Rural Renewable Energy Program - small projects

The Rural Renewable Energy Program for small projects provides rebates for grid-connected renewable energy systems up to 30kW that are installed in specific 'fringe-of-grid' areas of the South West electricity grid. Since the program's introduction in June 2006 to February 2007, rebates totalling $12,300 have been paid for two grid-connected renewable energy power systems. Rebates have been committed for fourteen additional projects.

Rural Renewable Energy Program - medium projects

The Rural Renewable Energy Program for medium projects provides rebates for grid-connected renewable energy systems rated between 30kW and 2MW that are installed in specific 'fringe-of-grid' areas of the South West electricity grid. The first funding round closed in September 2006 and funding support has been requested for eight projects. Details of projects that are successful in securing funding are expected to be announced within the next few months.

Regional Energy Efficiency Program

The Regional Energy Efficiency Program provides incentives for householders, businesses and other organisations in areas outside of the South West electricity grid to reduce their energy use. Since the program's introduction in December 2006 up to February 2007, a total of 21,000 compact fluorescent lamps have been distributed and rebates totalling $3,100 have been paid for 24 energy efficient appliances.

Large projects

The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program also provides rebates for large renewable energy power systems (with a rebate value greater than $500,000) replacing fossil fuel generation in off-grid areas. So far funding has been approved for seven large projects, which are described below.

Nine Mile Beach Wind Farm, Esperance

The Nine Mile Beach Wind Farm consists of six 600kW variable speed turbines with a total capacity of 3.6MW. Funding of $5 million was provided for the project, which cost just over $10 million. The wind farm was built by Verve Energy (formerly Western Power) and complements their existing 2MW Ten Mile Lagoon Wind Farm.

The town of Esperance is located on the south coast of Western Australia, about 700km from Perth. The town has a population of around 13,200 and supports local farming, tourist, mining and fishing activities. Electricity supply is also being provided by a new gas fired power station, which replaced the old diesel power station.

The new wind farm generates around 9.5GWh per annum and increased the contribution of wind to about 25% of the town's electricity needs. The wind farm is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 6,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.

The Nine Mile Beach Wind Farm was officially opened in October 2003.

Hopetoun Wind Project

The first Hopetoun Wind Project involved the installation of a 600kW variable speed wind turbine and an advanced control and power management system. The project cost $3.1 million and $1.34 million in Renewable Remote Power Generation Program funding was provided. The wind turbine was built and is operated by Verve Energy.

Hopetoun is a small town located on the south coast of Western Australia, about 600km south east of Perth and 180km west of Esperance. The town supports local fishing and farming activities and is a popular tourist destination. Electricity supply is also supported by a 1.8MW diesel power station.

The wind turbine supplies around 1.44GWh per annum and provides fuel and greenhouse gas savings of around 400,000 litres and 1,110 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum respectively. It was officially opened in April 2004.

Hopetoun Wind Expansion Project

Since the original wind turbine was installed, Hopetoun has experienced substantial growth due to nearby mining activities. Consequently, a second 600kW wind turbine, associated control and power management system and additional low load diesel generators will be installed. The cost of the project is estimated at $3.6m and funding of $1.3m has been committed to the project.

The additional wind turbine is expected to generate 1,100MWh per annum and reduce diesel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 220,000 litres and 600 tonnes carbon dioxide per annum, respectively. Collectively the two wind projects are expected to provide around 45% of the town's increased electricity needs.

The new wind turbine is scheduled for completion by August 2007.

Rottnest Island Wind Project

The Rottnest Island Wind Project involved the installation of a 600kW variable speed wind turbine and an associated control system. The project cost $3.85 million and $1.92 million in Renewable Remote Power Generation Program funding was provided for it. The wind turbine was built by Verve Energy and operated by the Rottnest Island Authority.

Rottnest Island is located 20km west of Perth and is a popular tourist destination for both local and international tourists, attracting over 450,000 visitors each year. The wind turbine is part of a wider project addressing both electricity and water needs on the Island, with a focus on sustainability.

The wind turbine is expected to supply around 1.5GWh per annum, meeting about 38% of the Island's electricity needs. Fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be reduced by around 570,000 litres and 1,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum respectively.

The wind turbine was officially opened in December 2004.

Bremer Bay Wind Project

The Bremer Bay Wind Project involved the installation of a 600kW variable speed wind turbine and an advanced control system. The wind turbine was installed in conjunction with a new diesel power station that improved the quality of electricity supply to the town. The project cost $4.5m and $1.3m in Renewable Remote Power Generation Program funding was provided for it. The wind turbine was built and is operated by Verve Energy.

