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Who we are

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Our values

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build-own-operate

Microgrids

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Industry First 100% Renewable Energy Generation to go ahead on WA Mine

Blogs, ESG, In the News, News, Project Announcements & Updates

Industry First 100% Renewable Energy Generation to go ahead on WA Mine

Zenith Energy is proud to build on our partnership with IGO – to begin powering the Nova mine-site 100% with renewable energy continuously for up to nine hours – in what will be an industry first.

January 21, 2022

Zenith currently own and operate a hybrid power station at the Nova nickel site in the WA Goldfields and will now expand the renewable generation to successfully operate ‘engine off’ for up to nine consecutive hours a day.

The site is currently powered through a combination of solar and diesel engine generation. By adding an additional 10MW of solar panels, and a 10MWh Battery Energy Storage System the system expansion will allow for 100 percent renewable power generation during daylight hours, weather conditions withstanding.

It’s an important next step on the journey to Net Zero and will set a new industry benchmark in terms of continuous operation of a mine site exclusively on renewable energy, and the integration of renewable energy into a mine site’s power system.

This project sends a strong message to the industry that powering an entire site completely on renewables is possible today.

Here at Zenith, we’re taking on the responsibility of not only developing the concepts to advance renewable solutions, but also piloting and proving the integration of technologies needed.

The Nova project will require us to integrate specific technology into the power system to provide inertia and stability, ensuring a continuous, reliable supply of power.

It will demonstrate a number of key points;

  • ‘Engine Off’ is Achievable: While there are currently non-industrial micro-grids operating on 100% renewables, the Nova project will prove it’s possible to use 100% renewables to meet the demands of an operational mine site. It will also prove the ability for sites to go ‘engine off’ for consecutive hours, without interruption to supply.

  • Battery Technology: The integrated Battery Energy Storage System is a key component of achieving ‘engine off’, storing sufficient power to ensure supply and reliability of the system is not compromised.

  • Relocatable Renewables: Once tenure at Nova ends, the solar panels and battery on site will be relocated to another site in what will be the first practical demonstration at scale of relocatable renewable energy. Proving this will assist in reducing barriers to capital expenditure, as renewable assets are used in multiple locations over their life span. It will also fast-track deployment of solar and further emission reductions across Zenith’s legacy portfolio.

  • Reducing Emissions is Realistic and Achievable on Existing Sites: The Nova project will highlight that 100% renewable energy penetration can be sustainably achieved and replicated on other sites across Australia now, without having to wait for further advancements in technology. For sites where renewables are already part of the power generation system, where land permits increasing renewable assets to go engine-off is a natural next step on the pathway to net zero.

While the Nova site will continue to rely on diesel generated power overnight and during inclement weather conditions, this project is a key next step on the journey to 100% renewable power generation 24 hours a day.

Zenith is already looking at what subsequent steps are needed to achieve this ultimate goal, including how we facilitate higher levels of renewable penetration, and integration of long duration storage.

It’s an exciting time not just for Zenith as a company, but for the entire industry. We’re making real progress in the decarbonization space and what that might look like for the sector moving forward.

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Calidus Warrawoona Renewables

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Calidus Warrawoona Renewables

In order for the mining and resources sector to take meaningful steps toward cutting carbon emissions, it’s critical that companies have the option to integrate renewables into existing infrastructure, and existing power supply contracts.

December 25, 2021

In order for the mining and resources sector to take meaningful steps toward cutting carbon emissions, it’s critical that companies have the option to integrate renewables into existing infrastructure, and existing power supply contracts.

As one of Australia’s leading power producers, we at Zenith Energy are putting our flexible Power Purchase Agreements into action to help mines get on track with emission targets by replacing outdated technologies over time.

Zenith are currently building a 19MW power station at the Calidus Warrawoona mine site near Marble Bar in the Pilbara, with primary power provided by a 10MW LNG station with full diesel redundancy. The power station is set to become operational early to mid 2022.

As an ESG enabler for clients, Zenith are continually working to reduce emissions within our portfolio, and the introduction of our unique PPAs has been a key part of this.

The flexibility and transparency built into the contracts means as renewable technology becomes more economically viable, outdated technologies are replaced.

This is playing out at the Warrawoona site, where we recently committed to the supply, installation and commissioning of a 4MW DC Solar Farm, as well as a 3MW/3MWh AC Battery Energy Storage System.

The hybrid power station configuration will result in a reduction in gas use, which in turn results in a reduction in emissions, around 13 percent less than the initially contracted gas only station.

The decision to integrate solar generation and a battery storage system at the Warrawoona site is the result of ongoing discussions with the client about developing renewable solutions, and implementing onsite where possible.

It’s another step forward in the ongoing journey to Net Zero.

