Hatch conducts hybrid wind-diesel power station study in Australia
Tectonic Resources has retained Hatch to conduct a FEL2 prefeasibility study to determine the preferred hybrid power station solution for the proposed Phillips River mine in Western Australia.
The proposed Phillips River gold and base metals mine, located 20 km southeast of Ravensthorpe, is in a remote location and is not connected to the electrical grid. The mine would be the first gold mine in Australia to incorporate wind generation into a diesel-power station to reduce diesel fuel consumption.
The wind farm prefeasibility study objectives are to:
- Determine how much power can be generated from wind
- Determine the fuel savings that can be achieved
- Understand the capital and operating cost structure to develop a business case
A hybrid power station is a capital-intensive solution. Both a diesel and a wind power station will be built, since wind is a variable resource and the mine requires constant power.
Hatch completed the FEL1 conceptual study for the hybrid power station in November 2009. The FEL1 study concluded that wind energy could indeed be utilized at the Phillips River site. Also, the higher initial capital required for the wind turbines would be offset by the fuel savings, as well as the reduction of greenhouse gases and operating costs.
The study is being managed from the Hatch Perth office, with team members from both the Perth and Calgary offices.
This is Hatch's first wind project in Australia.
- posted March 8, 2010
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