Flinders Island Hybrid Energy Hub
Client: Hydro Tasmania
Location: Flinders Island, Australia
Date: 2014–2018
Powering an island community through renewables for reliable electricity at lower cost and with lower emissions.
Background
Flinders Island has historically depended on diesel generation to meet its energy needs. The community has a vision of becoming 100% powered by renewables, and reducing the use of expensive and emissions-intensive diesel fuel.
The $12.88 million ‘Hybrid Energy Hub’ project aimed to significantly increase renewable energy use on the island and reduce the importation and use of diesel for a secure and cleaner energy future. This project was an initiative of Hydro Tasmania with funding assistance provided by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
Solution
The Flinders Island Hybrid Energy Hub integrates a 900 kW wind turbine and 200 kW solar array with enabling technologies including a 750 kW/266 kWh battery, a containerised 850 kVA flywheel, a containerised 1.5 MW dynamic resistor and an advanced hybrid control system to manage the fluctuating mix of wind, solar and diesel power in a stable, secure and reliable way.
The technology adopted enables Flinders Island to be 60% powered by renewables, on average, using wind and solar. When there’s enough wind and sun, the island is 100% powered by renewables for considerable periods (it has already achieved a continuous period of nearly 100 hours).
The containerisation of innovative enabling technologies was developed on the project allowing production and testing of equipment to take place off-site, ensuring a speedy roll-out at the final location, reducing the risk, cost and duration of construction. The containerisation approach minimises potential impacts on customers and on the daily activities of an operational power station.
The real-time performance of the system can be viewed on Android and iOS apps.
Outcome
Development of the Flinders Island Hybrid Energy Hub follows the success of Hydro Tasmania’s King Island Renewable Energy Integration Project (KIREIP), which has seen King Island’s energy needs supplied solely from renewables when conditions allow, a world-leading breakthrough.
It provides the Flinders Island community with improved energy security and safety across its extensive distribution network through provision of significant fault current, less diesel usage, lower energy production costs, lower emissions, and a boost for the island’s clean and sustainable reputation.
