Researchers from the CSIRO and Macquarie University are utilizing satellite-based remote sensing and AI to balance fire risk and insurance demands with livestock grazing at one of the largest operating solar farms in Australia.
CSIRO and Macquarie University have teamed with the Australian arm of Philippines-based energy company Acen Corp to bring new precision to vegetation management, fire preparedness and daily operations at Acen’s New England Solar Farm site in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
The New England facility is a 720 MW solar and battery project being built in stages across a 2,000-hectare site of mostly cleared grazing land near Uralla in northern NSW. The 400 MW first stage commenced operations in 2023 while the construction schedule for the 320 MW second stage is expected to be announced soon.
A 200 MW / 400 MWh battery energy storage system has also been built on site and is now undergoing final testings and commissioning.
The site is also home to more than 6,000 sheep that are grazing beneath the panels.
