Tag Archives: Pacific Energy

Pacific Energy solar

Pacific Energy signs deal to deliver its biggest solar farm yet for Gold Fields’ St Ives mine

Pacific Energy has signed an agreement with Gold Fields to design and construct a 35 MW solar farm for the St Ives gold mine, 80 km south of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields region.

The solar farm is a part of Gold Fields’ landmark A$296 million ($198 million) St Ives Renewables project, which also includes 42 MW of wind power. The system is expected to power the mine site using upwards of 70% renewable energy and will reduce the mine’s carbon emissions by about 50% by 2030.

The St Ives Renewables project is the first time Gold Fields has managed a renewables project in-house. The solar farm is the largest array Pacific Energy has ever been commissioned to deliver and will meet nearly half of the power system’s renewable energy target.

Pacific Energy’s Chief Executive, Jamie Cullen, said: “Gold Fields is taking firm steps to significantly reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, and we’re committed to helping them achieve this. Our engineers have factored in scalability to the solar design so that Gold Fields could expand its solar contribution almost immediately if it needed to.

“Design and installation solar contracts like this one, which sit between gigawatt and residential scale systems, are particularly suited to Pacific Energy’s specialist renewable energy capabilities. They allow us to help our partners transition their energy mix using their existing systems, or, like this one, as a part of a larger, client-managed project.

“A key lesson we’ve learned over the years is that the design needs to be flexible and account for the rapid changes we’re seeing in the renewable energy transition.”

Gold Fields’ Principal Specialist – Project Director, Simon Schmid, said partnering with a local company delivered on the company’s local procurement commitments.

“We are thrilled to partner with Pacific Energy on the design and installation of the St Ives solar farm. Gold Fields is committed to local procurement where possible and we are proud to support Australian businesses.

“This marks a significant step forward in Gold Fields’ decarbonisation journey and another milestone in the delivery of our biggest renewables project to date in Australia as we invest in projects that reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”

Cullen added: “Like Pacific Energy, Gold Fields is putting its words into action and setting a high bar for energy decarbonisation. We’re really pleased to partner with them on the project, and on their journey to net zero.”

Pacific Energy will commence civil work on the solar farm in November this year and expects it to be fully operational in 2026.

Pacific Energy helps Westgold Resources power Mid West region operations

Pacific Energy says it has successfully designed and delivered four industry-leading hybrid power systems for Westgold Resources Limited’s gold mining operations in Western Australia’s Mid West region.

The hybrid systems, which have a combined capacity of 82 MW, have been delivered under a seven-year build-own-operate agreement and comprise 28 MW of solar, 11.5 MW of battery energy storage (BESS) and 42.5 MW of high-efficiency gas generation.

The four systems, located at Westgold’s Tuckabianna, Bluebird, Fortnum and Big Bell facilities, were delivered concurrently and in parallel with Westgold’s operational expansion projects at all four sites. They replace six diesel-fired plants and are expected to collectively displace 38 million litres of diesel every year and cut carbon emissions by up to 57,000 t annually.

The Tuckabianna system, which was fully commissioned in August 2023, achieved an average of 31% solar penetration between November 2023 and January 2024, peaking at 36.9% in December.

Westgold’s Managing Director and CEO, Wayne Bramwell, said powering Westgold’s operations with renewables was at the heart of its Clean Energy Transition project, which is set to improve the company’s environmental efficiencies and reduce operating costs.

“Moving towards renewables works for Westgold as a business because it drives costs out,” Bramwell said. “It also works for the environment because it significantly reduces carbon emissions and it sends a signal about our long-term view of building a sustainable busines.”

Pacific Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Jamie Cullen, said: “This complex project showcases Pacific Energy’s commitment to delivering sustainable, cutting-edge solutions for our clients, even in the very challenging circumstances we encounter in remote locations.

“Pacific Energy and Westgold have worked side-by-side in the Mid West’s tough environment to deliver these systems safely, with zero lost time injuries. And by delivering the hybrid systems concurrently, we’ve been able to identify different response scenarios at each location and implement those learnings across the board to optimise system capabilities.”

