Wind power in Australia: Difference between revisions
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'''Wind power in Australia''' is clean and renewable and a typical [[wind turbine]] can meet the energy needs of up to 1000 homes. The technology is proven, fast to build and economical compared with other [[renewable energy]] technologies.[http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/publications/pubs/wind-discussionpaper.pdf] |
'''Wind power in Australia''' is clean and renewable and a typical [[wind turbine]] can meet the energy needs of up to 1000 homes. The technology is proven, fast to build and economical compared with other [[renewable energy]] technologies.[http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/publications/pubs/wind-discussionpaper.pdf] |
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[[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.[http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/publications/pubs/wind-discussionpaper.pdf] |
Australia is the highest emitter of [[greenhouse gases]] per capita in the developed world.<ref> http://www.cana.net.au/index.php?site_var=337</ref> <ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/18/1087245110190.html Australia tops greenhouse pollution index]</ref> 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. [http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/publications/pubs/wind-discussionpaper.pdf] |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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Revision as of 11:48, 15 April 2007
Wind power in Australia is clean and renewable and a typical wind turbine can meet the energy needs of up to 1000 homes. The technology is proven, fast to build and economical compared with other renewable energy technologies.[1]
Australia is the highest emitter of greenhouse gases per capita in the developed world.[1] [2] 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. [2]
Overview
Australia has excellent wind resources by world standards. The southern coastline lies in the roaring forties and hundreds of sites have average wind speeds above 8 or even 9 m/sec at 50 m above ground (hub height of a modern wind generator). Southwest Western Australia, southeast South Australia, western Victoria, northern Tasmania and elevated areas of New South Wales and Queensland all have very good wind resources. Several states engaged in systematic wind speed monitoring in the 1980s and 1990s, the results of which are publicly available.[3]
At the end of 2006, Australia had installed electricity generation capacity from wind power of 817 MW[4] and nationally wind farms contributed about 1% of total electricity production. In the state of South Australia, this figure was much higher at 9.2% (2005). Australian wind farms produce on average capacity factors of 30-35%, making wind an attractive option in the country.[3]
Some of the largest wind farms in Australia are:
- Wattle Point (SA) - 90.75MW
- Alinta/Walkaway (WA) - 90MW
- Lake Bonney Stage 1 (SA) - 80.5MW
- Cathedral Rocks (SA) - 66MW
Installed and proposed capacity by state
The installed and proposed wind generating capacity in Australia by state and territory is:[4]
State | Installed Wind Capacity (MW) | Proposed Wind Generating Capacity (MW) |
---|---|---|
NSW | 17 | 1,193 |
Vic | 134 | 2,010 |
Qld | 12 | 176 |
SA | 388 | 1,986 |
WA | 199 | 243 |
Tas | 67 | 555 |
ACT | 0 | 0 |
NT | 0 | 0 |
Australia | 817 | 6,163 |
Wind Farm projects and status by state
New South Wales
State | Project Name | Sponsoring Company |
Coordinates | Capacity | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NSW | Kooragang Island, Newcastle | Energy Australia | 32°52′38.94″S 151°44′54.95″E / 32.8774833°S 151.7485972°E | 0.6 MW | Installed | |
NSW | Crookwell | Eraring Energy | 4.8 MW | Installed | ||
NSW | Blayney Wind Farm | Eraring Energy | 9.9 MW | Installed | ||
NSW | Hampton Wind Park | Wind Corporation Australia | 1.32 MW | Installed | ||
NSW | Black Springs | Wind Corporation | 40 MW | Feasibility | ||
NSW | Cooma | Pacific Hydro | 100 MW | Feasibility | ||
NSW | Crookwell II | TME/ Gamesa | 92 MW | Planning Approved | ||
NSW | Southern Highlands | ANZ Infrastructure Services | 30 MW | Project Suspended | ||
NSW | Lord Howe Island | 0.3 MW | Feasibility | |||
NSW | Spring Hill | ACTEW AGL | 10 MW | Feasibility | ||
NSW | Murrurundi | GHG & GREP | 35 MW | Feasibility | ||
