A report that provides a summary of the technological feasibility of solar thermal power generation, including hybridised and standalone options, for Port Augusta.
Report extract
Alinta Energy owns and operates Northern Power Station 1 and 2, and Playford B Power Station located at Port Augusta and collectively referred to as the Augusta Power Stations.
- The Northern Power Station 1 and 2 are 272MW unitised coal fired boilers, commissioned in 1986 with an emissions intensity of approximately 1.1tCO2/MWh.
- The Playford B Power Station is comprised of 6 x 40MW range boilers and 4 x 60MW range steam turbines with a maximum capacity of 240MW and an emission intensity of approximately 1.5tCO2/MWh.
The Augusta Power Stations are base load thermal coal generation supplied from the Leigh Creek coal mine. The coal is shipped via rail line on a daily basis.
In light of climate change policies and the growth in renewable energy investment opportunities, Alinta Energy undertook a Solar Concept Study to assess the viability of solar generation in Port Augusta and Leigh Creek. The Solar Concept Study made a number of clear conclusions.
- South Australia is a high quality location for solar thermal.
- Leigh Creek and Port Augusta sites have been identified with sufficient solar resource.
- Stand-alone concentrated solar power based on parabolic trough, linear Fresnel and power tower are all feasible.
- Potential for hybrid configurations at Northern Power Station and possible use of Playford facility/components.
- Thermal storage should be considered and incorporated into final designs so the plants are “dispatchable”.
- Solar thermal matches South Australian generation profile and provides a balance to significant wind resources in the region.
Following assessment of the Solar Concept Study Alinta Energy concluded further analysis of potential solar investment in the region was justified and approached the Commonwealth and State Governments to seek co-funding of a full feasibility study.