Shaping better electricity procurement
17 September 2018
Arup: A large regional centre in
NSW is considering introducing
renewable energy sources after a
comprehensive feasibility study by Arup’s Energy Advisory team.
Drawing on our specialist knowledge and experience of renewable energy,
we advised
Goulburn Mulwaree Council on options for procuring cheaper,
greener and more reliable
electricity.
Arup’s energy consultant Michael Salt said the study gives Council the
information to make ‘commercially sensible renewable energy investment
decisions’.
Goulburn Mulwaree is a thriving regional centre of around 30,000 people.
It is two hours from
Sydney, 1 hour from
Canberra and 1.5 hours from the
coast.
The area has a strong economy with services and amenities comparable to
a large city but the benefits of a rural lifestyle.
As a major employer and the closest level of government to individuals,
the Council believes it is important to lead the region in
sustainability.
For several years, the Council has been investing in sustainable
initiatives including developing ‘off-the-grid’ offices at waste
management centres, installing
solar panels on Council
buildings and enabling the deployment of electric vehicle charging
stations.
The Council engaged Arup to assist in developing a Renewable Options
Feasibility Study and is looking forward to taking the next step in
developing a sustainable future for the region.
Our study considered a range of factors - technical, financial,
legal, environmental, planning and community issues, including any
impacts on stakeholders. It also analysed and assessed set-up and
auxiliary costs, and provided guidance on the associated challenges and
opportunities.
The Arup study suggested installation of solar systems at sites where a
daytime load is large enough to absorb generation. The solar would be
connected in a behind the meter (BTM) arrangement, where electricity
generated is fed directly to the site negating the need to access the
distribution and transmission network.
The locally generated electricity is generated at a lower cost than
electricity sourced from the grid. This offers a strategic opportunity
to reduce the Council’s long-term energy costs.
Reliance on the grid could be further mitigated – and energy security
enhanced – by providing lithium-ion or flow battery storage, so that a
site would have little to no reliance on the grid.
“This study has shown that it is really attractive for the Council to
generate and supply their own electricity through solar and battery
systems. I think more councils and other large electricity users will
come forward to work out how to generate their own electricity and slash
their costs. ” - Michael Salt
Arup is helping shape the change in the Australian energy market,
particularly within the context of solar systems in the built
environment. We are undertaking feasibility studies and full design of
significant solar systems for commercial, education and public buildings
that amount to more than 9 MW across more than 30 projects ranging from
large portfolio projects to individual buildings.
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Source: Arup - www.arup.com
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