NSW | Rock Flat Creek | Pacific Hydro | 100 MW | Feasibility | ||
NSW | Woodlawn / Tarago | Collex/ Acciona Energy/ ActewAGL/ ANZ Inf.Services | 50 MW | Project Suspended | ||
NSW | Molonglo | Acciona Energy | 120 MW | Feasibility | ||
NSW | Snowy Plains (Berridale) | Taurus Energy Pty Ltd | 26 MW | Planning Approved | ||
NSW | Taralga | RES Southern Cross | 105 MW | Planning Approved | ||
NSW | Gunning | Delta Energy | 62 MW | Planning Approved | ||
NSW | Ben Lomond Guyla | Energreen Winds | 106 MW | Seeking Approval | ||
NSW | Liverpool Range | Macquarie Generation | 6.6 MW | Seeking Approval | ||
NSW | Paling Yards | Gamesa/TME | 90 MW | Feasibility | ||
NSW | Conroys Gap Yass | Taurus Energy | 30 MW | Seeking Approval | ||
NSW | Cullerin Range Gunning | Taurus Energy | 30 MW | Seeking Approval | ||
NSW | Evandale Goulburn | Taurus Energy | 30 MW | Project Suspended | ||
NSW | Capital Bungendore | Renewable Power Ventures | 126 MW | Seeking Approval | ||
NSW | Bannister | Marubeni Corporation | 30 MW | Proposed | ||
NSW | Crookwell Wind Farm | ANZ Infrastructure Services Ltd | 30 MW | Proposed | ||
NSW | Goulburn District | ActewAGL | 10 MW | Proposed | ||
NSW | Gurrundah | Marubeni Corporation | 35 MW | Proposed | ||
NSW | Mount Spring | ActewAGL | 10 MW | Proposed |
Victoria
State | Project Name | Sponsoring Company |
Coordinates | Capacity | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vic | Breamlea | Barwon Water | 60kW | Installed | ||
Vic | Aurora(Brunswick) | Citipower | 10kW | Installed | ||
Vic | Codrington Wind Farm | Pacific Hydro | 18.2MW | Installed | ||
Vic | Toora | Stanwell | 1.75MW | Installed | ||
Vic | Challicum Hills Wind Farm | Pacific Hydro | 1.5MW | Installed | ||
Vic | Wonthaggi Wind Farm | Wind Power Pty Ltd | 2MW | Installed | ||
Vic | Yambuk | Pacific Hydro | 30 MW | Installed | ||
Vic | Bald Hills | Wind Power Pty Ltd | 109MW | Planning Approved | ||
Vic | Portland Wind Project[5] | Pacific Hydro | 195 MW | Under Tender | ||
Vic | Dollar | AGL | 80MW | Project Suspended | ||
Vic | Rosedale | Pacific Hydro | 50 | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Waubra | Acciona Energy/ ANZ Infrastructure Services | 192MW | Under Construction | ||
Vic | Yaloak | Pacific Hydro | 105MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Macarthur | AGL | 329MW | Planning Approved | ||
Vic | Lake Gillear/ Logans Beach | Skygen/CLP | 40MW | Abandoned | ||
Vic | Crowlands/ Glenlofty | Pacific Hydro | 140MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Science Works/ Spotswood | Science Works/ Future Energy Pty Ltd | 2MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Woorndoo | Sustainable Energy Australia & NewEN Australia | 26MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Baynton | Stanwell Corporation Ltd and WindLab Systems | 50MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Naroghid | Wind Farm Developments | 30MW | Planning Approved | ||
Vic | Korumburra | Wind Power Pty Ltd | 12MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Mount Gellibrand | ProVentum | 232 MW | Planning Approved | ||
Vic | Breamlea/Black Rock | Future Energy (Community owned) | 2 MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Welshpool | AGL | 18 MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Portland | Wind Power Pty Ltd | 17.5 MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Yarram Wind Farm | Synergy Wind | 18MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Sidonia Hills | Hydro Tasmania | 120MW | Feasibility | ||
Vic | Newfield | Acciona Energy | 22.5MW | Seeking Approval | ||
Vic | Berrimal | Acciona Energy | 18MW | Seeking Approval | ||
Vic | Leonard's Hill | Hepburn Renewable Energy Association | 4MW | Seeking Approval | ||
Vic | Ballan | Pacific Hydro | 90 MW | proposed | ||
Vic | Cape Bridgewater | Pacific Hydro | 51 MW | Proposed | ||
Vic | Cape Bridgewater and Cape Nelson | Energy Equity Corp | 18 MW | Proposed | ||
Vic | Cape Nelson | Primergy Ltd & Wind Propect Pty Ltd | 15 MW | Proposed | ||
Vic | Cape Nelson | Pacific Hydro | 66 MW | Proposed | ||
Vic | Cape Sir William Grant | Pacific Hydro | 12 MW | Proposed | ||
Vic | Dean | Wind Power Pty Ltd | 20 MW | Proposed | ||
Vic | Nirranda | Stanwell Corporation | 50 MW | Proposed | ||
Vic | Nirranda South | Wind Farm Developments/Meridian Energy | 50 MW | Proposed | ||
Vic | Point Lonsdale-Marcus Hill | Wind Power Pty Ltd | 5 MW | Proposed | ||
