An agrovoltaic system integrated with energy storage will be built in Australia
In Australia, near Bungendore in New South Wales, a team of local farmers is working on a remarkable project. They’re creating a solar power plant that covers a vast area, generating 350 megawatts of electricity from the sun. What makes it even more impressive is that they’re combining this solar setup with farmland, allowing crops to grow underneath the solar panels. To make the most of the energy they generate, they’re also setting up large energy storage systems with a capacity of 300 megawatts. This innovative project is all thanks to the initiative of these local farmers who are embracing both sustainable energy and agriculture.
Octopus Australia, in collaboration with the national Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), will be making the investment for this exciting project. Recently, they received the green light from the New South Wales Office of the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to proceed with their plans. This means they can move forward with building the agrovoltaic installation, which combines solar power generation with farming, in the Bungendore area of New South Wales. It’s a significant step towards cleaner and more sustainable energy for the region.
Continuation of agricultural traditions
The farmers involved in this renewable energy initiative are not only focused on clean energy but also on preserving their agricultural heritage. They aim to integrate sheep farming with the solar project by utilizing the space beneath the solar panels for lamb grazing. This innovative approach allows them to maintain their farming traditions while generating solar power. To ensure practicality, the installation’s support structure will be designed to accommodate tractors moving across the pastures freely. Additionally, the project partners are committed to benefiting the local community by establishing an annual Community Benefit Sharing Scheme (CBSS) worth AU$330 per MW, contributing to the well-being of the area.
Strategic location
The upcoming agrovoltaic system will link up to the transmission network using the existing 330 kV line, which connects key areas involved in electricity consumption and generation. This includes major centers like Sydney, Canberra, and the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Power Station. The project’s positive impact on the region spans multiple aspects. Beyond the evident benefits of lowering emissions and decreasing reliance on coal and gas, it also brings about the establishment of new job opportunities and enhances the local economy’s variety and resilience.
Australia is one of the leaders of RES
Lately, we’ve been covering a slew of dynamic efforts undertaken by the Australian government. These ventures encompass diverse areas like agrovoltaics and energy storage.
For more on Australian scientists’ agroPV research, check it out HERE, while details on energy storage investments are available in the articles ?Another energy storage system in place of a decommissioned coal power plant. This time in Australia? and ‘Australia’s largest energy storage facility is under construction’.