioning network. AEMO. the network, intending to support

16 | FEATURE Power and energy

FEATURE Green power coming in from the cold A flurry of renewable projects has connected to the grid in recent months, although the pace of development could slow.

Mr Castelli said the two new Bright Energy Investments’ He said the commissioning pro- “We haven’t had the challenges storage capacity and stability as wind farms – operated by Alinta Warradarge wind farm is just up cess involved testing to ensure all that have eventuated over on the rooftop solar grows. Energy and Bright Energy the road, with 180MW of capacity parts of a project hit their mod- east.” In late August, Business News Investments – would also have a coming online. elled capacity, and then worked Osborne Park-based Decmil revealed the government would beneficial impact. Warradarge is in commission- together in operation. was among the contractors to close off the Renewable Energy “We are seeing a reduction in ing, and has started contributing Mr Shannon said Monford had work at the Warradarge project. Buyback Scheme feed-in tariff and wholesale energy prices, which to the grid. Bright has also pro- taken a methodical approach to With those big projects close to replace it with a new scheme that Matt Mckenzie is being driven by the entry of duced power from the 40MW commissioning, and had collabo- completion, two waste-to-energy pays for energy based on when it is [email protected] renewables onto the system,” he Greenough solar farm expan- rated with the Australian Energy projects are under construction. most useful in the market. @Matt_Mckenzie_ said. sion as it moves through Market Operator. Acciona is building both plants, Bright Energy’s Mr Frood said It means retailers are being commissioning. “The AEMO guidelines are pretty one at Kwinana (40 per cent low demand and the strong 6-PAGE FEATURE squeezed less between the price Advanced Energy is commis- straightforward, they’re very spe- complete) and the other at East uptake of rooftop solar could of buying power and the (effec- sioning its 3.5MW wind and solar cific in what they require,” he said. Rockingham (early stages). slow momentum for utility scale REEN energy has been tively) capped price of retailing farm at Port Gregory, just south “We had quite early engage- Ahead in the pipeline are two projects in the SWIS in the near given a big boost in West- it. of Kalbarri, while Risen Energy’s ment with [network operator] possible South Energy solar pro- term. G ern Australia during the Business News has identified 132MW Merredin Solar has com- Western Power.” jects, at Benger and Waroona, While one or two projects may winter months of 2020. five projects coming online in pleted commissioning. Monford was tendering for four while Westgen is planning a solar get up, further investments might More than 500 megawatts of WA, and proponents and con- The Merredin facility was built or five further renewables pro- farm in Byford. be challenging, he said. ACTION: Luke O’Callaghan says the state government’s reform agenda will enable emissions reduction. Photos: Gabriel Oliveira renewable projects have been tractors are keen to elude the by contractor Monford Group, and jects, he said, including a potential The influx of intermittent However, the rule changes connected to the South West hurdles interstate renewables general manager Ciaran Shannon wind farm interstate. renewables and the growing under consideration by the gov- Interconnected System (SWIS), projects faced as they ramped told Business News the project had Similarly, Warradarge has so far uptake of rooftop solar are driv- ernment would help, he added. One area where growth in which services the region up. avoided some of the commission- avoided major problems, according the need for improved rules “I can see, until the regulatory renewables would continue was between Perth, Kalgoorlie, Albany Alinta’s Yandin wind farm in ing challenges that had beset solar ing to Bright Energy general to manage the grid, in addition to changes come through … there the powering of remote mine sites, We tend to do things here, that are not just and Kalbarri. Dandaragan is the biggest, with farms on the east coast. manager Tom Frood. increasing pressure on coal. could be a hiatus on [utility scale] he said. (Some of these operations accepting technology from elsewhere … some of the The growth in renewables about 210MW of capacity. Mr Shannon said some con- The wind farm is on track for In August last year, the state renewable investment,” Mr Frood are highlighted in the ‘Powering was good news for independent The Mid West project has 50 tractors had underestimated completion in October, Mr Frood government announced it would said. WA’ map in this magazine.) [activity has been] absolutely world leading - Luke O’Callaghan power retailers, Advanced Energy turbines supplied by interna- commissioning times and had told Business News. retire the two Muja C coal units Solar projects in particular Resources founder Luca Castelli tional manufacturer Vestas, and experienced issues connect- “It’s ramping up,” he said. from October 2022, taking about would be challenged, because Reform exceed safe limits on the net - estimated it could more than partner Luke O’Callaghan said the said, including the longer-term is in the commissioning phase. ing into grid infrastructure, “We’ve got 20 turbines out of 380MW of baseload capacity out they produced power at the same While renewables have work when rooftop solar output double by 2030. state government’s transforma- lift in rooftop solar, which had Yandin started sending low particularly maintaining the the 51 energised. of the SWIS. time as rooftop solar, he said. brought benefits, there’s a chal- is peaking. Almost 29 per cent of house- tion agenda would help alleviate helped reduce demand on the levels of power into the SWIS in correct frequency, which was an “We’re in the commissioning The state government has been Nonetheless, Mr Frood said lenge to ensure the grid can About 1,100MW of rooftop solar holds in WA have panels on their issues around reliability. network during the hottest parts July, exceeding 50MW at times in important technical factor for a process with Western Power and preparing a strategy to transition Bright would be running the rule function effectively, including was installed in the SWIS by roof. of the day. August. functioning network. AEMO. the network, intending to support over potential opportunities. the potential for voltages to 2019, according to AEMO, which Energy expert and Lavan Continued on page 18