The Australian Government has now formalised a Net Zero target for 2050. However, Zenith Energy are confident we can achieve zero emissions sooner, by 2035, and have a number of motivations for doing so.

  • Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance: Zenith are committed to leading the way on sustainable power generation within the mining and resources sector and assisting clients in emission reduction.

  • Consumer/Investor Drive: Consumers and investors are increasingly making decisions based on the carbon footprint of companies, and are demanding businesses take on greater environmental responsibility. This is manifesting itself in the cost of funding for projects. Goldman Sachs have stated that the cost of carbon is being priced into the cost of funding. Zenith are listening to those conversations, and are actively working to decarbonise our current portfolio, and integrate renewable power generation on future projects. 

  • Cost of CO2/Carbon Tariffs: Various countries are considering implementing carbon tariffs, as part of wider action on climate change, but also to ensure companies moving toward zero emissions aren’t disadvantaged in doing so. Impacts of carbon tariffs on Australian miners are widely forecast to have an impact.

  • For The Good of The Planet: A report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found sustained global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gases are required, in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Zenith are committed to bringing clients on the Net Zero journey with us, and rather than wait for renewable solutions to be developed, we are proactively searching for answers.

As part of this Zenith are also working with Original Equipment Manufacturers to develop and test new technologies, to allow us to integrate these solutions as the technology is proven and becomes economically viable.

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How Company Values Spark the Right Culture

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How Company Values Spark the Right Culture

As a 35 year veteran of the power generation industry, I’ve learned that companies cannot be successful long-term, without having the right culture in place.

December 22, 2021

While this will look a little different for each individual company, the essence remains the same in that you need engaged employees, and a strong set of values that are not only embraced by all staff, but are also actively on display from the people at the top.

As a co-founder of Zenith, I have personally looked to ensure that a key part of our company is the development of open and rewarding relationships, placing an emphasis on honesty and respect.

It is from this base that we can genuinely strive to make a difference, not only within the lives of our employees, but also in the world around us.

Zenith Energy has grown to become one of Australia’s leading independent power producers and we continue to look for ways in which we can do better. It’s one of the key reasons why we’re embarking on the journey to achieve Net Zero by 2035.

However, such an ambitious goal cannot be achieved without the support and commitment of the entire team, from the most junior of roles, right up to upper management.

Having the right set of values in place acts as a guide for the company’s strategic direction, business practices and decision making.

Safety: For the people and the environment. It’s a commitment to protecting the safety, health and wellbeing of our team, our contractors, our customers and the environment in which we operate.

Performance: Delivering sustainable energy solutions. Dedicated to providing safe, reliable and sustainable solutions with real benefits to our customers and our shareholders.

Accountability: Taking ownership. Valuing the ability of our people and our organisation to work diligently and honour our commitments, responsibly and with integrity.

Reliability: Consistency in the supply of energy. Inspiring confidence in our business model, our products and further enhancing our reputation in the market.

Knowledge: Innovative solutions and people. A commitment to continuous technical development and innovation of our products, services and our team.

We draw upon these values to deliver a can-do attitude, embracing challenges in the renewable energy and sustainability space, and becoming part of the solution.

Zenith is actively taking steps to decarbonise both our future and legacy clients, not only because our people believe we should, but because they believe we have the ability to create change.

An organisation is not a single person, but rather it is a patchwork of people, each bringing their unique set of circumstances and experiences to the table.

We at Zenith embrace that patchwork, and use it to empower the company in reaching key milestones on the journey to Net Zero.

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Testing of New Technologies A Crucial Step to Net Zero

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Testing of New Technologies A Crucial Step to Net Zero

As global conversations continue to focus on reducing emissions, we at Zenith Energy are increasing our commitment to the testing of emerging technologies within the mining and resources industry, in yet another step toward Net Zero.

December 01, 2021

We have set a target of zero emissions by 2035, confident it strikes the right balance between ambition and ability, and allows ample time for vital technological advancements to be made.

However, it’s not enough to simply set a target if we don’t know how it will be achieved, and so we’re willing to develop the concepts needed to advance renewable solutions and take on the burden of testing the technology.

Rather than wait and see, we want to be part of the solution.

Currently, 100% renewable power generation is expensive, but in developing the technology and proving it works, we can increase demand and start producing economies of scale. Taking that risk is the only way to reduce cost for ourselves and our customers.

Zenith is focusing on the development of four specific technologies, which can be integrated in different ways to reduce emissions on site;

  • Bulk solar and wind: While WA has an abundance of solar and wind, more work is needed to allow sites to become ‘engine off’ and operate solely on renewable generated power during daylight hours. A key component will be the integration of technology into power systems which will ensure continuous reliable supply of power. The ‘engine off’ concept will also require the installation of adequate solar and wind to generate enough power that can be stored to maintain continuous supply for up to nine consecutive hours.

