Client: Sunshift
CTP Scope:
Detailed Electrical and Control System Design
Timeframe:
- Design Phase: Jan 2018 – June 2018
- Construction Phase: June 2018- Oct 2018
- System Commissioning: Oct 2018 – Dec 2018
Project Goals:
To deliver the detailed electrical and control system design to Sunshift for their landmark deployment of the world’s largest modular and movable solar farm at South32’s Cannington Mine.
Project Challenges:
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Identification of suitable performance standards for Inverter Energy Systems within a GPS for a diesel / gas microgrid. Pre-existing materials did not exist and CTP had to chart a new course as the engineers for the existing power station did not have a strong background in IES and intermittent generation resources.
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Integration of control system of a solar farm (which is largely automated and unmanned) into human operator controlled traditional generator control environment. This also required additional administrative controls not normally required for in a solar farm only context.
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Working with certain unique engineering “norms” within a mining context
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Translating solar micro-grid PPA conditions into technical solutions – e.g. how to initiate curtailment of the solar farm
Project Results:
- This deployment “hybridised” EDL’s existing fossil fuel generation plant at the offgrid minesite
- The second largest such PV install in Australia and the first at an existing gas-fired generator