EARLY: The Emu Downs wind farm has been operating since 2006.

16 | | 17 FEATURE POWER AND ENERGY Green power coming in from the cold From page 17

Mr O’Callaghan said reforming the market to get the right regulations would be a critical enabler for achieving net zero emissions by 2050. A good example was Western Power’s rollout of batteries in the SWIS, he said, which supported distributed solar. “It will almost operate a bit like lungs … or a sponge,” Mr O’Callaghan told Business News. “[So] the network can actually expand and absorb. “When they have too much power, soak it up, when there’s not enough, give it back. “The need for a solid, consistent baseload becomes less acute than it was.” Use of batteries has been flagged in network-constrained areas such as Canning Vale, Dunsborough, Ellenbrook, Kalgoorlie, BRIGHT: Solar panels at Emu Downs. Photo: Gabriel Oliveira Leda, Parmelia, Port Kennedy, Singleton, Two Rocks, and Wanneroo. Another example of an increasingly a good example, as were household pool Overall, Mr O’Callaghan said, WA had innovative approach was Western Power’s pumps. long been a leader in adopting energy tech- 100MW challenge, Mr O’Callaghan said, Potentially, those pumps could be nology (see page 20). which aimed to find dispatchable demand switched on when electricity supply was “We tend to do things here that are not of to soak up power when output was high. at its peak, meaning they were used when just accepting technology from elsewhere TURBINES20 ENERGISED51 AT He said Water Corporation’s pumps were they provided most value to the market. … some of the [activity has been] absolutely WARRADARGE world leading,” he said. Industry participants have told Business Changes News the government was considering reduc- The government’s Energy Transforma- ing the threshold for retail contestability from tion Taskforce has proposed a suite of 50 megawatt hours in a year to 20MWh. changes to the SWIS market, which in com- That would mean a greater number of bination could have a big impact. small businesses would be able to choose a THE FREMANTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROUDLY PRESENTS THE Among the possibilities is shifting the power retailer other than Synergy. 12TH ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS hub for reference prices in the SWIS from Energy Minister Bill Johnston confirmed the Muja coal plant to the Southern Termi- a reduction of the threshold was under NOMINATE NOW nal near Murdoch where transmission lines active consideration, although it had been converge, which will be more equitable for delayed because of COVID-19. independent generators. While previous moves to reduce the The taskforce has suggested the threshold had been abandoned, Change market move away from allowing port - Energy chief executive Geoff Gaston said folio bidding, where a company enters it would be beneficial. all its generators into the system as a An energy retailer, Change has rapidly group, potentially allowing internal grown its customer base from six as at June cross-subsidising. 2017 to 57 last June, according to Economic Synergy is the only business allowed to Regulation Authority data (see list, page 21). undertake portfolio bidding, with others Mr Gaston said a recent change in how bidding at the facility level. Western Power assessed contestability had “Facility bidding is required to enable also made more businesses eligible. the least-cost resolution of network con- Eligibility was now determined by power straints and the least-cost dispatch of usage by an ABN, rather than at a building generation in the market,” the taskforce level, he said. said in an information paper last year. “That has opened up a few other sites to The market should also move away from contestability already,” Mr Gaston said. Synergy acting as the dominant provider One challenge, however, was the need for of essential system services to help ensure customers using independent retailers to TICKETS ON SALE AT reliability, the taskforce said. install a smart meter, costing about $1,000, fremantlechamber.com.au/fremantle-business-awards And reducing trading intervals in the which he said may outweigh the benefit for market from 30 minutes to five minutes smaller customers switching. For more informaion contact 9335 2711 or [email protected] would reduce reliance on the expensive Smart meters will measure electricity ‘load-following’ generators, which were consumption in short intervals, rather than designed specifically to follow rapid in aggregate, a change necessary if the price demand fluctuations, the taskforce said. varies across the day. 18 | | PB

