Hopetoun is an isolated town on the south coast of Western Australia with a permanent population of approximately 350. The diesel fuelled generators in the town power station consumed approximately 980,000 litres of diesel fuel annually; until Powercorp’s advanced wind/diesel technology was installed during 2004. Powercorp’s unique high wind penetration system, with its advanced controls, Dynamic Grid Interface and Low Load Diesel (LLDTM), maximises the wind energy input into the system while enhancing grid reliability and power quality and reducing diesel fuel consumption.
This project built on the experience with a similar system, installed in the Denham power station, which proved highly successful in optimising electricity supply quality and fuel savings. In Hopetoun, a single 600kW Enercon E-40 wind turbine has been installed along with two LLDTM generators, each rated at 320kW. The advanced control system comprises a Master Controller, Generator and Feeder Controllers, and two Dynamic Grid Interface Systems.
The wind turbine is expected to supply approximately 42% of the town's electricity requirements per annum. Instantaneous wind energy penetration of over 90% has beenachieved. The Hopetoun wind/diesel system is expected to save approximately 400,000 litres of fuel annually.
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