Energy Minister Ben Wyatt has given Western Power the green light to conduct a large demonstration for its Stand-alone Power Systems (SPS) project within part of the South West Interconnected Network.
The project will involve up to 60 locations in regional areas and represents the largest installation of SPS units in the State. The project builds on the successful trial of the technology on six properties in the Great Southern completed in 2017.
With all of the identified customers engaged, Western Power is now about to commence its open tender procurement process for the demonstration project. This provides exciting opportunities for Western Australian companies to supply and install equipment and systems, with national and global interest expected.
The locations were identified based on the age and condition of assets, network topography and customer load usage profiles, plus the fact they are now due for significant maintenance works. The project will help identify optimal configuration of battery, renewable energy and diesel generation technology.
In parallel to Western Power’s SPS project, the Minister has also asked the Public Utilities Office to identify regulatory changes that will allow greater use of SPS as a low cost solution to poles and wires in delivering more reliable services in regional areas.
Information on the SPS demonstration project and procurement opportunities for interested WA companies is available at http://www.westernpower.com.au
Comments attributed to Energy Minister Ben Wyatt:
“Delivering efficient, safe and reliable power to the rural and remote parts of Western Australia is challenging. Long stretches of power lines are at the mercy of wind, rain, vegetation, lightning and bushfires. As a Government-owned utility, Western Power is actively seeking ways to improve reliability for all customers.
“The adoption of new and advanced technologies also opens the door for new skills across the energy sector and the potential for new jobs.
“I urge all Western Australian companies to look at how they could be part of this new wave of infrastructure, and even explore pairing with other organisations to deliver packages to meet the required specifications.”
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