Patel, Jayesh (2016) Analysis of the potential for 100% renewable energy supply to Groote Eylandt. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
In past 200 years, Australia has witnessed a continual cycle of mining boom and bust which left over 50,000 abandoned mine sites. Many of the mines had closed due to various reasons and government allowed these mining operators to walk away with their operations. There is a severe effect of mine closure which includes social, economic and environmental. The social and economic effects of mine closure is depends on level of dependency of surrounded community on mines.
GEMCO (Groote Eylandt Mining Company) is a world largest and lowest-cost manganese ore producer in Australia. Community of Groote Eylandt is highly dependent on this manning operation for royalty income, employments and their energy need. Decrease in manganese demand, reduction in ore price, and high operation cost are the main factors, which will decide the future of this mine. This factors also affected Rio Tinto to cease their mining operation from Groote Eylandt in 2014. If rest of the mining operation is ceased in near future, Government of Northern Territory required to operate new power plant to meet the energy needs of this island.
Power generation can be done with variety of different power sources such as diesel generators, Photovoltaic (PV) with battery bank, or combining it with diesel generators or biomass gasifier power generator. The key challenge is to choose the right power generation system to suit the geographical area of Groote Eylandt and meet their demand. Detail analysis conducted with HOMER by selecting each of the system and compared. This Comparison conducted on the base of initial cost, net present cost, cost of fuel, cost of operation and maintenance, and greenhouse gas emission (GHG). The key outcome of this project was demand of energy can be met by hybrid system comprise with PV-Battery bank and Biomass gasifier. This hybrid system will met the community energy demand with 100% renewable energy and the cost of this hybrid system is cheaper than any other system with or without fossil fuels. This hybrid system will not only provide power, but it has many other benefits which make it more attractive than others. This renewable project can create employment opportunities, more than 50% federal funding for its initial set up cost and reduction of GHG with earing carbon credits. The major advantage of this hybrid system will create Groote Eylandt community profile as first in the country to become 100% renewable.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Major Electrical & Electronic Engineering project |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Bowtell, Les |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Jul 2017 02:40 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Jul 2017 02:40 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 100% renewable energy; mining boom; manganese; power generation |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 09 Engineering > 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering > 090608 Renewable Power and Energy Systems Engineering (excl. Solar Cells) |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 40 ENGINEERING > 4008 Electrical engineering > 400803 Electrical energy generation (incl. renewables, excl. photovoltaics) |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/31455 |
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