Bremer Bay is a small town located on the south coast of Western Australia, about 150km east of Albany. The town supports local fishing and farming activities and is a popular tourist destination. Until recently Bremer Bay was connected to the South West grid via a 33kV feeder from Albany, but due to the high number and lengthy duration of power outages the town was disconnected from the grid and is supplied by a diesel power station.

The wind turbine is expected to supply around 1.3GWh per annum, meeting about 40% of the town's electricity needs. Fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by around 336,000 litres and 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum respectively. Installation of the wind turbine was completed in June 2005.

Coral Bay Wind Project

The Coral Bay Wind Project will involve the installation of three 275kW wind turbines and a specialised control system that incorporates a short term storage capability. The wind turbines will be installed in conjunction with a new, public-owned diesel power station and are unique in that they can be lowered in the event of a cyclone. The overall project is estimated to cost $9.6m and funding of $2.76m has been committed to the project.

Coral Bay is a small settlement located on the northwest coast of WA, about 1,100km north of Perth and 120km south of Exmouth. The settlement consists largely of tourist facilities and most permanent residents are employees in the tourism industry. Power use in Coral Bay is expected to grow significantly with the provision of a better quality power supply and other essential infrastructure.

The wind turbines are expected to generate 1GWh per annum and meet around 40% of the settlement's electricity needs. Over the first five years the wind turbines are expected to displace about 440kL of diesel per annum and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 1,160 tonnes carbon dioxide per annum.

Installation and commissioning of the new wind diesel system is expected to be completed by December 2007.

Denham Wind Expansion Project

The Denham Wind Expansion Project will involve the installation of an additional 300kW wind turbine and associated control system to augment the existing 690kW wind diesel power station. The cost of the project is estimated to be around $1.7m and funding of $765,000 has been committed to the project.

Denham is the most westerly town in Australia, nestled amongst World Heritage Area, approximately 830km north of Perth on the Peron Peninsular. The town supports a diverse nature based tourism industry and a small fishing industry.

The new wind turbine is expected to generate 705MWh per year. Over the first five years of operation the turbine is expected to reduce diesel consumption by 230 kilolitres per annum and greenhouse gas emissions by 621 tonnes carbon dioxide per year.

Installation and commissioning of the new turbine is expected to be completed by August 2007.

Industry support projects

Research Institute for Sustainable Energy

Renewable Remote Power Generation Program funding has been committed to the Research Institute for Sustainable Energy at Murdoch University to carry out an industry support project. The project involves testing of renewable energy equipment, development of standards, provision of information on renewable energy and professional development training.

A major function of the project is the maintenance and development of ResLab, which provides the Australian renewable energy industry with a facility for testing and accreditation of renewable energy products

Further information about the Research Institute for Sustainable Energy is provided on its website.

BCSE Accreditation Development and Standards Seminar

This project involves the further development of accreditation for designers and installers of renewable energy and hybrid power systems by the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy. The project also includes the development of a seminar about recent changes to standards relevant to Remote Area Power Supply systems. All States that are part of the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program have contributed funding for this project. This project has now been completed.

Training in Hybrid Power Systems for Aboriginal Communities

This project involves the training of Aboriginal outstation members in the Broome region on the operation and maintenance of small hybrid power systems. The project is being carried out by the Mamabulanjin Aboriginal Corporation, which has installed and is responsible for a number of hybrid power systems serving outstations in the region. The project includes the installation of a hybrid power system and a Bushlight power system at the Corporation's offices in Broome. In addition to being used for training outstation members, the systems will also be used for demonstration purposes and for training local industry members in the design, installation and maintenance of small renewable energy and hybrid power systems. This project has now been completed.

DVD training for installation of solar-diesel power systems

This project involved the development of a DVD-based training guide by ECS Perth for the installation of solar-diesel power systems. With recent changes to Australian Standards for the installation of solar-diesel power systems, the DVD is a valuable reference tool for existing designers and installers of stand alone power systems, for electricians based in remote areas who only occasionally install such systems, and for students at TAFE and universities. The DVD will help to improve the quality of installed systems. This project has now been completed.

Training in Renewable Energy Systems for Remote Areas of WA

This project involved the development of five one-day training courses on various aspects of renewable energy systems for remote areas, and the provision of these courses in Broome, Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Kalgoorlie and Perth. The project was performed by the Australian CRC for Renewable Energy in conjunction with Central TAFE and has now been completed. The training courses were well received by industry members, system users and other stakeholders, and the courses are likely to be run again in regional WA towns.

Further information

Sustainable Energy Development Office
Office of Energy
Level 9 / 197 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Phone: (08) 9420 5604 or 9420 5600
Fax: (08) 9420 5699
Email: sedo@energy.wa.gov.au


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