Vic | Pyreness | Wind Power Pty Ltd | 200 MW | Proposed | ||
Vic | Wonthaggi Wind Farm | Wind Power Pty Ltd | 10.5 MW | Proposed |
Queensland
State | Project Name | Sponsoring Company |
Coordinates | Capacity | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Qld | Coconut Island (decommissioned) | Ergon Energy | 0.01MW | Installed | ||
Qld | Thursday Island | Ergon Energy | 0.45MW | Installed | ||
Qld | Windy Hill Wind Farm | Stanwell | 12MW | Installed | ||
Qld | High Road | Stanwell Corporation | 40MW | Feasibility | ||
Qld | Windy Hill Wind Farm Stage 2 | Stanwell Corporation | 12MW | Feasibility | ||
Qld | Crows Nest | Energreen | 124MW | Planning Approved | ||
Qld | Coowonga | Earth Energy | 0.02MW | Feasibility | ||
Qld | North Stradbroke Island | Stanwell Corporation | 15MW | Proposed | ||
Qld | Crediton | Stanwell Corporation | 30MW | Proposed |
South Australia
State | Project Name | Sponsoring Company |
Coordinates | Capacity | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SA | Coober Pedy | 0.15 MW | Installed | |||
SA | Starfish Hill Wind Farm | Tarong Energy | 34.5 MW | Installed | ||
SA | Canunda Wind Farm | International Power/ Wind Prospect | 46 MW | Installed | ||
SA | Lake Bonney Stage 1 | Babcock & Brown National Power | 80.5 MW | Installed | ||
SA | Wattle Point Wind Farm | AGL & Wind Farm Developments | 90.75 MW | Installed | ||
SA | Mount Millar Wind Farm | Tarong Energy | 70 MW | Installed | ||
SA | Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm | Hydro Tasmania & Acciona Energy | 66 MW | Installed | ||
SA | Barunga | Wind Prospect | 170 MW | Construction commenced 10/04/07 [6] | ||
SA | Clements Gap | Pacific Hydro | 58 MW | Planning Approved | ||
SA | Elliston Stage 1 (Tungketta Hill) | Ausker Energies & ANZ Infra Sevices | 55 MW | Planning Approved | ||
SA | Green Point | Wind Prospect Novera Energy | 44 MW | Planning Approved | ||
SA | Hallett | AGL | 95 MW | Under Construction | ||
SA | Kongorong | Stanwell Corporation | 30 MW | Feasibility | ||
SA | Lake Bonney Wind Farm (stage 2) | Babcock & Brown National Power | 159 MW | Under Construction | ||
SA | Lake George | Babcock & Brown National Power | 120 MW | Feasibility | ||
SA | Lake Hamilton/Sheringa | Hydro Tasmania | 110 MW | Feasibility | ||
SA | Mount Benson | Babcock & Brown National Power | 130 MW | Feasibility | ||
SA | Myponga/Sellicks Hill | TrustPower | 35 MW | Planning Approved | ||
SA | Shea Oak Flat | Pacific Hydro | 59 MW | Planning Approved | ||
SA | Snowtown | Trust Power | 90 MW | Planning Approved | ||
SA | Troubridge Point | Wind Prospect | 25 MW | Planning Approved | ||
SA | Collaby Hill | Wind Farm Developments | 120 MW | Feasibility | ||
SA | Uley | Babcock & Brown & National Power | 160 MW | Feasibility | ||
SA | Sheringa Beach | Ausker Energies | 100 MW | Feasibility | ||
SA | Waterloo | Roaring 40s | 117 MW | Project Suspended | ||
SA | Elliston Stage 2 | Ausker Energies & ANZ Infra Sevices | 65 MW | Planning Approved | ||
SA | Barn Hill (Red Hill) | Stanwell Corp | 120 MW | Feasibility | ||
SA | Lincoln Gap | Wind Energy Solutions | 123.9 MW | Planning Approved | ||
SA | Eaglehawk | Origin Energy | 20 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Eyre Peninsula | Babcock & Brown | 100 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Kemmiss Hill | Origin Energy | 30 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Loch Well Beach | Ausker Energy | 54 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Mount Millar | Tarong Energy | 60 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Tungketta Hill | Ausker Energies Pty Ltd | 49.5 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Vincent North | Pacific Hydro | 59.4 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Waitpinga | Waitpinga Wind Farm & Wind Farm Developments | 50 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Weymouth Hill | Meridian Energy/Wind Farm Developments | 20 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Woakwine | Beacon Energy | 100 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Woakwine Range | Wind Prospect Pry Ltd | 52.5 MW | Proposed | ||
SA | Yabmana | Primergy and Wind Prospect P/L | 55 MW | Proposed |
Western Australia
State | Project Name | Sponsoring Company |
Coordinates | Capacity | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WA | Albany Wind Farm | Verve Energy | 21 MW | Installed | ||
