The Nova Nickel Mine is located in the Fraser Range, 380 km from the Port of Esperance and was commenced in 2015
Project Background
The Nova Nickel Mine is located in the Fraser Range, 380 km from the Port of Esperance and was commenced in 2015
The operation is 100% owned by IGO, an ASX listed mining and exploration company that produces gold, nickel, and copper operations
Zeniths initial power generation solution at Nova was a 19MW diesel station which included:
5 x 3MW Medium Speed Diesel Generating Sets
3x 1.7 MW High Speed Diesel Generating Sets
Renewable Integration
In 2019 Zenith commissioned a 5.5MW PV solar power station to operate in parallel with the existing 19MW diesel fueled power station at Nova.
The solar power was designed to seamlessly integrate with the existing power station, using a control system designed to maximise the use of renewable energy while providing reliable and consistent power – a testament to the innovation and control systems capability of Zenith Energy’s engineers.
The system uses Zenith’s state-of-the-art cloud prediction and integration technology in order to predict cloud cover events. When large cloud coverage is predicted, the thermal generation is increased to offset the decrease in solar irradiation.
The numbers behind this system:
11GWh per year in the first 3 years of operation
3 million litres less diesel per year
8,100 tonnes per year fewer CO2emissions per annum
How Zenith is Leading the Sector
Zenith and IGO are continuing their efforts to reduce emissions at the Nova operation by optimising the system to enable “Engine Off”.
This innovation will allow for diesel generation to be turned off and replaced with either stored or generated renewable capacity for significant periods during daylight hours. This is an industry first.
To achieve Engine Off, Zenith will install the following:
Additional 10.2MW of relocatable solar to enable renewable generation in excess of 100% of site demand
BESS system to provide smoothing during clouding events and capture additional solar spill where possible
Synchronous Condensers to provide grid forming and reactive support
Installed capacity
Thermal: 19 MW via diesel generation
Solar: 16 MW
BESS: Battery Energy Storage System of 12MW/12 MWh
Synchronous condensers: 2 x 2.8MVAr Syncron.
‘Engine Off’ enabled – the ability to operate on 100% renewable energy when conditions allow.
Commercial operation date (COD)
The Original Nova power station began operations in 2015, with the first hybrid components commissioned in 2019.
Contract term
10 Years.
Client’s decarbonisation objective
IGO’s Nova Project aims to reduce its carbon emissions by maximising the use of renewable energy. The hybrid power plant, which enables 100% renewable operation during specific periods, is part of IGO’s broader commitment to sustainability and lowering its environmental impact. This hybrid solution allows the mine to minimise reliance on fossil fuels while enhancing operational efficiency through renewable integration.
“It’s an important next step on the journey to Net Zero. It will set a new industry benchmark in terms of renewable energy integration, and reduction of emissions at mine sites. It sends a message to the industry that powering an entire site 100% with renewables is possible today.”
Abby Kenward is a Human Resources Manager with the ability to optimise businesses by effectively resourcing, managing, developing and deploying people. Over twelve years’ experience in implementing and managing HR & IR business functions, including; Resourcing, Remuneration and Benefits, Learning and Development, Performance Management, Employee Relations and Strategic Planning. This experience has been gained across a range of industries; consulting, oil and gas, engineering, construction and non for profits.
Jitu Bhudia
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Jitu is a focused and highly accomplished Senior Executive with a background in both technical and commercial finance, and extensive experience in driving business performance and value creation. Commercially and organisationally astute, he spearheads innovation to maximise benefits for internal and external stakeholders. He is also an authentic leader, building and mentoring diverse teams of professionals in service delivery across a range of organisational systems and processes. Prior to his current role with Zenith, he was the Chief Financial Officer for Swick Mining Services. He is a Chartered Accountant and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Simon Jelly
EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, IPP GROWTH
Simon Jelly is a Specialist Electrical technician who has +20 years’ experience in the remote power industry. He is highly skilled in Gas, Diesel, and Hybrid renewable power stations, having designed, commissioned, and constructed numerous power stations throughout WA and the NT Mining Industries. Simon has strong leadership skills having grown a successful design and construction team at Zenith over 10 years. Simon has been responsible for designing, engineering and the construction of new projects, managing all technical aspects of the business including, operational efficiency initiatives, the tender process, as well as R&D.
