Independent Australian power producer Zenith Energy is partnering with ASX-listed IGO Limited to power its Nova nickel-copper-cobalt operation in the Goldfields 100 per cent with renewable energy continuously for up to nine hours a day, in what will be an industry first.
Zenith is the builder, owner, and operator of the power station at the Nova mine and will expand its renewable generation to successfully operate ‘engine off’ for up to nine consecutive hours a day.
The site is currently powered by a hybrid solar and diesel engine system and will expand its renewable energy capabilities through the addition of an extra 10 megawatt of solar panels, and a 10 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system (BESS).
IGO chief operating officer Matt Dusci said this was an important next step in IGO’s journey towards carbon neutrality.
He continued: “By supporting greater uses of renewable energy at our Nova operation, it will set a new industry benchmark in renewable energy integration and demonstrates our commitment to decarbonize our business.
“As a company we continue to challenge ourselves on continuous improvement – we are now at a point where technology and cost structure are enabling powering of an entire mining operation with 100 per cent renewable penetration.”
Zenith executive manager for growth Dominic Da Cruz said Zenith was taking on the responsibility of not only developing the concepts to advance renewable solutions, but also piloting and proving the integration of technologies needed.
Da Cruz added: “The Nova 2.0 project will require us to integrate specific technology into the power system to provide inertia and stability, ensuring a continuous, reliable supply of power.”
The project will demonstrate a number of key points:
• ‘Engine Off’ is Achievable: While there are currently non-industrial micro-grids operating on 100 percent renewables, the Nova project will prove it’s possible to use 100 per cent 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 BESS 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 per cent 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.
Da Cruz said while Nova will continue to rely on diesel generated power overnight and during inclement weather conditions, he is confident the industry is approaching a tipping point whereby 100 per cent renewable power generation will be possible 24 hours a day.
He continued: “Zenith is already looking at what subsequent steps are needed to achieve this, including how we make wind assets relocatable to achieve higher levels of renewable penetration, and the 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 decarbonisation space and what that might look like for the sector moving forward.”