PB | | PB FEATURE POWER AND ENERGY SPONSORED CONTENT Green power coming in from the cold Agnew From page 17

Mr O’Callaghan said reforming the market to get the right regulations would hybrid microgrid be a critical enabler for achieving net zero emissions by 2050. A good example was Western Power’s rollout of batteries in the SWIS, he said, which supported distributed solar. powering “It will almost operate a bit like lungs … or a sponge,” Mr O’Callaghan told Business News. “[So] the network can actually expand greener mining and absorb. “When they have too much power, soak it up, when there’s not enough, give it back. “The need for a solid, consistent baseload becomes less acute than it was.” Use of batteries has been flagged in network-constrained areas such as Canning Vale, Dunsborough, Ellenbrook, Kalgoorlie, BRIGHT: Solar panels at Emu Downs. Photo: Gabriel Oliveira EDL CEO James Harman and Gold Fields Leda, Parmelia, Port Kennedy, Singleton, Two Rocks, and Wanneroo. Energy Manager James Koerting take us Another example of an increasingly a good example, as were household pool Overall, Mr O’Callaghan said, WA had innovative approach was Western Power’s pumps. long been a leader in adopting energy tech- behind the scenes of one of Australia’s most 100MW challenge, Mr O’Callaghan said, Potentially, those pumps could be nology (see page 20). which aimed to find dispatchable demand switched on when electricity supply was “We tend to do things here that are not of exciting energy projects to soak up power when output was high. at its peak, meaning they were used when just accepting technology from elsewhere TURBINES20 ENERGISED51 AT He said Water Corporation’s pumps were they provided most value to the market. … some of the [activity has been] absolutely WARRADARGE world leading,” he said. Industry participants have told Business Changes News the government was considering reduc- row of enormous important step according to EDL “We’re really excited about Mr Koerting explains that demonstrated hybrid renewa- The government’s Energy Transforma- ing the threshold for retail contestability from wind turbines cutting Chief Executive Officer James that,” he says. previously the Agnew mine ble capability to mitigate those tion Taskforce has proposed a suite of 50 megawatt hours in a year to 20MWh. through the red dust Harman, in helping ‘prove-up’ “All the big mining companies depended on power delivered the risks.” changes to the SWIS market, which in com- That would mean a greater number of of the Eastern Goldfields near the trailblazing technology. are committed to reducing their old fashioned way – poles and He says the new power system bination could have a big impact. small businesses would be able to choose a A Agnew, 870kms north-east of Part of that technology is carbon footprint and many have wires, but as with any fringe off- is not only ‘greener’ and more THE FREMANTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROUDLY PRESENTS THE Among the possibilities is shifting the power retailer other than Synergy. Perth, marks one of Australia’s the ‘brain’ driving the energy zero carbon ambitions. grid system, it was susceptible to efficient for the mine, but the 12TH ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS hub for reference prices in the SWIS from Energy Minister Bill Johnston confirmed most exciting hybrid renewable supply, an advanced control “This type of clean energy deterioration and outages. investment gave employees confi- the Muja coal plant to the Southern Termi- a reduction of the threshold was under energy projects. system integrating five power technology, in providing an He explains that Gold Fields’ dence the operation was there for NOMINATE NOW nal near Murdoch where transmission lines active consideration, although it had been The five 110m-high turbines sources and optimising renew- absolute key input into mining vision is to be “a global leader in the long term. At the same time, converge, which will be more equitable for delayed because of COVID-19. with 140m-wide rotor spans able energy into the microgrid operations, is the game changer. sustainable gold mining” and that Gold Fields built a camp on site, independent generators. While previous moves to reduce the are the first used for large-scale at an average of between 50 and “It’s got such widespread appli- the partnership with EDL was meaning employees no longer The taskforce has suggested the threshold had been abandoned, Change power generation at an Aus- 60 per cent, recently achieving cation for distribution of energy the perfect pairing. It showed the needed to commute 30kms to market move away from allowing port - Energy