Photon Energy Replaces Diesel with Hybrid Solar and Storage System on Lord Howe Island
- The project includes more than 1.2 MWp in solar PV and battery storage with a capacity of over 3.2 megawatt hours
- The installation integrated with the island's microgrid is expected to generate more than two thirds of target reduction in diesel and improve energy security
- Construction on the project will begin early next year and is expected to be completed by June 2020
Amsterdam / Sydney - 14 October 2019 - Photon Energy Group (WSE: PEN) announces that its subsidiary Photon Energy Engineering Australia will install a hybrid solar and battery storage system on Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, reducing the local community's reliance on diesel-generated power.
A minimum 1.2 MWp solar PV array and a battery system with over 3.2 MWh capacity will soon be built on the World Heritage-listed remote island, located in the Tasman Sea 700km north-east of Sydney.
The integrated solar and storage system, purposely designed for a small and remote location, will provide more than two thirds of Lord Howe Island's electricity, currently powered by diesel generation.
"Photon Energy is proud to have been successful in the Lord Howe Island Board's rigorous tender process and to be given the opportunity to help the island's community not only massively save on diesel and greenhouse gas emissions but also to prevent spills and pollution in a pristine environment," said Michael Gartner, Managing Director of Photon Energy Australia.
Through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, the federal government has provided AUD 4.5 million towards this AUD 11.1 million project, with the NSW government also providing a loan facility of AUD 5.9 million to the Lord Howe Island Board, responsible for care, control and management of the island.
The ground-mounted PV power facility combined with solar battery storage will be integrated with the local microgrid and diesel generators, which currently form the main power source for the island's community.
Construction on the hybrid solar and battery system project will commence early next year and is expected to be completed by June 2020.
ABOUT PHOTON ENERGY
Photon Energy N.V. is a global solar energy solutions and services company covering the entire lifecycle of solar energy systems. Additionally, its subsidiary Photon Water Technology (PWT) focuses on developing and providing water purification, remediation and treatment systems for worldwide deployment. Since its foundation in 2008, Photon Energy has built and commissioned 60 MWp of solar power plants across two continents and 39.2 MWp as part of our own portfolio. Current project development includes a project pipeline of 884 MWp in Australia (out of which 580 MWp in partnership with Canadian Solar) and 35.8 MWp in Hungary, with a target of 75 MWp by 2022. The O&M division provides operations and maintenance services for 250 MWp worldwide. Photon Energy is headquartered in Amsterdam and has offices in Europe and Australia. For more information, please visit www.photonenergy.com.
ABOUT LORD HOWE ISLAND
Lord Howe Island is located in the South Pacific Ocean approximately 700 km north east of Sydney and is part of NSW. The Island is crescent shaped, approximately 11 km long and 3 km wide with a land area of 1,455 hectares. A coral reef 6 km long encloses a lagoon on the Western side. The lower central section of the Island, which supports the settlement area, is located between a northerly range of hills (up to 209 m) and a rugged southern landscape dominated by two spectacular mountains, Mount Lidgbird (777 m) and Mount Gower (875 m). There are approximately 350 residents and tourism is the major industry and source of income on the Island. Approximately 16,000 people visit the Island each year and there are 21 accommodation lodges. Lord Howe Island is well known for its outstanding bushwalking, fishing, diving and surfing and there are a number of very good restaurants catering to both visitors and local residents. The Island is linked by regular passenger air services to Sydney and Brisbane. A ship provides regular cargo services between the Island and Port Macquarie on the NSW north coast.
MEDIA CONTACT
Martin Kysly
PR & Communications Manager
T +420 774 810 670
E martin.kysly@photonenergy.com
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