Pacific Energy centred the design of the hybrid systems around its virtual generator (VG) BESS technology, which integrates renewable energy sources and dynamically stabilises the power systems, marking a shift away from thermal generation as the primary source of system stability.

An evolution of grid forming BESS technology, VG BESS can mimic the characteristics of rotating thermal generators, providing for the first time the ability to stabilise large-scale power systems without burning fuel or using legacy technologies like synchronous condensers, according to Pacific Energy.

The new hybrid systems also have emergency hydrocarbons-off functionality, which enables mining operations using solar and BESS during system outages and other critical situations, it added.

Cullen said: “We’re approaching our systems design with a future-focused mindset, so they can support the increasing sophistication of renewable energy technologies for years to come, and to ensure we’re delivering the decarbonisation outcomes our clients are looking for.”

Pacific Energy to introduce LNG to Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora power plant

Pacific Energy is pleased to announce it will be converting its diesel power plant at Pilbara Minerals Limited’s Pilgangoora Operation, in Western Australia, to a combined natural gas-diesel power station, helping to deliver a lower-emissions future for Pilbara Minerals.

The announcement comes off the back of the recent Pilbara Minerals’ ASX announcement detailing the lithium miner’s medium-term power strategy, a three-stage plan slated to significantly reduce its power related emissions intensity.

The 15-year power station upgrade agreement is an amendment to Pacific Energy’s existing build-own-operate contract to supply power to the Pilgangoora Operation. The agreement supplements a separate 6 MW solar power agreement in place between the two companies. The upgrades will play an important role in Stage 1 of Pilbara Minerals’ medium-term power strategy, which aims to further displace diesel fuel use with a lower-emissions fuel.

Under the agreement, Pacific Energy will convert its current on-site power plant to a combined natural gas-diesel power station, expand overall power generation to support its client’s P1000 expansion project, and integrate a battery energy storage system, initially to improve system reliability and efficiency, and subsequently to support future solar integration.

Pacific Energy’s upgrades will comprise 12 new 2.5 MW high-efficiency gas generators and a 13 MW/8 MWh BESS at the main power station. A portion of the existing diesel generators will remain on-site to provide additional power security across both the Pilgan and Ngungaju power plants.

Pacific Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Jamie Cullen, said the project is further demonstration of the company delivering on its ambition to transition the world to a clean energy future.

“Decarbonising both our own and our clients’ operations is absolutely front of mind for Pacific Energy,” he said. “We know we play a critical role in helping our clients to reduce their emissions intensity by transitioning their power supplies to lower-emissions alternatives.

“We’re really pleased to be partnering with Pilbara Minerals on their journey towards net zero. Projects like this one lead to emissions intensity reductions, and they also enable the cleaner production of critical minerals like lithium, which are essential for our growing global renewable energy technology market. That’s something we’re really proud to support.”

Pacific Energy’s LNG conversion will help Pilbara Minerals substitute 90% of the diesel it currently uses for stationary power generation, replacing it with trucked LNG, a lower emissions-intensive fuel source, which is expected to reduce power related carbon emissions intensity by approximately 20%.

Pacific Energy expects project works to commence in early 2024, with the upgrades due for completion by mid-2025.

Westgold’s Clean Energy Transition initiative accelerates with start up of first hybrid power station

The Tuckabianna hybrid power facility – the first of four new hybrid power stations being developed for Westgold Resources – has commenced operations, in Western Australia; a major milestone for the gold miner and its Clean Energy Transition initiative.

The four facilities – at Tuckabianna, Bluebird, Fortnum and Big Bell – are expected to provide substantial reductions in emissions and power costs across Westgold’s operations in the Murchison and Bryah regions of Western Australia, according to Pacific Energy, the provider of these solutions. The system will have a combined installed capacity of 82 MW, providing an expected annual reduction of 38 million litres in diesel fuel usage and approximately 57,000 t/y less CO2-equivalent emissions.

Westgold Chair, Cheryl Edwardes, and Managing Director, Wayne Bramwell, joined business partners, local officials and Traditional Owners on site to open the 17.9 MW facility this week.