chief executive Geoff Gaston said tralian mine, and the dominant a record 82 per cent renewable across Australia for remote com- mining company’s commitment Leinster at shift start and end. folio bidding, where a company enters it would be beneficial. source of power at mining com- energy over a day. The ‘brain’ munities or mines. to decarbonising its operations Mr Harman says the next step all its generators into the system as a An energy retailer, Change has rapidly pany Gold Fields’ Agnew gold also ensures 99.99 per cent “A lot of these power stations not just in Australia but globally. is to investigate more energy group, potentially allowing internal grown its customer base from six as at June mine. Along with more than reliability by reacting swiftly to in the past have been built on “The important thing is that storage capability at Agnew, to cross-subsidising. 2017 to 57 last June, according to Economic 10,000 solar panels, a battery, changes in load and eliminating fossil fuel technology, whether using renewable energies intro- capture excess renewable energy Synergy is the only business allowed to Regulation Authority data (see list, page 21). and a gas and diesel power plant, unplanned outages. diesel or gas. We’re proving at duces a new risk profile to power for use when load requirements undertake portfolio bidding, with others Mr Gaston said a recent change in how they form the five energy tech- Gold Fields Energy Manager Agnew that we can build new supply, and power supply is key to increases. bidding at the facility level. Western Power assessed contestability had nologies incorporated into power James Koerting says it’s not sur- energy solutions with hybrid gold production,” he says. Then, he says, EDL’s pilot “Facility bidding is required to enable also made more businesses eligible. producer EDL’s Agnew hybrid prising, given its complexity, that renewables that are more reliable “EDL had the operational project in the West Kimberley, the least-cost resolution of network con- Eligibility was now determined by power renewable microgrid, making it some observers considered the than the grid, more sustainable capability, were competitive in part-funded through a WA Gov- straints and the least-cost dispatch of usage by an ABN, rather than at a building an unparalleled power generation generation system the ‘stuff of than using fossil fuels, and at a the market for the project and ernment grant, to assess the use generation in the market,” the taskforce level, he said. system. mad scientists’ before it was built. competitive cost.” also had the reputation and of renewable (or green) hydro- said in an information paper last year. “That has opened up a few other sites to The microgrid is the result of a In developing the ambitious gen, is the natural extension of The market should also move away from contestability already,” Mr Gaston said. collaboration between EDL and project, EDL faced the chal- the Agnew project. Synergy acting as the dominant provider One challenge, however, was the need for Gold Fields to power the Agnew lenges of integrating five energy This type of clean energy “That’s taking solar and wind of essential system services to help ensure customers using independent retailers to mine, which produces more than technologies, which had never energy and converting it to green TICKETS ON SALE AT reliability, the taskforce said. install a smart meter, costing about $1,000, 220,000 ounces of gold annually been done before in an Australian technology, in providing hydrogen for use as energy or in fremantlechamber.com.au/fremantle-business-awards And reducing trading intervals in the which he said may outweigh the benefit for using a 650-strong workforce. It mining operation. transport,” he says. market from 30 minutes to five minutes smaller customers switching. For more informaion contact 9335 2711 or [email protected] attracted Federal Government Mr Harman says Agnew’s an absolute key input into “Longer term we see tremen- would reduce reliance on the expensive Smart meters will measure electricity backing through the Austral- success is great news for carbon dous applications in Australia for ‘load-following’ generators, which were consumption in short intervals, rather than ian Renewable Energy Agency, abatement and great news for mining operations, is the green hydrogen.” designed specifically to follow rapid in aggregate, a change necessary if the price which contributed more than 10 remote mines and communities demand fluctuations, the taskforce said. varies across the day. per cent of the $112m cost, an targeting zero carbon emissions. game changer - EDL CEO James Harman edlenergy.com 18 | | PB

