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* [[Conroys Gap Wind Farm]], 30MW
* [[Conroys Gap Wind Farm]], 30MW
* [[Snowy Plains Wind Farm]], 30MW
* [[Snowy Plains Wind Farm]], 30MW

===Meridian Energy===

[[Meridian Energy]] is the largest electricity generator in [[New Zealand]] and has in recent years expanded into Australia. It uses only [[renewable energy]] generation sources, and its Australian operations are currently focused on [[windpower]]. Projects completed or currently being developed include:

* [[Macarthur Wind Farm]], 140 wind turbines, 420MW
* [[Mount Mercer Wind Farm]], 64 wind turbines, 131MW
* [[Mount Millar Wind Farm]], 35 wind turbines, 70MW


===Pacific Hydro===
===Pacific Hydro===

Revision as of 05:59, 11 February 2011

Wind power in Australia is a proven and reliable technology that can be and is readily deployed.[1] At the close of 2009, there were about 33 wind farms in Australia, most of which have turbines of from 1.5 to 3 megawatts (MW). The total operating wind generating capacity at the end of 2009 was 1877 MW providing 1.3% of Australia's national electricity demand. South Australia has more than half of the nation's wind power capacity,[1] whilst Victoria also has a sizeable system, with large proposals for expansion.

Overview

International comparisons

Australia's total wind generation capacity is 1.877 GW (end of 2009). By comparison Germany has 22 GW, US 16 GW, Spain 15 GW, India 8 GW and China 6 GW[2]. While Australia produces about 1.3% of its electricity from wind power, it accounts for approximately 19% of electricity production in Denmark, 9% in Spain and Portugal, and 6% in Germany and the Republic of Ireland (2007 data)

Environmental importance

The Garnaut Climate Change Review, the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and the Mandatory Renewable energy Target announced by the Australian Government involve a reduction in Australian greenhouse gas emissions. Australia is the highest emitter of greenhouse gases per capita in the developed world[3][4] and wind power is well placed to grow and deliver greenhouse gas emission cuts on a cost competitive basis. A typical 50-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Australia can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 65,000 and 115,000 tonnes a year.[5]

Wind resources

The information centre near the base of one of the towers at Wattle Point Wind Farm

Australia has excellent wind resources by world standards[6]. The southern coastline lies in the roaring forties and hundreds of sites have average wind speeds above 8 or even 9 m/s at 50 m above ground (the hub height of a modern wind generator). The southwest of Western Australia, southern South Australia, western Victoria, northern Tasmania and elevated areas of New South Wales and Queensland have good wind resources. Several states engaged in systematic wind speed monitoring in the 1980s and 1990s, the results of which are publicly available.[7] Australian wind farms produce on average capacity factors of 30–35%, making wind an attractive option.[8] However, the modelling of how wind generating capacity correlates with electricity demand in terms of daily, seasonal and year-to-year patterns of both, has yet to be conducted.

As of April 2008, Australia had installed electricity generation capacity from wind power of approximately 1125 MW[9] and nationally wind farms contributed just over 1% of total electricity production. In the state of South Australia, this figure is about 15%.[10]

Wind farms

As of late 2009, there were about 33 wind farms operating in Australia. Some of the largest wind farms in Australia are:

  1. Lake Bonney Wind Farm (SA) – 239.5 MW
  2. Portland Wind Project (Vic) – 195 MW
  3. Waubra Wind Farm (Vic) – 192 MW
  4. Hallett Wind Farms (SA) – 165.9 MW
  5. Woolnorth Wind Farm (Tas) - 140 MW
  6. Snowtown wind farm (SA) – 99 MW
  7. Wattle Point (SA) – 90.75 MW
  8. Alinta/Walkaway (WA) – 90 MW
  9. Emu Downs Wind Farm (WA) – 80 MW
  10. Mount Millar Wind Farm (SA) – 70 MW

