AGL Energy (AGL), in partnership with RRG Capital Management (RRG), will deliver a microgrid renewable system for Koompartu Farms in South Australia’s Riverland region.
The project is expected to be one of the largest privately owned non-mining microgrids in Australia, spanning 15ha and highlighting how AGL is supporting agribusinesses to be part of the energy transition.
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Once complete, this microgrid will include a 9.2MWh solar PV single-axis tracking array with more than 15,600 solar panels, a 10.2MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) made up of four 2.55MWh units, 16 diesel backup generators, and 19km of underground high-voltage power lines.
AGL general manager of sustainable business energy solutions Brendan Weinart said the Koompartu microgrid demonstrated how large-scale energy solutions can support the changing needs of Australian agribusiness.
“RRG is making a significant investment in more sustainable infrastructure, and we’re proud to be delivering an energy solution that supports Koompartu’s operations now and into the future,” Weinart said.
“This is a first-of-its-kind project and has been designed to improve local grid capacity and provide the reliability needed to keep critical irrigation systems operating.
“With diesel genset usage expected to fall by 88%, the project shows the role tailored microgrid solutions can play in helping businesses reduce emissions and improve resilience.”
The scale of the microgrid is such that it is predicted to generate enough energy to match the needs of households in a small town like Berri, which has around 3,000 residents, while being used to support a more resilient energy supply for Koompartu Farms’ operations.
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AGL has delivered this under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement, with AGL building, owning, operating and maintaining the assets and supplying power to RRG, so Koompartu can stay focused on production.
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