Renewable energy system unveiled at Swan Valley Nyungah community

14/2/98

The first combined wind and solar renewable energy system to be connected to an electricity grid in Western Australia was unveiled today at the Swan Valley Nyungah Aboriginal Community.

Energy Minister Colin Barnett, together with Robert Bropho from the Swan Valley Community, looked over the $200 000 'green energy' project this morning. It is expected to be connected to Western Power's main electricity grid over the next few weeks.

Mr Barnett said the project, funded by ATSIC, the Alternative Energy Development Board, Homeswest, and the International Centre for Application of Solar Energy (CASE), would supply power to the Swan Valley Community and assist them towards their aim for self sufficiency. Any excess power generated from the system would be sold to Western Power.

The Minister said the renewable energy project had a number of benefits, including reducing power costs to the Swan Valley Community, assisting research into the integration of renewable energy with power systems, and being a demonstration site to educate other indigenous communities in the operation of renewable energy technologies.

"The Swan Valley initiative is an excellent example of a collaborative project which has many positives for the local Aboriginal community, the renewable energy industry and local manufacturers," he said.

The renewable energy power system consists of two 10 kilowatt (kW) 30m high wind turbines, nine 80-watt solar arrays, a three phase inverter and a 20kWh battery bank. Much of the technology has been provided by local suppliers which are international leaders in the development of renewable energy.

"An exciting feature of this project is that excess power not used by the community at any particular time will be bought by Western Power under its Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme and fed into its main electricity grid system," Mr Barnett said.

"The amount Western Power pays for this energy varies according to the time of day and year and is based on its SmartPower rates."

Mr Barnett said the wind and solar project was expected to meet approximately 75 per cent of the community's power needs for its new dwellings and social buildings .

"Ten new houses at the Swan Valley community will all be fitted with swipe card meters. This will ensure that the electricity used by individual households is prepaid using a swipe card that community members will buy from their administration.

"This initiative has been successfully introduced at Aboriginal communities on the Goldfields such as Nambi Road Village outside Leonora."

Mr Barnett said the energy site would be used for educational purposes under a training program organised by CASE to educate other indigenous communities on the benefits, operation and maintenance of renewable energy technologies.

"There are situations around the State, particularly in remote areas not connected to an electricity grid, where there is little or no power or inefficient diesel generation," he said.

"This project will benefit such communities who may consider the installation of similar renewable energy systems which will not only provide a power source, but will improve the living conditions of community members, assist them to be energy-wise and improve self-sufficiency."

The system will also be remotely monitored by CASE at its headquarters in Perth, allowing its performance to be analysed and used as a showcase for Australian renewable energy technology to eastern States and overseas interests.

Media contact: Justine Whittome (08) 9222 9699 or 041 777 9699