The Tuckabianna facility includes a 6 MW solar farm fitted with 11,088 photovoltaic panels, a battery energy storage system with 2.4 MW installed capacity, and a 9.5 MW gas-fuelled power station.

The gas-fired power stations, battery storage and solar farms are owned and operated by Pacific Energy under an Electricity Purchase Agreement, and the LNG is provided by Clean Energy Fuels Australia (CEFA) under an LNG supply agreement. These agreements were signed last year.

These agreements will deliver substantial operating cost savings to Westgold in its 2023-2024 financial years onwards of around A$100/oz ($68/oz) at the then current diesel price and supports its commitment to environmental, social and governance initiatives that will reduce the company’s long term greenhouse gas emissions, it said.

Westgold’s Bramwell said: “Westgold continues to innovate to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and drive our operating costs down. This new hybrid power facility at Tuckabianna incorporates renewable energy and is a great first step along this journey, with power generated from these facilities energising our mines and processing hubs for decades to come. The successful commissioning of Tuckabianna is a testament to the tireless work of Westgold’s project and operational teams, business partners at Pacific Energy and CEFA and construction crews who have delivered our first power station safely and on schedule.”

Pacific Energy CEO, Jamie Cullen, said: “Congratulations to the Pacific Energy and Westgold project teams for delivering the Tuckabianna hybrid station – on time, and most importantly safely and incident free. Tuckabianna is part of a larger project to consolidate six existing power stations into four high efficiency hybrid power stations that incorporate gas, solar and battery storage systems. Collectively this represents one of the largest fully integrated hybrid power systems in the Australian mining sector.

“As a valued client of Pacific Energy since 2015, we are delighted to join Westgold on its transition to a cleaner energy future.”

Pacific Energy to integrate more ‘clean energy’ into Tropicana gold operation

Pacific Energy says it has been awarded the contract to integrate 62 MW of clean energy into its existing 54 MW gas fired power system at the Tropicana gold mine, 330 km northeast of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.

Tropicana is owned by AngloGold Ashanti Australia Ltd (70% and manager) and Regis Resources Ltd (30%).

The renewable expansion of the existing power system will be delivered under a 10-year build-own-operate agreement. When completed, the 116 MW power station will be the largest off-grid hybrid investment in the power provider’s portfolio, and, at time of contract, the largest off-grid gas-wind-solar-battery storage facility in the Australian resources sector, according to Pacific Energy.

The expansion will incorporate four 6 MW wind turbines, a 24 MW solar farm and a 14 MW battery storage system (BESS). The integrated power facility’s intelligent control system, which has been developed in-house by Pacific Energy, will optimise input from the high penetration renewable energy and storage technologies and allow the system to run hydrocarbons-free for extended periods of time, the company says.

Pacific Energy has designed the new system to support AngloGold Ashanti’s strategy of reducing its global net carbon emissions from energy use by 30% by 2030, as part of its roadmap to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Overall, the renewables integration is expected to reduce Tropicana’s diesel and gas consumption for power generation by 96% and 50% respectively, slashing carbon emissions by an average of 65,000 t/y over the life of the agreement, according to Pacific Energy.

Pacific Energy Chief Executive, Jamie Cullen, said: “This is an excellent outcome for our long-time client, AngloGold Ashanti. We’ve been on the journey with them since 2012 and we are incredibly pleased to apply proven global technologies and our in-house expertise to help decarbonise their operations without losing power reliability or efficiency.

“To date, we are the only operator to successfully supply hydrocarbons-free power to mine sites in Australia.

“We expect our new system to reduce the mine site’s overall power generation emissions by 50%. It’s a really exciting prospect for us and AngloGold Ashanti, and one we’ve worked hard to achieve on our client’s behalf.”

Delivery of the project, which is slated to be Australia’s most remote large-scale hybrid power system, will be coordinated by Pacific Energy’s Remote Energy and Integrated Renewables divisions. The company will capitalise on its fully-integrated capabilities by manufacturing the BESS, high-voltage switch room and PV ring main units in house at its Western Australia-based facilities, it says.