Australia's first commercial wind farm, Salmon Beach Wind Farm near Esperance in Western Australia operated for 15 years from 1987, but was decommissioned due to urban encroachment; it has been replaced by Ten Mile Lagoon Wind Farm and Nine Mile Beach Wind Farm. In August 2009, The Age newspaper reported that the first of three new large-scale wind farming projects to offset Australia's power-hungry desalination plants would be going ahead.[11]

Wind power by State

For a full listing of all the wind farms in Australia, please see List of wind farms in Australia, and the relevant state articles:

Installed and proposed capacity by state

# State /

Territory

Wind Power Capacity[12] Proposed Projects' Publicly Announced Status[13] (MW)
Installed MW Proposed

MW

Feasibility Seeking

Approval

Planning

Approved

Under

Tender

Under

Construction

Abandoned

or Suspended

Off Grid On Grid Total
1
SA
 0.160 739 739.16 1,986 890.00 — 724.9 — 254 117
2
WA
 8.635 196 204.635 243 99.20 2.0 141.6 — — —
3
Vic
 — 376 376 2,632 845.50 274.5 1368.6 165 192 120
4
Tas
 2.530 142 144.530 555 190.00 — 130.0 — 75 160
5
NSW
 — 16.62 17 33.62 525.30 268.6 1315.0 — — 80
6
Qld
 0.450 12.00 12.45 176 52.02 — 624.0 — — —
7
AAT
 0.600 — 0.600 0.3 — — 0.3 — — —
8
NT
 0.080 — 0.080 — — — — — — —
9
ACT
 — — — — — — — — — —
Australia 12.455 1481.62 1494.455 6,785 2602.02 545.1 4304.4 165 521 477

Wind turbine efficiency

Typical wind power coefficient

The efficiency of a wind turbine is defined as the proportion of electrical energy that is derived from the kinetic energy loss in the prevailing wind due to the presence of the turbine. In theory, a 100% efficiency would imply that all of the wind energy that is lost between the windward and leeward side, is converted to electrical energy. In practice, this not achievable due to losses such as mechanical, heat, sound and aerodynamic losses (such as turbulent patches and vortices in the flow structure). The maximum theoretical mechanical efficiency of 59% is known as the Betz limit.[14]

The horizontal axis turbines of the type commonly used in Australia exhibit varying efficiencies levels at different wind speeds. The maximum efficiency can approach 50%, but the average efficiency over a range of wind speeds is usually closer to 20% in Europe and has a range of between 30 and 40% in Australia.[15][16] Turbines are usually optimised to enable maximum efficiency at a pre-determined wind speed in order to maximise the maximum energy over a long period. This needs to take into account that the available power is proportional to the cube of the wind speed – in other words, a doubling a wind speed increases the available energy eightfold.

Competitiveness of wind power

Making comparisons between wind and other sources of energy can be difficult because of the cost profiles associated with wind developments. The vast majority of the costs associated with wind developments are upfront capital costs. The operating costs are relatively low, with each additional unit of wind power costing very little to produce. By comparison, conventional gas and coal developments have large capital costs, as well as significant operating costs. The difference in cost profiles creates difficulties when trying to compare the cost of alternative energy sources.[17]

Despite these complexities, most of the data indicate that wind energy is one of the most cost efficient sources of renewable energy and that when the costs associated with pollution are factored in it is competitive with coal- and gas-fired power stations.[17]

Environmental impact

Wind power is one of the most environmentally friendly sources of renewable energy

Australia is the fifth highest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases with 25.8 tonne CO2-e per person annually, ranking first of the industrialized countries, and ranks sixteenth of all countries in total country emissions with 495 Mt CO2-e per annum [18]. It is one of the major exporters of coal, the burning of which releases CO2 into the atmosphere. It is also one of the countries most at risk from climate change according to the Stern report. This is partially because of the size of its agriculture sector and long coastline.