WA | Alinta Wind Farm near Geraldton | Alinta | 90 MW | Installed | ||
WA | Ten Mile Lagoon | 2.03 MW | Installed | |||
WA | Nine Mile Beach | 3.6 MW | Installed |
Tasmania, ACT, NT
State | Project Name | Sponsoring Company |
Coordinates | Capacity | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tas | Woolnorth Wind Farm | 64.75 MW | ||||
ACT | ||||||
NT |
Wind turbine efficiency
The efficiency of a wind turbine is defined as the proportion of electrical energy that is derived from the kinetic energy available in the prevailing wind. In theory, a 100% efficiency would imply that all of the wind energy is converted to electrical energy, leaving still air on the lee side of the turbine. In practice, this is neither desirable nor achievable. The maximum theoretical mechanical efficiency of 59% is known as the Betz limit. [7]
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%.[8][9] 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 eight-fold.
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.[5]
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.[6]
Environmental impact
Australia is the highest emitter of greenhouse gases per capita in the developed world.[10] It is one of the major exporters of coal, the burning of which causes CO2. 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:[7]
- 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 very tiny and declining. There are no emissions 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, and a net increase in biodiversity.
- Modern wind turbines are almost silent and rotate so slowly (in terms of revolutions per minute) that they are rarely a hazard to birds.[8]
Landscape and heritage issues may be a significant issue for certain wind farms. 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.[9]
Major wind power companies
Wind Prospect
In March 2005 the 46MW Canunda Wind Farm in South Australia, developed by Wind Prospect, was commissioned. A second South Australian wind farm, Mt Millar Wind Farm, was commissioned in January 2006 and this provides a further 70MW of generation. More recently, a third wind farm has reached financial close for Wind Prospect in South Australia. This is the 95MW Hallett Wind Farm which is expected to be fully commissioned late in 2008.
In Australia, Wind Prospect has more megawatts of capacity approved by local councils than any other developer in the country. In all, nine wind farms totalling over 700 MW have planning approval.
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:
Suzlon
Suzlon Energy Australia Pty. Ltd. (SEA), is based in Melbourne, and is a subsidiary of Suzlon Energy A/S of Aarhus, Denmark. 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.[10]
See also
- Energy policy of Australia
- Mark Diesendorf
- Renewable energy commercialization in Australia
- Solar power in Australia
- Wind power
- Wind power in South Australia
- Wind power in the United Kingdom
References
- ^ http://www.cana.net.au/index.php?site_var=337
- ^ Australia tops greenhouse pollution index
- ^ A.W. Blakers,. "Solar and Wind Electricity in Australia" (PDF). Australian Journal of Environmental Management, Vol 7, pp 223-236, 2000. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ "Global wind energy markets continue to boom – 2006 another record year" (PDF). Global Wind Energy Council. 2007-02-02. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "Portland Wind Project". Retrieved 2007-03-27.
- ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1893076.htm
- ^ "Wind Energy Manual". Iowa Energy Center. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
- ^ "Power Coefficient". Danish Wind Industry Association. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
- ^ . Sustainability Victoria http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/SV_Wind_Energy.pdf. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help); Text "Wind Energy: The myths and facts" ignored (help) - ^ http://www.cana.net.au/index.php?site_var=337
External links
- Wind power and wind farms in South Australia
- List of useful links about renewable energy in Australia
- "Why Australia needs wind power" by Mark Diesendorf
- Australian Wind Energy Association
- SA Electricity Industry Supply Planning Council 2005 Wind Study
- Global Wind Energy Council: Global Wind Energy Outlook 2006 (2Mb pdf file)
- Sustainability Victoria Wind Energy: The Myths and the Facts
- Why does Green Power cost extra?