  • Long Term Mass Storage: Long duration storage remains one of the biggest challenges to decarbonisation, with batteries needing to be able to store enough power and meet the demands of a constant charge/discharge cycle. We are the only independent power producer to be a member of the Electric Mines Consortium, and as such are part of a working group evaluating multiple storage technologies.

  • Relocatable fleet of renewables: The development of a relocatable, modular fleet of renewables will allow for greater renewable energy penetration on sites where long-term tenure of 10+ years isn’t possible. Such a fleet must be large enough to meet power generation demands, yet also be able to be relocated at the end of mine operations.

  • Green-fuels: Various green fuels are being pursued to replace diesel within power stations and for fleets. There are currently challenges around security of supply and cost. It’s for this reason we’re proactively looking to develop a waste to energy plant in WA mining hubs, generating green fuel through mining waste including tyres and plastic.

Another important step is the electrification of mining operations, and we’re currently considering solutions around what the charging infrastructure will look like.

A crucial step in making renewable technologies more affordable is proving they’re effective, as once that happens we can start producing at scale which brings the price down. But, the process of proving the technology is also expensive and carries risk.

While the aim of developing the technology is to decarbonise our current and future portfolio, there are also potential benefits for households.

As various technologies are proven to be successful, the residential grid will also likely adopt them. This greening of the grid will reduce the overall reliance on gas and coal-fired power stations into the future.

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Unique Power Contracts a Crucial Step Forward to Net Zero in the Mining and Resources Sector

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Unique Power Contracts a Crucial Step Forward to Net Zero in the Mining and Resources Sector

As discussions continue about the need to reduce emissions within the economy, we at Zenith Energy are taking steps to support the mining and resources sector and demonstrate our commitment to achieving Net Zero, with the introduction of unique power agreements.

November 16, 2021

While the focus more broadly has been on 2050 as the milestone date, we’ve committed to reaching Net Zero much sooner, by 2035, as we believe it presents the right balance of ambition and reality.

Our Power Purchase Agreements, or PPAs, are a key part of that journey, enabling clients to adopt greener, cleaner technologies as they emerge whilst also remaining commercially competitive.

We’re committed to substituting higher emission power generation technologies with renewable energy technologies, at the lowest levelised cost of energy.

As a company, we believe the flexibility and transparency within our PPAs allow clients to move forward with us on the transition to 100% renewable energy.

It’s a result of our commitment to making a change, through the piloting of various greener technologies required for Net Zero and initiating the transition to these, rather than passing it on to others.

The PPAs are an acknowledgment there’s still some way to go before net zero is reached, but our clients won’t be left behind if they sign on now.

Our PPAs guarantee to our clients that as new technology emerges, we will displace technology already in place on site. We’re also providing guarantees around the levelised cost of energy, so clients won’t be locked into higher costs as markets change in the future.

The mining sector is increasingly moving away from fossil-fuels, however it’s clear that challenges remain in terms of storing renewable energy, and the supply of green-fuels to provide dispatchable generation when instantaneous or stored wind and solar energy aren’t available.

Once again, our PPAs are an acknowledgment of those challenges.

We know we don’t yet have all the answers, however our PPAs are now providing the framework for the sector to achieve its Net Zero targets.

Zenith is committed to being part of the solution, and that also involves us collaborating with leading miners to develop storage technologies for the electrification of mines, as well as deploying a fleet of relocatable renewables to assist with decarbonising both future and existing sites.

We would like to be able to say that we can take our clients to net zero by 2035, with a clear roadmap and a clear set of technologies that we’ve tested and proven and are able to deploy and uniquely integrate.

What our agreements do is enable lowest cost of power, and lowest emissions for that power, for the entire tenure of the agreement.

We’re also aware clients have concerns that might deter them from signing on to a long-term contract, and we’re actively addressing these;

  • Technology Redundancy: Clients can be assured that as technology continues to develop, Zenith will remain at the forefront of implementing new technology as it emerges.

  • Future Cost Effectiveness: Clients won’t be locked into a set power price for the entire tenure. As technology becomes more economical and drives down prices, those benefits will be passed on to the client.

  • Not Having a Clear Sustainability Plan: Zenith Energy can provide clients a roadmap for their journey to net zero, with the PPAs to outline the roadmap and milestones along the way. Clients don’t have to wait for the perfect renewable technology to obtain reliable, affordable power that reduces their emissions, they can start now and still benefit from future advancements as they occur with Zenith.

Another critical challenge is the storage of renewable generated energy, and we at Zenith are involved in a number of pilot projects to test and develop long-term mass energy storage solutions.

We’re actively working with Original Equipment Manufacturers to develop the technology, so that we also have the expertise in-house to integrate it.

We don’t want to wait and see, we are figuring it out so that we can take our clients on that journey with us.

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