Pacific Energy is expected to begin site works in July this year, with the project due for completion in early 2025.

Hybrid Systems Australia delivers Western Australia’s ‘largest network-integrated BESS’ to Fortescue

Hybrid Systems Australia, Pacific Energy’s integrated renewables subsidiary, says it has delivered Western Australia’s largest network-integrated battery energy storage system (BESS) as a part of Fortescue Metals Group’s Pilbara Energy Connect project, which aims to power the miner’s Pilbara iron ore operations with renewable energy.

Hybrid Systems Australia designed, installed and commissioned 42 MW of interconnected battery storage for two Fortescue mine sites, making it one of the world’s largest network-connected BESS to be developed for a mining application, the company says.

The batteries, which are now fully operational, have been developed alongside solar and new low emissions gas-fired generation that will be owned and operated by Fortescue as part of the company’s Pilbara Energy Connect (PEC) program.

HSA said: “The battery systems use industry-leading grid stabilising control systems, including millisecond-response capabilities and Kokam battery technology, to provide greater protection against load spikes and dips and ensure overall network stability.”

The batteries’ primary role is for grid stability and support, providing spinning reserve backup to any gas generation outages or sudden changes in the solar output. They will store energy from Fortescue’s planned 150 MW of nearby solar power, enabling mining activities to be powered by more renewable energy and cutting the annual carbon emissions of the mines.

Mike Hall, Executive Director of Hybrid Systems Australia, said the project represented one of the largest and most technologically advanced BESS projects the company had undertaken, and that systems of this size were critical to Fortescue’s move towards eliminating the use of fossil fuels in their operations by 2030.

“Our industry-leading design, network integration experience and strong partnerships meant we could readily deliver a large-scale solution that will allow Fortescue to continue its rapid upscale of renewable capacity and deliver on its real zero target,” he said.

“Our BESS are built specifically for remote Australia’s harsh conditions and can be sized from 1 MW to 200 MW, which makes them ideal for large-scale mining applications where the objective is greater reliance on clean energy.”

Fortescue Chief Operating Officer Iron Ore, Dino Otranto, said: “At Fortescue, we are committed to eliminating the use of fossil fuels across our operations by 2030. We were pleased to partner with Hybrid Systems Australia on the BESS, which are a significant component of our investment in the PEC program.

“PEC will not only supply low-cost power to our Iron Bridge operations, but importantly will support Fortescue’s world-leading decarbonisation agenda, allowing the incorporation of additional large scale renewable energy into our network in the future.”

The project included specialised involvement from its subsidiaries, Pacific Energy Pty Ltd, which is delivering the PEC’s low-emissions gas-fuelled power station, MVLV Power Solutions, which designed, manufactured and installed the switchgear and BESS enclosures, and Digital Intelligence, which delivered the BESS control systems.

Hybrid Systems Australia partnered with Hitachi Energy and Kokam to bring together expertise and key battery components from the two specialist equipment suppliers to deliver a solution for Fortescue. It also worked closely with Supply Nation accredited vendors, including electrical contractor, Boodjara Pty Ltd, and local electrical wholesalers, Myelec and D&W Electrical.

Hybrid Systems Australia and Horizon Power open renewable hydrogen demo plant

Hybrid Systems Australia, Pacific Energy’s integrated renewables subsidiary, has joined Horizon Power in officially opening Horizon Power’s renewable hydrogen demonstration plant.

The Australian-first project, which is being delivered in partnership by Horizon Power and Hybrid Systems Australia, will test the technological and commercial viability of renewable hydrogen as a baseload power source.

Hybrid Systems Australia was engaged to design, construct and commission the plant and worked closely with fellow Pacific Energy subsidiary, ENGV, to supply and install hydrogen equipment in the integrated system, including a 348 kW electrolyser, a specialised hydrogen compression and storage system and a 100 kW fuel cell.

The company also constructed a 704 kW solar farm to generate the renewable energy required to produce hydrogen.