PB | | PB FEATURE POWER AND ENERGY Hydrogen hopes on Horizon Hydrogen, batteries, and standalone power systems are a major focus for WA’s regions.

Matt Mckenzie “If we can get hydrogen to [email protected] work as a viable generation and @Matt_Mckenzie_ storage solution in high-cost REGIONAL Western Australia has, regional towns, over time we can by necessity, been at the cutting get costs down.” edge of technology uptake in terms Hydrogen could have uses of energy production and usage. beyond storage at scale, including After the big investments in for standalone power systems, gas liquefaction in the early Ms Unwin said. 1980s, more recent moves have Those systems use solar and been at the smaller end of the batteries, backed up with diesel, spectrum, including the use of to provide power for single users. renewables. But Ms Unwin said the next This year, the regions will be a generation of standalone sys- focus of the state’s post-COVID tems could use hydrogen fuel stimulus strategy, with about cells to provide security of $57 million of funding provided supply in place of diesel. through government-owned “We’re working hard on a enterprise Horizon Power. hydrogen version, so you can SPARK: Stephanie Unwin says investment in energy can help stimulate regional economies. Chief executive Stephanie take diesel out of the equation,” Photo: Gabriel Oliveira Unwin said Horizon would be she said. progressing projects such as a “[In future] we’ll do them as a renewable energy demonstration fully renewable solution.” Horizon owns about 460 kilo- microgrid in Denham, batteries in One of Horizon’s ambitions metres of transmission lines in regional communities, and stan- was to eliminate new diesel gen- If we can get hydrogen to work the North West Interconnected dalone power systems. erators by 2025, Ms Unwin said. System, linking Dampier and Port The Denham project was one of In the meantime, Horizon as a viable generation and storage Hedland. nine to share $22 million in fund- has plans to roll out a further solution in high-cost regional towns, Rio Tinto has the largest net- ing from the state government 50 standalone power systems work, at 700 kilometres. in August, with others includ- around the state to improve reli- over time we can get costs down Alinta operates a small trans- ing Fortescue Metals Group’s ability for remote customers and mission line in Port Hedland, and hydrogen mobility project in the reduce servicing costs. - Stephanie Unwin another connecting Roy Hill to Pilbara. Another series of projects Newman. The project will include would be in battery storage, with the greatest potential for Pilbara power A new line is being built by produce hydrogen through elec- with nine batteries to be installed rooftop solar, Ms Unwin said. However, the Pilbara’s electric- Alinta linking Fortescue’s sites, trolysis of water. across regional towns including Batteries are increasingly used ity network is heading towards a together with a 60MW solar farm. Hydrogen is seen as a way to Broome, Exmouth, Gascoyne to support rooftop solar because major regulatory change. Ultimately, Ms Unwin said the store electricity for extended Junction, and Carnarvon. the panels have intermittent Use of the network will become reforms could help support big periods, and offers advantages That would support customers power production, and are par- open access in July next year, renewable energy developments over batteries in scalability. in those towns to install their ticularly disadvantaged at night which will encourage competition supplying miners. While renewable hydrogen was own rooftop solar, Ms Unwin time. among power retailers. “We’ll see a different mix of not yet commercial, Ms Unwin said. Ms Unwin said regional com- Customers using more than energy up in the Pilbara,” she said. said the technology brought “We’ll get a better outcome munities had been affected 1,200 megawatt hours a year “Think about how amazing opportunity. overall, and lower costs,” she said. differently by COVID-19, with will be able to buy electricity it could be for very large scale “We do need to have a go with “Over time, the system those in the East Kimberley from any retailer, with more renewable [zones].” some of these technologies,” she becomes cheaper because you’re and Esperance hit harder than than 40 businesses likely to be This also meant big projects said. not building centralised power to elsewhere. eligible. would require lower capital invest- “If we’re right that they do support it.” The Pilbara region had fared Ms Unwin said Horizon was ments into generation, relying on work, in time they’ll scale up and Horizon identified the high- better thanks to the strength of working to develop rules for the the broader network and access- become economic. est-cost towns first, and those the mining industry, she added. new arrangements. ing competitive alternatives. 20 | | 21

