PV storage and inverter provider Sungrow has joined together with Zenith Energy and Liontown Resources to advance renewable energy for the Kathleen Valley Operation, Australia’s largest off-grid hybrid renewable energy system.
The companies said that this landmark initiative sets a new precedent for integrating renewable energy solutions in the mining sector, driving sustainable practices, and reducing environmental impacts in one of Australia’s most significant industries.
Kathleen Valley, located in a remote region of Western Australia, is utilizing off-grid energy solutions essential for reliable and continuous mining operations. The renewable off-grid solution will reduce reliance on costly and polluting diesel fuel, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and cut energy costs.
This project features an advanced hybrid power system that integrates 17 MW / 20 MWh of battery storage, 17 MW of solar energy, and 30 MW of wind power. Additionally, the system includes 32 MW of thermal generation, comprising 27 MW of gas and 5 MW of diesel. The project applied Sungrow’s SG350HX string inverter, SC4000UD-MV power conversion system, and ST2236UX PowerTitan liquid cooling energy storage system to provide a highly efficient renewable energy solution, supporting sustainability and energy optimization for mining operations.
As the trio said recently, the advanced systems powered the entire site on 100% renewables continuously for three and a half days since being commissioned on June 30. The system design will enable delivery of up to an 80% renewable energy fraction over the course of a year, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and setting new benchmarks for environmentally responsible mining.
“We are proud to collaborate with Zenith Energy and Liontown Resources on this transformative project,” Sungrow Australia Country Director Joe Zhou said.
“By integrating advanced renewable solutions, we are driving the mining industry’s energy transition and demonstrating the power of sustainable innovation in one of Australia’s key economic sectors.”
Sungrow, Zenith Energy, and Liontown Resources confirmed that, as Australia works towards achieving its net-zero goals by 2050, this project will serve as a benchmark for integrating renewables into traditionally hard-to-decarbonize sectors like mining. Looking ahead, Sungrow is committed to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions across diverse industries.
Sources: www.zenithenergy.com.au and www.sungrowpower.com