In addition to providing valuable learnings for future applications of renewable hydrogen across the power generation sector, the system aims to demonstrate the efficiency of the hydrogen equipment such as the electrolyser and fuel cell, the ramp rate of hydrogen in response to a decline in solar generation, and the efficiency and storage capability of hydrogen fuel cells versus batteries.

Hybrid Systems Australia’s Executive Director, Mike Hall, said the project had proved ground-breaking, providing plenty of opportunities to further develop the company’s expertise and add value more broadly to the burgeoning sector.

“As an industry-first, this project has presented some really interesting opportunities for us to grow our capabilities in the green hydrogen project delivery space,” he said.

“It’s still a budding industry in Australia, so we really had to start at the beginning, from designing a system based on first principle thinking to navigating both existing and newly developing industry regulations and licensing designed for different applications. We’ve worked closely with Horizon Power and regulators to get the process right, and it’s been a very dynamic project, but we looked at any challenges as growth opportunities, and in doing so, we’ve been able to see things through fresh eyes.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the outcomes of Horizon Power’s Denham project and ongoing research and, furthermore, what it means for renewable hydrogen in utility-scale applications.”

The plant, which produced its first hydrogen in October, is expected to produce renewable energy equivalent to the average power demands of 100 households, or about 20% of Denham’s residential and business power needs, and will offset approximately 140,000 litres of diesel annually.

The project is a A$9.3 million ($6.2 million) investment, co-funded by Horizon Power, the Western Australian State Government and the Australian federal government. The Western Australia Government provided A$5.7 million of funding, with A$1 million through the Renewable Hydrogen Fund. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) provided A$2.6 million of funding through its Advancing Renewables Program.

Hybrid Systems Australia, a subsidiary of the QIC-owned Pacific Energy Group Holdings Pty Ltd, is currently commissioning Horizon Power’s renewable hydrogen demonstration plant, which is expected to be fully operational in early 2023.

Woodside Energy and EDL to help power up Thunderbird mineral sands project

Sheffield Resources says the joint venture that manages the Thunderbird mineral sands project in Western Australia has secured a supply of LNG for at least five years from subsidiaries of Woodside Energy Group Ltd and EDL.

Kimberley Mineral Sands, owned 50:50 by Sheffield Resources and Yansteel, has executed a binding five-year agreement, with the ability for the parties to extend for a further five years, with Woodside Energy (LNG Fuels & Power) Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Woodside Energy Group Ltd (Woodside) and EDLLNG Fuel to Power Pty Ltd (EDL) for the supply and delivery of approximately 650 tj/y of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the project.

LNG will be supplied by the Woodside/EDL joint venture (WEJV) from Woodside’s Pluto LNG Truck Loading Facility, near Karratha in Western Australia, and transported to the KMS LNG storage facility by WEJV. WEJV will own and operate a purpose-built road tanker fleet to safely and reliably deliver the LNG to Thunderbird.

The agreement enables flexible, long-term gas supply to KMS for power generation, Sheffield said, adding that it was subject to a number of customary conditions precedent, including KMS making a final investment decision toward the development of Thunderbird, following the completion of project financing of Thunderbird.

Sheffield Resources Executive Chair, Bruce Griffin, said: “We are extremely pleased KMS have established a strong relationship with Woodside and EDL as they support KMS by delivering a low cost, efficient energy solution for Thunderbird. Thunderbird construction is continuing to advance at a significant pace and remains on track for first production in early 2024.”

A bankable feasibility study released earlier this year outlined a A$484 million ($314 million) Stage 1 project using a Single Mining Unit Plant that underpinned a 10.4 Mt/y mining operation and a processing plant design feed rate of 170 t/h. The Stage 2 project saw a duplication in year five of Stage 1 mining underpinning a 20.8 Mt/y mining operation and an increase in the processing plant feed rate to 290 t/h.

Earlier this month, Pacific Energy signed a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement with KMS, wherby Pacific Energy will design, build, own and operate a 16 MW high efficiency gas power station combined with 2 MW of battery storage and an on-site LNG storage and re-vaporisation facility with 10 days’ storage capacity for the Thunderbird project.