PB | | PB FEATURE POWER AND ENERGY POWER AND ENERGY FEATURE

Data & Insights WA’s LARGEST UTILITIES AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE Hydrogen Number of WA customers/clients hopes on Horizon Hydrogen, batteries, and standalone power systems are a major focus for WA’s regions.

Year est. Number of WA Matt Mckenzie “If we can get hydrogen to Rank Company Senior WA executive in WA customers/clients Description [email protected] work as a viable generation and @Matt_Mckenzie_ storage solution in high-cost Mr Ed Kalajzic Builds, maintains and operates the electricity Western Power 2005 2,000,000 REGIONAL Western Australia has, regional towns, over time we can 1 Chief executive network in the south west corner of WA by necessity, been at the cutting get costs down.” Mr Pat Donovan Water and wastewater services in Perth and edge of technology uptake in terms Hydrogen could have uses 1996 2 Water Corporation Chief executive 1,308,558 regional WA, including pipes and desalination of energy production and usage. beyond storage at scale, including After the big investments in for standalone power systems, Mr Jason Waters Generator and retailer of electricity in the South Synergy 2006 1,103,114 gas liquefaction in the early Ms Unwin said. 3 Chief executive West Interconnected System 1980s, more recent moves have Those systems use solar and Mr Pat Creaghan been at the smaller end of the batteries, backed up with diesel, 2011 Owns gas distribution network around Perth 4 ATCO Australia Managing director 750,000 spectrum, including the use of to provide power for single users. renewables. But Ms Unwin said the next Mr Chris Campbell Alinta Energy 1995 468,837 Retailer of gas and electricity This year, the regions will be a generation of standalone sys- 5 General manager, WA focus of the state’s post-COVID tems could use hydrogen fuel Mr Ian Hansen stimulus strategy, with about cells to provide security of 6 Kleenheat Chief executive, Wesfarmers 1956 199,857 Retailer of gas and electricity $57 million of funding provided supply in place of diesel. Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers through government-owned “We’re working hard on a Ms Stephanie Unwin Generator, retailer and distributer of electricity in 7 Horizon Power 2006 45,809 enterprise Horizon Power. hydrogen version, so you can SPARK: Stephanie Unwin says investment in energy can help stimulate regional economies. Chief executive regional WA Chief executive Stephanie take diesel out of the equation,” Photo: Gabriel Oliveira Mr Giles Redmile Unwin said Horizon would be she said. 1999 Retailer of gas and electricity 8 AGL Energy Chief executive, Perth Energy 42,275 progressing projects such as a “[In future] we’ll do them as a renewable energy demonstration fully renewable solution.” Horizon owns about 460 kilo- Mr Frank Calabria Origin Energy 2017 14,862 Retailer of gas microgrid in Denham, batteries in One of Horizon’s ambitions metres of transmission lines in 9 Managing director regional communities, and stan- was to eliminate new diesel gen- If we can get hydrogen to work the North West Interconnected dalone power systems. erators by 2025, Ms Unwin said. System, linking Dampier and Port Co-owns Kwinana co-gen plant, retailer of gas 10 Engie Australia 14,769 through subsidiary Simply Energy The Denham project was one of In the meantime, Horizon as a viable generation and storage Hedland. nine to share $22 million in fund- has plans to roll out a further Rio Tinto has the largest net- Mr Chris Elliott Water infrastructure and supply in Busselton, solution in high-cost regional towns, Busselton Water 1906 13,710 ing from the state government 50 standalone power systems work, at 700 kilometres. 