Antinuclear

Renewable energy micro-grid plannned for Kalbarri, Western Australia

Renewable energy micro-grid could help restore faith in Kalbarri power supply, ABC News, 3 Mar 16  By Bonnie Christian The WA Government has announced it will commit $300,000 to investigate a way to build an energy micro-grid powered by renewables for the coastal town of Kalbarri.

Kalbarri has experienced several extended power outages over the past two years, costing local businesses thousands of dollars in lost trade and tourism.

The outages had been blamed on a build up of dust and salt on the 140-kilometre-long feeder line that delivers power to the town from Geraldton………..

Rebuilding trust in power supply

Western Power chief executive Paul Italiano said if the new grid did go ahead it would be the largest of its kind in Australia.

“What we’re proposing to do here is evaluating the feasibility of building a micro-grid in Kalbarri that has a combination of solar, perhaps wind, and large scale battery storage that work together to create a level of self-sufficiency for the town,” he said.

“This particular trial — if we’re able to pull it off — will be the largest in Australia.

“There’ll be lessons from this that we can apply to the rest of Western Australia. But more importantly for the whole power industry nationally.”…….http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-02/kalbarri-looks-to-renewable-energy-micro-grid-for-power-solution/7215630

March 4, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | energy, Western Australia