The Mudgee region could be home to the largest solar thermal power generator in the state.
As part of the Mudgee welcome to the Climate Torch Relay, the Mudgee District Environment Group launched the Solar-Thermal Power Generation Project.
Spokesman for the Group, Ian McAdam said Australia was one of the highest emitters of carbon in the world.
“We must do something to reduce it. Solar power generation plants located at strategic places around the state will reduce demands on the electricity grid.
“We have been negotiating with German solar energy company Epuron on the installation of a solar thermal power generator at Beryl.
“There is already a major electricity substation in place and eighty hectares would be enough to generate around 50 megawatts of electricity.
“Country Energy has been consulted and it means that having the power station close to a substation reduces the costs of injecting power into the grid.
Mr McAdam said water was always an issue in steam generation.
“In this case, water can be piped directly from the Cudgegong. Windamere could act as a storage facility if required,” he said.
Jessica Picton of Epuron said the company was currently conducting a feasibility study into the Beryl site.
“The project is in the early stages and once we have made a technical choice and determined the size of the generator it could take one to three years to construct.
We are hoping to access assistance for the project through the Federal Government’s $500 million Renewable Energy Fund.
“Details of this will be released in the Climate Bill, due to go before the house in the September session,” she said.
Mr McAdam said the Environment Group’s preference for the generator was a system whereby a percentage of the power generated could be diverted into storage by the use of ammonia dissociation technology. Stored energy could be added to the grid during peak evening demand.
“Solar-thermal power has enormous advantages for the environment.
“At present, energy is the highest emitter of CO2 in Australia.
“The Mt Piper emits 60,000 tonnes of CO2 per day.
“Solar thermal produces no carbon emissions,” Mr McAdam said.