Pacific Energy secures hybrid power PPA for Thunderbird mineral sands project

Pacific Energy says it has signed a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement with Kimberley Mineral Sands (KMS) for the Thunderbird mineral sands project in Western Australia.

Under the agreement, Pacific Energy will design, build, own and operate a 16 MW high efficiency gas power station combined with 2 MW of battery storage and an on-site LNG storage and re-vaporisation facility with 10 days’ storage capacity.

The agreement accommodates the future addition of solar energy and the parties will commence working on this augmentation as soon as possible to create a larger hybrid power facility, Pacific Energy says.

Pacific Energy CEO, Jamie Cullen, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been selected to deliver an efficient power generation and gas storage solution for KMS’ flagship Thunderbird project.”

Sheffield Resources Executive Chair, Bruce Griffin, added: “We look forward to KMS expanding their relationship with Pacific Energy, and for the support from Pacific Energy to deliver a stable and efficient energy solution for Thunderbird. We welcome this important milestone step in establishing Thunderbird as the next major mineral sands producer in the near future.”

Construction is due to commence in December 2022.

KMS is owned 50:50 by Sheffield Resources and Yansteel.

A bankable feasibility study released earlier this year outlined a A$484 million ($325 million) Stage 1 project using a Single Mining Unit Plant that underpinned a 10.4 Mt/y mining operation and a processing plant design feed rate of 170 t/h. The Stage 2 project saw a duplication in year five of Stage 1 mining underpinning a 20.8 Mt/y mining operation and an increase in the processing plant feed rate to 290 t/h.

Pictured above: the Thunderbird process plant layout (power generation & storage area inset)

Westgold signs gas and renewables agreements with Pacific Energy, CEFA

Westgold Resources, in line with its ongoing objectives to enhance profitability and focus on cost optimisation, has executed a new Electricity Purchase Agreement with independent power provider Pacific Energy and a new LNG Supply Agreement with Clean Energy Fuels Australia (CEFA).

These agreements will deliver substantial operating cost savings to Westgold in its 2023-2024 financial years onwards of around A$100/oz ($68/oz) at the current diesel price and supports its commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives that will reduce the company’s long term greenhouse gas emissions, it said.

Under the build-own-operate agreement with Pacific Energy, Westgold will materially reduce diesel consumption by replacing six diesel-fired power stations (two owned and operated by Pacific Energy) with four new, highly efficient gas-fired power stations to incorporate renewable energy options and use solar power and battery storage across the Bryah and Murchison Operations. Critically for Westgold, this transition to a mixed generation platform includes renewables and gas and is expected to reduce carbon emissions from diesel-powered generators by over 57%, due to the higher integration of renewables (34% solar) and cleaner fuel (gas versus diesel), the company said.

Westgold’s first new Pacific Energy power station will be commissioned in July 2023 at the Tuckabianna processing hub, with the three additional new power plants scheduled for commissioning from September 2023.

Westgold has concurrently signed a bulk LNG supply agreement with CEFA. CEFA will supply Westgold from its expanded LNG plant located at Mt Magnet (pictured), 80 km south of Cue. This plant is currently providing LNG to another Pacific Energy power plant in the Murchison region and provides a substantial advantage due to its proximity to Westgold’s operations. CEFA will fund and construct satellite LNG facilities (primarily comprising LNG storage and re-gasification equipment) at Westgold’s project sites, with the LNG trucked direct from its plant at Mt Magnet.

The new gas and solar power station to be commissioned at Westgold’s Meekatharra operations will also serve to simplify power generation by removing smaller diesel fired power stations at the Paddy’s Flat and Bluebird underground mines and providing them power from a larger gas-fired power station via overhead powerlines, according to the company.

Westgold Managing Director, Wayne Bramwell, said: “The transition to a cleaner, more efficient energy platform that utilises renewables and gas in financial year 2023 is strategic for Westgold. It is an important step in meeting our ESG targets but is pivotal to reducing the operating cost of our business.

“Westgold has selected two industry leaders in Pacific Energy and CEFA to work with us in this transition and we look forward to seeing the benefits that integrating renewable power and cleaner energy alternatives can deliver to our business and the communities within which we work.”