Graham Cooper
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Graham is an electrical technician and experienced manager having worked in the IPP industry with Doug for many years, he has over 30 years’ experience in designing, constructing, and operating, remote area’s power stations and renewable energy systems. He is responsible for, managing all engineering, project construction, and operational/maintenance aspects of the business, including the company HSEQ and Human resources teams.
Russell Purdy
MANAGER HSEQ
Russell has over 38 years’ experience in safety management roles across the mining, energy, power and drilling industries. Most recently, he was the Contract HSE/HR Manager overseeing Drillwest and Acqua Drill Resources through his own company RP Hazard, Risk and Training Solutions. Previously he held roles with BHP Billiton, Wesfarmers Energy (Kleenheat Gas), Western Power and Boart Longyear. Russell’s expertise includes risk identification and management, development and implementation of Management Systems to Australian Standards and ensuring a compliance focus with safety in design.
Doug Walker
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Doug is a 35-year veteran of the power generation industry. He has designed and built more than 60 remote power stations across Australasia, initially through his own company, StateWest Power and later through Zenith Pacific, which he co-founded in 2006. StateWest was subsequently acquired by Wesfarmers Energy. Doug is recognised in the industry for his innovative thinking, both in finding effective solutions to difficult power generation problems and for creating the now widely-recognised Build – Own – Operate (BOO) approach to the establishment of remote area power plants.
Hamish Moffat
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Hamish has extensive experience in the downstream oil industry gained primarily in building markets in numerous sectors across Asia, Europe and the US. Hamish was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of a private commercial services company, which he sold into a major public services conglomerate in the second half of 2015. Previously he was the Chief Executive Officer of a privately held oil distribution company, which holds exclusive distribution rights to a major international brand and has performed roles as Segment Director and Marketing Director for one of the world’s largest oil companies.
Dominic Da Cruz
EXECUTIVE ESG AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Dominic has 25 years international commercial experience with the past 15 years in senior executive energy sector business development and leadership roles. He has shaped strategy, business direction and led market development in renewables and microgrids across the public and private sector. Dominic has led a range of professional clean energy and microgrid projects as consultant and project director with energy utilities, remote communities, mining operations, commercial and industrial property developers. Dominic was responsible for the founding and building one of the longest standing successful private clean energy businesses in Australia. He was also the Project Director for the creation of a new statutory electricity corporation for the WA government with 800,000 customers
Elvin Heng
EXECUTIVE CONTRACTS, COMMERCIAL AND PROCUREMENT
Elvin has over 25 years experience in the energy industry including as an upstream oil & gas industry executive across the LNG value chain for fixed and floating small to mid-scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in USA, Canada, China, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia & Papua New Guinea. Elvin is experienced in establishing new domestic virtual pipeline natural gas markets and expanding existing market offerings for the LNG fuels and power sector including initiating, evaluating and delivering sanctioned business cases to realize target ROI. Elvin has previously held executive management roles for an ASX top 50 energy operator delivering a baseload LNG project in Papua New Guinea, and for specialist SME consulting companies in the Australasian region supporting both onshore and offshore Exploration & Production activities.
Tim Cipolloni
EXECUTIVE CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT & TREASURY
Tim joined Zenith Energy as Executive Manager Corporate Development in April 2021. He leads the Corporate Development Team, focusing on originating and executing the acquisition of new distributed energy solutions for Zenith. An experienced commercial and finance executive, Tim has held a number of finance and corporate development roles with South32 and BHP. Prior to his current role with Zenith, he was the Head of Treasury and Corporate Finance for South32. He has a Bachelor degree in Commerce and Law and a Master of Applied Finance.
