Australia’s only geothermal plant being upgraded
The operators of Australia’s only geothermal power plant at Birdsville, are expanding the plant – while small in size, it will impact the local municipality greatly.
As reported by the operator of Australia’s only geothermal plant, upgrades are being made to expand the existing installed capacity from 85 kW to 150-200 kW.
Ergon Energy will integrate the existing diesel power generation unit to allow for up to 70% of renewable energy of total electricity generated in the municipality. With it, they plan to displace up to 80% of the 500,000 litres of diesel used for power generation in Birdsville, which will save up to AU$340,000 a year on diesel fuel cost.
“The Birdsville Geothermal Power Station uses water from the Artesian Basin; the new approach will adopt modular waste heat recovery equipment used in a number of geothermal and heat recovery plants around the world.
An estimated 20 personnel are expected to live and work in Birdsville during construction, realising an economic benefit to the township which has a regular population of about 120, which swells to about 7000 for the annual races.
This project will ultimately provide Ergon Energy with the knowledge and understanding of key issues associated with geothermal technical solutions for further possible application in isolated communities.
Ergon, which owns and operates 33 isolated power stations which supply 38 off-grid communities, aims to eliminate diesel generation in isolated systems by 2050, through energy conservation, increased renewable generation and energy efficiency activities.
Ergon Energy already uses solar and wind generation in some other isolated communities as part of its progressive deployment of renewable energy.”
Source: Ergon Energy