5 September 2012

Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) to build Royalla 1, a 20MW solar power facility

5 September 2012 | johnboy

Gosh! Royalla 1 has a ring to it eh? Simon Corbell has unveiled the winner of the big solar power facility auction:

Mr Corbell announced the outcome of the ACT Government’s fast-track stream of the ACT large-scale solar reverse auction by confirming that Royalla 1 will become the largest solar power facility built in Australia to date.

“This is an important day for Canberra, and I am proud that the ACT Labor Government is delivering on its promise to make Canberra, Australia’s solar capital,” Mr Corbell said.

“This reverse auction process has delivered a solar facility that will produce enough renewable electricity to power approximately 4,400 Canberra homes at a cost of 25c per week per household or $13 per year.

“Importantly, we expect this already low cost to reduce further as the wholesale price of electricity rises, and for the cost per household to reduce to approximately $9.50 per year by 2020,” he said.

With a Feed-in Tariff rate of $186 per megawatt-hour (18.6c/kilowatt-hour), the successful auction proposal submitted by FRV is highly competitive and will result in the ACT hosting the largest solar farm in Australia by 2014.

FRV have a website for peering at.

UPDATE 05/09/12 15:43: Simon Corbell’s office has sent in the above artists’ impression of the plan and Simon Corbell with Rafael Benjumea, CEO of Photowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV).

Also the Greens are very happy:

The ACT Greens have welcomed today’s announcement that Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) has been chosen to build the ACT’s first large scale solar power facility. The plant will be Australia’s largest solar facility upon its completion in 2014.

“This is a great example of the progress that has been made during this term of the Assembly towards Canberra becoming more sustainable,” said Shane Rattenbury, ACT Greens Energy spokesperson.

“With an ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target of 40% reduction by 2020, a feed in tariff for large scale renewables, and energy efficiency legislation, a lot of progress has been made to position Canberra for a low carbon future.

“The reverse auction tariff price of 18.6c/kilowatt-hour also reflects just how quickly the price of solar energy is falling, and that the more we invest in renewable energy, the cheaper it becomes.

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Diggety3:32 pm 19 May 13

I’d put a big question mark over this project now.

rosscoact4:21 pm 12 Sep 12

chewy14 said :

rosscoact said :

Martlark said :

rosscoact said :

I think you’ll find that peak power is summer weekday afternoons in Canberra. By a long shot.

That is when power we buy is the most expensive. By a long shot

It is also when solar is most efficient. By a long shot

As has been shown by some research by the Crimes’ G.Downie; peak solar power production does NOT coincide with peak power consumption, even in summer.

Yep, well I’ll back my research over that of Mr Downie.

Due to the prevalence of air-conditioners, peak loads around Canberra usually occur on the hottest Summer evenings when people get home from work, usually around 6:00pm.

Solar PV systems are most definitely not at their peak performance at this time (if they’re oriented for maximum overall output). Solar PV systems also are are less efficient during hot weather, about 0.5% less efficient per degree over 25 degrees celsius.

Solar PV system use will continue to grow and will be a large part of our total energy capacity in the future but lets not make stuff up.

OK, how about a few facts.

Peak demand in Canberra is about 3pm not 6pm.

Peak cost of electricity is 2pm to 8pm.

The effectiveness of solar in hot weather (they operate at about 60C in summer in Canberra) is also dependant on the technology of the array material used.

Peak output of solar arrays depends on the composition of the panels, the shape and whether or not they are fixed, uni or multi-directional tracking. Which one are you talking about and how did you come to that conclusion?

Which technology and systems will the solar providers be using that has enabled the conclusions that Mr Downie made ?

chewy143:51 pm 12 Sep 12

rosscoact said :

Martlark said :

rosscoact said :

I think you’ll find that peak power is summer weekday afternoons in Canberra. By a long shot.

That is when power we buy is the most expensive. By a long shot

It is also when solar is most efficient. By a long shot

As has been shown by some research by the Crimes’ G.Downie; peak solar power production does NOT coincide with peak power consumption, even in summer.

