Westside was selected as the successful tenderer to design, permit, install and commission a hybrid energy system for the Beerenberg facility located in the Adelaide Hills. Responding to the Request for Proposal, Westside proposed a hybrid solution to meet the operating requirements of Beerenberg while also assisting them apply and secure funding support through Government grants.
Westside’s installation includes upgrading the existing distribution board, installing new distribution boards, installing control systems to execute the operating philosophy and setting up communications with the South Australian Power Networks managed electrical grid to manage import and export restrictions.
Westside’s experience in working at operating industrial facilities similar to that at Beerenberg has meant that the installation of panels and electrical systems has been performed with little disruption to Beerenberg’s activities. Westside is exceptionally well suited to this type of work and our ability to coordinate activities including crane lifts has contributed to the success of this project.
Since late 2018, Westside has installed over 1 MW of solar PV systems at 36 Discovery Holiday Parks’ sites in five states (SA, WA, NSW, Tas and Vic). Westside was the successful tenderer to design, install and commission the solar PV systems and we are currently working with Discovery Parks and their consultants to determine the business cases to support future energy system concepts (including storage, backup power and other generation forms).
Typically, the system capacity ranges between 30 kW and 100 kW. Westside has worked with Discovery Parks and their consultant to optimize the size of the system to maximize the return on investment and meet with the varying regulatory requirements over the 5 different states.
Westside has successfully coordinated the procurement of materials, transport and installations at remote regional sites including regional Western Australia. The success of this project so far is a testament to Westside’s ability to manage a portfolio project and ensure that the client’s needs are met for each and every installation. By forging a close working relationship with Discovery Parks and their consultants, Westside has been able to assist in determining which systems should be installed and when to maximise the return to Discovery Parks.
In 2018, Westside designed, installed and commissioned hybrid energy systems for three pubs in the Adelaide metropolitan area. Each system consists of a roof-mounted solar PV system, diesel generator and grid connection.
As a first for the South Australian Power Network, the hybrid systems allow synchronized generation of all three components meaning that power can be provided by the solar PV system, grid and diesel generator all at one time. This means that all sources can be generating at once.
The Hybrid System
The hybrid system offers energy costs savings by:
Further, having the option of using the diesel generator when and as required, allows the following:
Not only have the systems provided backup/emergency power for when outages occur and enable the proprietor to continue business while other establishments are closed, there have been significant savings. In the first quarter of 2020, energy costs have been reduced by about 15% due to the use of solar and the reduction in peak demand charges. Another 20% savings have been realized through purchasing power on the spot market and using the generator when spot prices are high.
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