SA Produce Market powered by govt-funded solar microgrid

A solar microgrid is being implemented to power the South Australian Produce Market.

There will be 1600 solar panels and a large lithium-ion battery installed at its facility in Pooraka, and it is hoped this will save stallholders more than half a million dollars per year in power bills.

The $10.5 million microgrid, which will be constructed with the help of a $2.5 million state government Energy Productivity Program grant, is understood to be the largest private solar PV system in South Australia.

The system will supply all of the wholesale market’s energy needs and will also feed surplus power into the broader grid, relieving peak demand and putting downward pressure on power prices for all South Australians.

“Pairing solar panels with batteries not only reduces power costs for businesses, it also reduces demand on the grid, putting downward pressure on power prices for all South Australians,” said Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis.

“South Australia is at the forefront of advances in the deployment of this technology.”

The microgrid will comprise of a 4.2 MWh lithium-ion battery, 2.5 MW solar PV system and 2.5 MW on-site generator, and at full capacity will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 4500 homes.

The project will cut greenhouse gas emissions from the site by 2637 tonnes each year and it is anticipated market stallholders will save up to $5.5 million over the next 10 years compared to the current retail offers available in SA.

The control system for the site is being developed by local South Australian company AZZO. The microgrid will be fully operational by late 2018 and will create about 40 jobs during construction.

“This project would not have been possible without the $2.5 million Energy Productivity Program grant and support of the South Australian Government,” said SA Produce Market CEO Angelo Demasi.

“We thank the South Australian Government for the funding and support to ensure we can provide environmentally sustainable energy to our stallholders.

“We want to ensure we can continue to provide affordable fresh produce on a local and global platform and this initiative means we can do it with an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manor using an innovative solution.”

Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the SA Produce Market microgrid project kicks of a week in which the state government will make a range of major announcements on new renewable energy projects that will put downward pressure on power prices for South Australians.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Scanrail

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