Yep, well I’ll back my research over that of Mr Downie.

Due to the prevalence of air-conditioners, peak loads around Canberra usually occur on the hottest Summer evenings when people get home from work, usually around 6:00pm.

Solar PV systems are most definitely not at their peak performance at this time (if they’re oriented for maximum overall output). Solar PV systems also are are less efficient during hot weather, about 0.5% less efficient per degree over 25 degrees celsius.

Solar PV system use will continue to grow and will be a large part of our total energy capacity in the future but lets not make stuff up.

rosscoact3:17 pm 12 Sep 12

Martlark said :

rosscoact said :

I think you’ll find that peak power is summer weekday afternoons in Canberra. By a long shot.

That is when power we buy is the most expensive. By a long shot

It is also when solar is most efficient. By a long shot

As has been shown by some research by the Crimes’ G.Downie; peak solar power production does NOT coincide with peak power consumption, even in summer.

Yep, well I’ll back my research over that of Mr Downie.

Martlark2:58 pm 12 Sep 12

rosscoact said :

I think you’ll find that peak power is summer weekday afternoons in Canberra. By a long shot.

That is when power we buy is the most expensive. By a long shot

It is also when solar is most efficient. By a long shot

As has been shown by some research by the Crimes’ G.Downie; peak solar power production does NOT coincide with peak power consumption, even in summer.

rosscoact12:51 pm 07 Sep 12

I think you’ll find that peak power is summer weekday afternoons in Canberra. By a long shot.

That is when power we buy is the most expensive. By a long shot

It is also when solar is most efficient. By a long shot

MERC60012:40 pm 07 Sep 12

switch said :

Paul0075 said :

According to the 2006 census stats, there is 112818 dwellings in the ACT. To give you an idea of what this will power, it’s just under half of all dwellings in Weston Creek according the census figures. See page 6: http://is.gd/1VuHdQ

Provided you only want to be powered for 5 hours a day.

37GWh/20MW/365=5.068 hours per day of output.

Spot on Switch . When the sun slides behind the Brinndys, the call goes into Hazlewood; shovel a bit more coal on boys; gunna be minus 7 here tonight, or whatever.

switch10:05 pm 06 Sep 12

Paul0075 said :

According to the 2006 census stats, there is 112818 dwellings in the ACT. To give you an idea of what this will power, it’s just under half of all dwellings in Weston Creek according the census figures. See page 6: http://is.gd/1VuHdQ

Provided you only want to be powered for 5 hours a day.

37GWh/20MW/365=5.068 hours per day of output.

HenryBG1:50 pm 06 Sep 12

Postalgeek said :

roccon said :

this stuff should be going onto roof spaces in the cbd and industrial areas, not farmland. stupid stuff if you ask me.

I agree that the preservation of agricultural land is essential, given the impending perfect storm of global population growth, peak oil and biofuels, and unpredictable climate changes.

However, there is the potential for solar and sheep graziers to have a symbiotic relationship, with solar panels providing some shade for vegetation and stock as well as auxiliary income for farmers in droughts, while the stock keep the grass down around panels, reducing the risk and impact of grassfires. Cattle don’t work because they are more capable of damaging panels and infrastructure.

I was worried about the loss of what is semi-decent agricultural land, but you have reassured me to some extent.

It’s about time we spent a decent amount of money on generating power from the huge amount of *free* and *nonpolluting* resources that surround us.

Paul00751:30 pm 06 Sep 12

Chop71 said :

2. This warm fuzzy plant supplies a very very small % of Canberra power needs. Rather than the spin of 4,000+ homes what % of total power is it? Someone please correct me but I can’t see how this is a “Big Delivery”

.

According to the 2006 census stats, there is 112818 dwellings in the ACT. To give you an idea of what this will power, it’s just under half of all dwellings in Weston Creek according the census figures. See page 6: http://is.gd/1VuHdQ

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