Solar power to fuel Liddell
WORK has begun on a new solar farm at Macquarie Gener-ation's Liddell Power Station.
At over 20,000 square metres, the multi-million dollar construction is the size of four football fields will be used to power one of the station's four generator units.
The solar farm stemmed from a research project to ascertain if energy harnessed from the sun could be used to power a traditional coal-fuelled power station.
Started in 2004, the research was a success with results showing the farm could heat the water to the required 285 degrees needed to run the turbine.
The test, using 1300 square metres of mirrors proved that solar energy could be used to supplement the coal, and stage two of the project was commissioned.
Constructed in conjunction with the company Solar Heat and Power the original test project's results made the next stage a viable option at Liddell.
The project will displace coal usage in one of Liddell's four units, harnessing the sun's power to reduce the amount of coal to be burned, and is the first project of its kind in Australia.
The farm will be constructed from special solar mirrors that will reflect the sun's rays to heat the water for the turbine system.
Although not completely replacing coal in the system the amount of coal that will be burned will be reduced.
According to Macquarie Gener-ation's public relations manager Rob Cooper construction at the site is already underway.
Installation of the mirrors has begun with the completion date for the project anticipated to be early 2007.
"Once the farm is integrated into the power station's infrastructure it will begin operation," Mr Cooper said.
The solar farm at Liddell Power Station is the second major renewable energy program in the Singleton district.
The biggest solar energy farm in the southern hemisphere to date was constructed by EnergyAustralia and is located at Whittingham, just south of Singleton.
This 407kW solar farm covers a 2.75 hectare site.
Stage one was commissioned in December 1997 and stage two in 1998. It continues to be owned and operated by EnergyAustralia.
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