A wind farm, when installed on agricultural land, has one of the lowest environmental impacts of all energy sources:[19]

  • It occupies less land area per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated than any other energy conversion system, apart from rooftop solar energy, and is compatible with grazing and crops.
  • It generates the energy used in its construction in just 3 months of operation, yet its operational lifetime is 20–25 years.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution produced by its construction are small and declining. There is very little emission or pollution produced by its operation.
  • In substituting for base-load (mostly coal power) in mainland Australia, wind power produces a net decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
  • Modern wind turbines are almost silent and rotate so slowly (in terms of revolutions per minute) that they are rarely a hazard to birds.[19]

Landscape and heritage issues may be a significant issue for certain wind farms,however these are minimal when compared with the Environmental effects of coal. However, when appropriate planning procedures are followed, the heritage and landscape risks should be minimal. Some people may still object to wind farms, perhaps on the grounds of aesthetics, but their concerns should be weighed against the need to address the threats posed by climate change and the opinions of the broader community.[17]

Overseas experience has shown that community consultation and direct involvement of the general public in wind farm projects has helped to increase community approval.[20] Some wind farms become tourist attractions.[21]

Politics of wind power

From 2001 to early 2006, the main driving force for the establishment of wind farms in Australia was the Government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET).[22][23] However, by mid-2006, sufficient renewable energy had been installed or was under construction to meet the small MRET target for 2010. Also, in 2006, several Federal Government Ministers spoke out against a number of wind farm proposals.[23]

Dr Mark Diesendorf has suggested that the Australian Government has tried to stop the development of wind power, the lowest-cost, new, renewable electricity source, until such time as coal-fired power stations with CO2 capture and sequestration and possibly nuclear power stations are available. However, "clean coal" technologies may not be commercially available for at least 20 years. Furthermore, to bring down the high cost of nuclear power to a level where it could compete with wind power would require a new generation of nuclear power stations that is still on the drawing board, which could take at least 15 years.[23]

In November 2007 the Rudd (Labor) government was elected in Australia, replacing the Howard (Liberal/National Coalition) government. The new government ratified Australia's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, promised a target of 20% renewable power by 2020 and to do more to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, several new wind power projects have been proposed in anticipation of an expanded MRET.

Major wind power companies

Epuron

Epuron specialises in electricity generation using renewable energy. Its focus is on windpower development in NSW, with major projects developed by Epuron including:

Meridian Energy

Meridian Energy is the largest electricity generator in New Zealand and has in recent years expanded into Australia. It uses only renewable energy generation sources, and its Australian operations are currently focused on windpower. Projects completed or currently being developed include:

Pacific Hydro

Pacific Hydro is an Australian company that specialises in electricity generation using renewable energy. Its focus is on hydroelectricity and windpower. Wind power stations owned by Pacific Hydro include:

Roaring 40s

Roaring 40s is based in Tasmania and has two wind farms operating in Australia: Woolnorth Wind Farm in Tasmania and Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm in South Australia. It is currently (as of December 2009) constructing the 117MW Waterloo Wind Farm in the Mid North of South Australia.

Suzlon

Suzlon Energy Australia Pty. Ltd. (SEA), is based in Melbourne, and is a subsidiary of Suzlon Energy A/S of Aarhus, Denmark.[citation needed] Suzlon will install 45 units of its S88 – 2.1 megawatt wind turbines for AGL at the Hallett Wind Farm to be located on the Brown Hill Range, which is situated approximately 220 kilometers north of Adelaide.[24]

TrustPower

TrustPower is a renewable electricity generating company operating in Australia and New Zealand. Wind farms in Australia include Snowtown and the proposed Myponga, both in South Australia.

Wind Prospect

Wind Prospect undertakes all aspects of wind energy development, including design, construction, operation and commercial services, with offices in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and China. With over 18 years of successful development within the industry, the Wind Prospect Group has been involved in over 2,500MW of approved wind farms, including onshore and offshore projects, in terms of development, construction, operations and commercial services, and has a further 4000MW in the early phase of development. The company’s civil, electrical and mechanical engineers have been involved in the commissioning of over 50 wind farms around the world.

