AGL Energy and Cadell Orchards, managed by Australian Farming Services, have partnered to power Cadell Orchard’s Sunraysia almond orchard with renewable energy from a microgrid powered by a five-hectare solar farm battery to be built on-site.
In a statement, AGL Energy said the new microgrid would supply the site with 5.2 GWh of renewable energy, decreasing Cadell Orchard’s reliance on diesel generators and lowering scope 1 CO2 emissions by up to 4,700 tonnes annually,
AGL Chief Customer Officer Jo Egan stated that the company is assisting Cadell Orchards in harnessing solar energy to reduce emissions and establish a more sustainable farming enterprise.
“With enough renewable energy to power a small town, this new solar farm is the size of two MCGs and will helo Cadell Orchards cut thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. AGL has been working with Cadell Orchargds to model energy usage and design an integrated and innovative renewable energy system to lower their energy costs and meet the orchard’s future needs,” Eagen said.
According to Eagen, it is AGL’s second significant microgrid announcement, further describing it as a great illustration of how AGL works with farmers to help them cut emissions and lower their energy costs.
“AGL is committed to renewable energy, and it’s through partnerships like this that we’re delivering on a low-carbon future with our customers and communities as we transition towards net-zero,” she added.
A 4.9MW tracking solar farm that will be constructed on-site, a 5.4MWh battery system, 7km of new underground powerlines, an inverter, a grid stability unit, a microgrid controller, and communications are all included in the system.
Australian Farming Services CEO David Armstrong said the new microgrid was yet another illustration of the company’s technologically advanced approach to farm management.
“Working with AGL, we’ll be able to generate clean and renewable solar power, which will cut our emissions, reduce our reliance on diesel fuel by 85 per cent and deliver up to 40 per cent energy cost savings each year. Our orchard will also benefit from energy price certainty and better energy resilience and reliability,” Armstrong stated.
Under a long-term power purchase agreement, AGL will construct, own, and run the solar-powered microgrid to meet Cadell’s electricity needs and lessen the company’s reliance on diesel fuel.
The installation of the new microgrid is set to commence in April 2023 and is anticipated to provide electricity by October 2023.
Source: australianresources
