- Photon Energy has commissioned a hybrid solar PV and Tesla Powerwell BESS system for Australia’s Lord Howe Island
- It has been operational for more than 6 months now, reducing the requirement for diesel generated power
- Total cost of the project was AUD 11.1 million, out of which ARENA supported it with AUD 4.5 million
A world heritage site under the UNESCO, Lord Howe Island in Australia has been generating and consuming renewable energy from a hybrid solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) for more than 6 months now. The performance of the system during this period, according to the project’s EPC company Photon Energy, demonstrates the reliability of solar PV technology.
The facility is made up of a 1.3 MW solar PV array with 3,240 modules, combined with a 3.7 MWh Tesla Powerpack battery energy storage system (BESS). It is especially designed for a remote location. Power generated is integrated with the local microgrid and diesel generators. The Tesla Powerpack is controlled by a Tesla Microgrid Controller.
Set up by Photon Energy Engineering Australia Pty Ltd., the facility was able to operate for stretches of up to 5 consecutive days and nights in August 2021 ‘without any diesel-generated power’ required.
It is designed to cover more than 2/3rd of the island’s electricity needs, thereby reducing its reliance on fossil fuel, namely diesel that formed its main power source till now.
“We are reducing the environmental impact of our energy supply while also improving energy security. Achieving this without detracting from the World Heritage values of Lord Howe Island is a result that everyone should celebrate,” said Mick Pettitt, Acting CEO of the Lord Howe Island Board.
The AUD 11.1 million ($8 million) project is supported by AUD 4.5 million ($3.26 million) funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Back then the agency had said results of this project will help design such systems for other isolated and remote communities in Australia (see ARENA Funds Solar+Gas Hybrid Project For Iron Ore Mines).