Wind Prospect’s development offices in Australia are in Adelaide, Newcastle, Brisbane and Melbourne. Wind Prospect Pty Ltd (WPPL) is the most successful developer in Australia, having achieved planning approval for 10 wind farms totalling over 860 MW, of which 565MW is operating or under construction.

Two recent successes in South Australia are the North Brown Hill Wind Farm (132.3MW) and The Bluff Range Wind Farm (52.1MW), both approximately 270km north east of Adelaide, which are Wind Prospect’s sixth and seventh wind farm developments respectively to progress to construction in South Australia. More projects in this region have received planning approval and are expected to proceed to construction.

Wind Farm Turbines Capacity MW Status
Hallett Wind Farm 45 94.5 Operating
Snowtown (Stage 1) 47 98.7 Operating
Canunda Wind Farm 23 46 Operating
Mount Millar Wind Farm 35 70 Operating
Hallett II (Hallett Hill) 34 71.4 Operating
Hallett IV (North Brown Hill) 63 132.3 Under Construction
Hallett V (The Bluff Range) 25 52.5 Under Construction
Snowtown (Stage 2) 83 166 Approved, awaiting construction
Willogoleche Hill 26 52 Approved, awaiting construction
Troubridge Point 15 30 Approved
Green Point 18 54 Approved
Totals 414 864.9

Windlab

Windlab Systems is an Australian company with operations in the USA, Canada and South Africa. It was established in 2003 as a CSIRO spin-off. The company uses self developed technologies, Windscape which is based on CSIRO’s atmospheric modelling technology and advanced wind monitoring tools, to undertake a program of site identification, site validation and wind farm development. Approximately 1500 megawatts of projects in Australia have used Windlab intellectual property for site identification purposes. The company co-developed the Oakland's Hill (67MW) wind farm and the Collgar wind farm (206MW). Windlab has since become a full wind farm developer and takes projects to the point of construction.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b International Energy Agency (2009).IEA Wind Energy: Annual Report 2008 pp. 79-82.
  2. ^ Wind power
  3. ^ Global Warming: The Facts
  4. ^ Australia tops greenhouse pollution index
  5. ^ National code for wind farms
  6. ^ Wind Atlas for Australia 2008
  7. ^ A.W. Blakers,. "Solar and Wind Electricity in Australia" (PDF). Australian Journal of Environmental Management, Vol 7, pp. 223–36, 2000. Archived from the original (pdf) on 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-03-23.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  8. ^ National code for wind farms: A discussion paper
  9. ^ Wind in the Bush, Wind power and wind farms in Australia
  10. ^ National code for wind farms: A discussion paper, page 7
  11. ^ Morton, Adam (2009-08-01). "A glimpse of the future for Victoria's hilltops". The Age. pp. 1, 6. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  12. ^ Wind Energy Projects in Australia – State Breakdown
  13. ^ Wind Energy Projects in Australia – Proposed Projects
  14. ^ "Wind Energy Manual". Iowa Energy Center. Archived from the original on 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  15. ^ "Power Coefficient". Danish Wind Industry Association. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  16. ^ "Wind Energy: The myths and facts" (PDF). Sustainability Victoria. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  17. ^ a b c The Australia Institute (2006).Wind Farms The facts and the fallacies Discussion Paper Number 91, October, ISSN 1322-5421
  18. ^ World Resources Institute
  19. ^ a b Why Australia needs wind power
  20. ^ The world's leader in Wind Power
  21. ^ Ten Mile Lagoon Wind Farm
  22. ^ Lovegrove, Keith. Election 2004: The Government’s non policy on energy Australian Review of Public Affairs, 10 September 2004.
  23. ^ a b c Diesendorf, Mark (2007). Greenhouse Solutions with Sustainable Energy, UNSW Press, p. 107.
  24. ^ Suzlon enters Australian market
  25. ^ http://www.windlab.com/projects/australia

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wind power in Australia.


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