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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