Since early 2003, two 300 kilowatt wind turbines have supplied renewable energy to augment the diesel power generation system at Australia’s Mawson station in Antarctica. Levels of annual average renewable energy penetration are typically between 35% and 40%. In 2014, a record maximum annual average renewable energy penetration of 51% was achieved. This presentaiton examines the techniques used to bring about this increase with reference to the authors practical operational experience including the challenges and highlights of wind turbine maintenance, wind-diesel optimisation and low-load diesel operation

1. Mawson Station Antarctica
I S O L A T E D P O W E R S Y S T E M C O N N E C T 2 0 1 5
David Waterhouse
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2. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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Australian Antarctic Division
• Part of the Commonwealth Department
of the Environment
• Annual budget: $120 million
• 380 staff
• HQ Kingston Tasmania
• 500 expeditioners per year
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3. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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4. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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5. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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5595 km
Mawson
King Island
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6. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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7. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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Data Collection &
Analysis
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8. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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Katabatic winds – cold dense air
moves down the ice cap under gravity
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9. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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Key Project Facts
• Tech partners Enercon & Powercorp
• 2 summers
• 20 people
• $14.8 million
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10. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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 Tech partners Enercon & Powercorp  2 summers  20 people  $14.8 million
Images © Copyright Australian Antarctic Division

11. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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 Tech partners Enercon & Powercorp  2 summers  20 people  $14.8 million
Images © Copyright Australian Antarctic Division

12. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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 Tech partners Enercon & Powercorp  2 summers  20 people  $14.8 million
Images © Copyright Australian Antarctic Division

13. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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 Tech partners Enercon & Powercorp  2 summers  20 people  $14.8 million
Images © Copyright Australian Antarctic Division

14. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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 Tech partners Enercon & Powercorp  2 summers  20 people  $14.8 million
Images © Copyright Australian Antarctic Division

15. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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 Tech partners Enercon & Powercorp  2 summers  20 people  $14.8 million
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16. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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Heating Hot Water
4 x 140kW Diesel Gensets
Diesel Boiler
Station Electrical Load
2 x 300kW Wind Turbines
Electric Boiler & BGI
Control
System
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17. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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Low Load Diesel
• CAT 3306 engines
• 140 kW rating
• Single genset mode
• Minimum power set point 50kW (36%)
• 70% of duty at low load
• Some increase in glazing issues
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18. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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Operating Parameters
• 2 winter electricians + 1 summer
• 2 winter mechanics + 1 summer
• 12 month contracts
• Training
• Support, spares, SCADA
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19. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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20. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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Benefits
• 2.8 million litres diesel, 7000 tonnes
CO2 saved since 2003
• $263,000 direct annual savings
• Endurance and energy security
• Shipping flexibility
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21. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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2014 Energy Saving Initiatives
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22. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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2014 Energy Saving Initiatives
• Challenged existing practices
• Temperature reductions
• Switched off buildings
• Community awareness
• Heating load management
• Manual load management
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23. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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2014 Energy Saving Initiatives
• Challenged existing practices
• Temperature reductions
• Switched off buildings
• Community awareness
• Heating load management
• Manual load management
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24. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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2014 Energy Saving Initiatives
• Challenged existing practices
• Temperature reductions
• Switched off buildings
• Community awareness
• Heating load management
• Manual load management
51.4% Wind
Penetration
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25. I S O L AT E D P O W E R S Y S T E M
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Challenges for the Future
• Antarctic program priorities
• Proven technology
• Flexible, scalable, supportable
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26. Mawson Station Antarctica
I S O L A T E D P O W E R S Y S T E M C O N N E C T 2 0 1 5
David Waterhouse
Images © Copyright Australian Antarctic Division