The first stage of the $46 million King Island Renewable Energy Integration Project (KIREIP) was officially opened on Friday.
King Island is located in Bass Strait, approximately halfway between mainland Australia and the north-west Tasmanian mainland. The Island is home to fewer than 2,000 people.
KIREIP’s goal is to increase renewable energy generation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It aims to provide over 65 per cent of the island’s annual energy demand and when favourable conditions prevail, 100 per cent.
A combination of technologies are being used to achieve this; including solar power, wind energy, biodiesel, various forms of energy storage and a smart grid.
“The unique part of this system is the integration of technologies. Although the renewable generation sources such as wind, solar and bio-diesel are mature, the enabling and storage technologies are new and emerging,” said Hydro Tasmania Chairman Dr David Crean.
“The way these technologies are being used and integrated is world-leading and another example of the clever solutions to real-world problems that have been developed in Tasmania and can be exported globally.”
Due for completion by mid 2013, KIREIP is a Hydro Tasmania project constructed with Renewable Energy Demonstration Program assistance and support from the Tasmanian Government. Elements yet to be completed include the integration of Australia’s largest battery system, deployment of a dynamic demand-response system and expansion of the wind farm.
Hydro Tasmania’s CEO Roy Adair said the investment in renewables had reduced the operational costs of the Bass Strait island system.
“…this is the first remote system on this scale capable of supplying the energy needs of an entire community primarily through wind and solar energy.”
To date, fuel use has been reduced by 45%; from 4.5 million litres to around 2.6 million litres annually.
Hydro Tasmania will export its system to utility and mining customers in Australia, the Pacific and South East Asia.