11 Managing director Dunsborough and surrounds in August, with others includ- around the state to improve reli- Alinta operates a small trans- over time we can get costs down Mr Bradd Hamersley Cooperative providing water in the Harvey Water ing Fortescue Metals Group’s ability for remote customers and mission line in Port Hedland, and 1996 12 Harvey Water Chief executive 1,070 Irrigation Area hydrogen mobility project in the reduce servicing costs. - Stephanie Unwin another connecting Roy Hill to Pilbara. Another series of projects Newman. Mr Tim McLeod Amanda Energy Solutions 2010 121 Retailer of gas and electricity The project will include would be in battery storage, with the greatest potential for Pilbara power A new line is being built by 13 General manager produce hydrogen through elec- with nine batteries to be installed rooftop solar, Ms Unwin said. However, the Pilbara’s electric- Alinta linking Fortescue’s sites, Mr Chris Wallace trolysis of water. across regional towns including Batteries are increasingly used ity network is heading towards a together with a 60MW solar farm. Retailer of electricity 14 CleanTech Energy General manager 74 Hydrogen is seen as a way to Broome, Exmouth, Gascoyne to support rooftop solar because major regulatory change. Ultimately, Ms Unwin said the store electricity for extended Junction, and Carnarvon. the panels have intermittent Use of the network will become reforms could help support big Mr Rob Wheals APA Group 20 Owns gas transmission network periods, and offers advantages That would support customers power production, and are par- open access in July next year, renewable energy developments 15 Managing director over batteries in scalability. in those towns to install their ticularly disadvantaged at night which will encourage competition supplying miners. Mr Geoff Hobley While renewable hydrogen was own rooftop solar, Ms Unwin time. among power retailers. “We’ll see a different mix of Electricity generation and minesite power 16 EDL General manager, remote energy 6 not yet commercial, Ms Unwin said. Ms Unwin said regional com- Customers using more than energy up in the Pilbara,” she said. said the technology brought “We’ll get a better outcome munities had been affected 1,200 megawatt hours a year “Think about how amazing Mr Geoff Gaston Change Energy WND Retailer of electricity opportunity. overall, and lower costs,” she said. differently by COVID-19, with will be able to buy electricity it could be for very large scale 17 Managing director “We do need to have a go with “Over time, the system those in the East Kimberley from any retailer, with more renewable [zones].” 18 some of these technologies,” she becomes cheaper because you’re and Esperance hit harder than than 40 businesses likely to be This also meant big projects said. not building centralised power to elsewhere. eligible. would require lower capital invest- Data & Insights GET THE FULL LIST ONLINE businessnews.com.au/bniq/utilities “If we’re right that they do support it.” The Pilbara region had fared Ms Unwin said Horizon was ments into generation, relying on 34 work, in time they’ll scale up and Horizon identified the high- better thanks to the strength of working to develop rules for the the broader network and access- All information compiled using surveys, publicly available data and contact with industry sources. Other companies may be eligible for inclusion. If you believe your company is eligible, please email: [email protected] become economic. est-cost towns first, and those the mining industry, she added. new arrangements. ing competitive alternatives. WND: Would Not Disclose, NFP: Not For Publication, N/A: Not Applicable or Not Available. 20 | | 21

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