Project Update Week ending 20 December 2019 WA’s largest battery on its way to Kalbarri 12 December The largest utility-scale battery ever to be The beauty of this design is that it not only connected to the Western Power electricity enhances supply reliability, it will have the network left Perth today headed for Kalbarri, flexibility to grow with the population of where it will become the centrepiece for a Kalbarri, which in turn supports local new microgrid, powering the Kalbarri businesses. community in the event of a network outage. We expect to complete construction of the The battery transport is a significant microgrid, which includes the underground milestone for the integration of renewable connection of the battery, by early 2020 with energy resources into the grid. commissioning and operational trial completed later next year. The 5MW battery building is 25 metres long, five metres wide and weighs just under 60 The transport and delivery of the battery tonnes. It’s taken nearly a full day to load the demonstrates Western Power’s commitment battery onto the trucks for transport. to build a green solution for the Kalbarri community’s reliability issues. It will be a key part of the microgrid design suppling a minimum of 2MWh at any time Source: Western Power when there is a network outage. Work has been going on in the background to Christmas/NY greetings prepare the Kalbarri network for the On behalf of the team here at AltEnergy we microgrid installation, including wish subscribers a Merry Christmas & Happy enhancements that will allow the network New Year. and battery to become islanded and draw directly from renewable sources during a Whether you are at work, at home, or away network outage. on holidays over the Festive Season please take care and stay safe. The microgrid is an innovative solution that adds another level of certainty for the Kalbarri Thanks for your support this year, and we’ll be community, particularly during its peak back with you again in 2020 with plans to tourism season where power demand almost further improve our service and products. doubles. We have worked collaboratively with the Kalbarri community, and will continue to work alongside them as the project evolves. Page 1 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) Commission approves changes concerns which centred on biodiversity, visual and noise impacts. to White Rock Wind Farm 13 December After carefully considering all the evidence The state’s Independent Planning Commission and weighing the community’s views, the has approved changes to a wind farm in the Commission has today (Friday 13 December New England Region. 2019) determined to approve the modification application, subject to Goldwind Australia received planning conditions. approval in July 2012 to build the 119-turbine White Rock Wind Farm, 20km west of Glen “The Commission agrees with the Innes, in two stages. Department’s finding … that on balance the proposed modification has merit, and is in the Stage one, comprising 70 turbines with a public interest as it would contribute 995,000 maximum tip height of 150m, is already megawatt hours per annum of renewable operational. energy to the National Electricity Market and However, the company lodged an application assist in reducing GHG emissions with the Department of Planning, Industry & (approximately 955,000 tonnes per year),” the Environment in January last year to modify its Commission concluded in its Statement of existing project approval for stage two – Reasons for Decision. specifically to: • reconfigure the layout of turbines and “The Commission finds that the Project, ancillary infrastructure carried out subject to the imposed conditions, • reduce the number of turbines from 49 to achieves a reasonable balance between 48 maximising the use of the wind resource and • increase the dimensions of the wind managing potential impacts on the turbines (maximum tip height from 150m to environment and surrounding landowners.” 200m and rotor diameter from 121m to either 140m or 170m) Source: NSW Independent Planning • increase the capacity of the existing Commission substation to accommodate stage two and potentially cater for additional energy projects in the locality • increase the project area from 13,176ha to ENGIE looks to grow 15,053ha, and renewables pipeline through • increase vegetation clearing by 169ha. new fund 13 December The matter was referred to the Commission ENGIE Australia & New Zealand today for determination because the Department announced plans to establish a renewable received more than 25 public objections energy equity platform to support further during exhibition. investment in low-carbon developments. Commissioners Peter Cochrane (Panel Chair), ENGIE ANZ Chief Executive Officer, Augustin Wendy Lewin and Adrian Pilton were Honorat said establishing the fund would appointed to consider the modification allow ENGIE to help customers seeking application and make a final decision. affordable, green energy. The Commissioners met with the Applicant, “We’ve put ENGIE at the forefront of the Department and Glen Innes Severn and Australian Power Purchase Agreement market Inverell Councils and inspected the site and this year with innovative partnerships with surrounding area. They also held a public meeting to listen to the community’s Page 2 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) Lion, L’Oréal and others involved in the zero- Early Yallourn closure can be carbon transition,” Mr Honorat said. absorbed by increasing “We see a growing demand for green energy renewable energy supply, new and through this equity platform ENGIE can accelerate the construction of additional wind analysis finds and solar capacity, while ensuring competitive 16 December pricing for our customers.” The inevitable early closure of the ageing Yallourn power station could be absorbed by ENGIE has appointed financial advisers Natixis 2023, and supply shortages and price spikes and Azure Capital to investigate the avoided, by immediate investment in establishment of the equity platform, replacement renewable supply and storage, including a partial selldown of ENGIE’s according to new analysis by Reputex Willogoleche Wind Farm in South Australia. commissioned by Environment Victoria. Source: Engie Speculation is rife that Yallourn, Victoria’s oldest, most unreliable and polluting coal- burning power station, will close well before NEW PROJECT its currently scheduled closure date of 2032. The ageing power station creates significant Lockhart Microgrid Energy risk to Victoria’s energy security, particularly Project over hot summer months when demand is Location: Lockhart, NSW Riverina Region high and coal generators are more vulnerable Capacity: 10 MW solar farm & 25 MWh to failure. battery storage system Developer: Better Energy Technology Immediate investment in renewable energy LGA: Lockhart Shire Council generation and battery storage would reduce Expected cost: $22mil wholesale prices faster than current trends Status: DA being assessed by Southern and help avoid a price spike at the moment of Regional Planning Panel closure, like those seen when Hazelwood Description: The proposed development power station closed in 2017. would be located on Lockhart Kywong Road on a 16ha site adjacent to an existing Essential “Yallourn has broken down 33 times in 18 Energy substation. The microgrid is planned to months. Almost everyone accepts it will close provide sufficient power to support the town before the announced 2032 timeframe. The of Lockhart, which will remain on the grid. The question is how soon, and how well we project will include approximately 28,000 prepare for it,” said Environment Victoria panels, 4 containerised 3400KVA inverter Campaigns Manager Dr Nicholas Aberle. stations, and a battery system consisting of approximately 6 containerised batteries “The Victorian government has a simple Contact: Gordon Hinds choice: build replacement supply now to CEO prepare for Yallourn’s inevitable closure and Better Energy Technology reduce risk to the energy system, or be hit Email: [email protected] with price spikes and the risk of blackouts Website: https://www.betterenergy.tech/ when the decision comes out of a boardroom in Hong Kong. “From a climate risk perspective, Yallourn should close as soon as possible. From an energy perspective, there is now a plausible combination of solutions that enable Yallourn Page 3 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) to close by 2023 in a way that has minimal storage (0.5 GW), and other demand-side impact on the grid and on power prices. participation (0.2 GW), can provide the available resources necessary to compensate “The vast majority of Victorians want action for the absence of Yallourn by the summer of on climate change, and they want affordable 2023/24.” and reliable power. This analysis shows we - “This includes both enough annual energy to can have all three. mitigate wholesale price rises and maintain regional power reliability through heatwaves “By building the large-scale renewables, and other extreme events to prevent transmission upgrades and battery storage ‘blackouts’.” outlined in this analysis, together with - “Modelling indicates that with effective continuing the roll-out of the Solar Homes planning the Victorian market can program, the impacts to the electricity system compensate for the closure of Yallourn as of Yallourn closing can be eliminated. early as April 2023.” - “Even if Yallourn