Big three Australian utility AGL Energy is building a solar and battery-based microgrid that will supply the majority of power for one of Australia’s largest almond orchards, Koompartu Farms, in the Riverland region of South Australia.
The microgrid, announced this week, will combine of a 9.2 megawatt (MW) solar PV single-axis tracking array made up of more than 15,600 solar panels, and a 10.2 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery consisting of four 2.55 MWh units. The microgrid will also have 16 diesel backup generators, and 19 km of underground high voltage power lines.
AGL says the project, which is being delivered in partnership with RRG Capital Management, will be one of the largest privately owned non-mining microgrids in Australia.
Once completed, the microgrid is expected to generate electricity equivalent to the needs of around 3,000 households, or around 85 per cent of Koompartu Farms’ current power requirements.
AGL will not only deliver the microgrid, but under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) will build, own, operate, and maintain the assets, while supplying the power to Koompartu Farms.
