About the project

CD Power have developed a reliable, low carbon and economical alternative power solution for the resources sector, helping maintain a secure energy supply that operators rely on, especially in remote locations.

Their solution brings together three key elements: a network of solar panels, a battery storage system and a gas-fuelled generator, controlled by CD Power’s bespoke power program and designed to integrate into each individual customer’s control systems.

Together they are designed for low power wellsite applications requiring constant loads under 8kW, with the solar, battery and generator delivering peak loads of 24kW in power.

This means the hybrid power solution still delivers near 100% reliable power for operators but, through the integration of solar, the system can reduce the carbon footprint and noise emissions from wellsites with each hour of operation.

With most wellsites running on grid or powered by fuel at source generators alone, this project demonstrates the potential of lower emission intensity opportunities for resources operators and lights the way for clean technology integration across the sector.

Impact

The Hybrid Wellsite Solar Battery Generator package for CSG wellsite power was successfully installed and commissioned at Origin's Spring Gully field in March 2019.

For CSG operators, the technology represents a huge opportunity to deliver operational efficiencies on low power wellsites. CD Power's units can increase the service life of generation equipment by 25-40%, while reducing operating hours and maintenance costs by 40-60%. The unit's modular design also provides flexibility according to each well's performance and changing power requirements over its lifetime.

Because the mobile units remove dependence on grid power supply and can be transported between sites, the higher power availability could increase gas field capacity, boosting operational efficiency and productivity.