community information booklet - thunderbolt energy hub
TRANSCRIPT
Community Information BookletVersion 2 – September 2020
thunderboltenergyhub.com.au
1800 966 207
Joanna Murphy, Project Manager
DeGrussa Solar and Storage Project
Dubbo Solar Hub
Western DownsGreen Power Hub
Parkes Solar FarmGriffith Solar Farm
Coleambally Solar Farm
Numurkah Solar Farm
Hornsdale Wind Farms 1, 2, 3
Hornsdale Power Reserve
Bulgana Green Power Hub
Neoen produce green electricity from renewable sources such as sunlight and wind using mature, tried and tested technologies. We are also leaders in energy storage.
AUSTRALIA
Australia
EUROPE & AFRICA
Finland
Ireland
France
Portugal
Zambia
Mozambique
AMERICAS
USA
Mexico
Jamaica
El Salvador
Ecuador
Colombia
Argentina
GLOBALLYThe company is headquartered in Paris, France, and has two Australian offices – in Sydney and Canberra.
We operate across renewable energy technologies including solar, wind and storage in Europe, Central America, Africa, the Middle East and Australia.
LOCALLYNeoen Australia began operations in 2012. Over the last seven years the company has initiated the development of more than 1.5GW of solar and wind projects through organic growth, local partnerships and strategic acquisitions.
Page 1
W O R L D ’ S F I R S T B I G B A T T E R YH O R N S D A L E P O W E R R E S E R V E
FIRST STAGE TOOK LESS THAN SIX MONTHS TO
BUILD
• 150MW Lithium-ion battery located next to Hornsdale Wind Farm
• Owned and operated by Neoen
• Installed and maintained by Tesla
REDUCES RISK OF BLACKOUT
IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
• Provides grid stability services
• Saved SA energy consumers over $150 million in its first two years
• Now testing grid scale inertia services in a world-first
Page 2
T H U N D E R B O LT E N E R G Y H U B O V E R V I E W
380MW wind farm
120MW solar farm
400MW battery
Will create 600+ jobs
during construction
Page 3
Page 4
D E L I V E R I N G C H E A P E R E N E R G Y F O R I N D U S T R Y
Laverton Steelworks have agreed to take power from Neoen's 128 MW Numurkah Solar Farm under a 15-year deal. GFG Alliance’s Executive Chairman Sanjeev Gupta said the deal would help lower energy costs at Laverton.
LAVERTON STEELWORKSVICTORIA
DEGRUSSA MININGWESTERN AUSTRALIADeGrussa is the largest off-grid solar battery storage project in Australia. It powers a gold and copper mine in remote WA. Commissioned in June 2016, it provides a solar and storage solution to the majority of the mine’s daytime electricity requirements, offsetting up to 20% of total diesel consumption annually.
NECTAR FARMSVICTORIABulgana Green Power Hub, consisting of 196 MW of wind backed by a 20MW battery, is co-located with agri-business Nectar Farms to provide secure and affordable energy. Nectar Farms is using the latest in hydroponic glasshouse and plant technology to create a 10 hectare state of the art facility and over 130 local jobs.
Page 5
D E L I V E R I N G C H E A P E R E N E R G Y T O R E T A I L E R S
Providing energy output of 100 MW of the 150 MW solar farm for 12 years.
ENERGY AUSTRALIACOLEAMBALLY SOLAR FARM
SIMPLY ENERGYPARKES & GRIFFITH SOLAR FARMProviding 100% of the energy output of the two solar farms for 13 years.
Actew AGLHORNSDALE WIND FARMProviding 100% of the energy output of the 309 MW wind farm for 20 years.
Page 6
S I T E M A P
Macdonald River
Nerstane Rd
Bendemeer Station Rd
Existi
ng 33
0kV l
ineExist
ing 330kV line
Kentucky Rd
Wol
lun R
d
Noam
limba
Ave
Oxley Hwy
New
Engla
nd H
wy
Bendemeer
Kentucky
Wollun
Woolbrook
Uralla
2km
Sydney
TamworthUralla
Armidale
Macdonald River
Nerstane Rd
Bendemeer Station Rd
Existi
ng 33
0kV l
ineExist
ing 330kV line
Kentucky Rd
Wol
lun R
d
Noam
limba
Ave
Oxley Hwy
New
Engla
nd H
wy
Bendemeer
Kentucky
Wollun
Woolbrook
Uralla
2km
Sydney
TamworthUralla
Armidale
Page 7 Page 8
P R O J E C T L I F E C Y C L E
Page 9
$ 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 *A N N U A L LY
in local community benefitsSome of the options we are
investigating for community benefits:
*based on the current project size
Community benefit fund
The funds would be allocated to local community projects
through a competitive annual grants process. The fund could be administered either by Council or
a local organisation
Possibility to invest in the solar farm
Would you like the opportunity to invest some of your money in this project and make an annual
return?
Solar and battery storage for households
Tell us your ideas
To submit your ideas, please fill out our online survey:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/ neoenthunderbolt
Support of local art and tourism
Are there any local arts or tourism ideas that you would like to see or
support?
Page 10
E N V I R O N M E N T A L B E N E F I T S
E C O N O M I C B E N E F I T S
POWERING227,200 HOMES
REMOVING316,760 CARS
FROM THE ROAD
PLANTING9.57 MILLION TREES
DISPLACING945,400 TONNESOF CO2 EMISSIONS
$1.01 BILLIONINFRASTRUCTURE
INVESTMENT
600+ JOBSCREATED DURING
CONSTRUCTION
20-30 JOBSCREATED DURING
OPERATIONS
34-36 MONTHSCONSTRUCTION
DURATION
ABILITY TO PRODUCE APPROXIMATELY
1 , 1 6 7 , 2 0 0 0 M W hPER YEAR WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO:
Page 11
E M P L O Y M E N T O P P O R T U N I T I E S
S U P P L I E R O P P O R T U N I T I E S
Anyone interested in working on the project, can register their interest via the ‘work with us’ page on the project website.
In the pre-construction period, we will hold a Local Employment and Supplier Networking session.
We anticipate that construction could commence in 2023 or 2024.
Engineering, Procurement & Construction Contractor
Goods and services we expect to be procured:Accommodation
CleanersCrane (minor lifts)
ConcretersConcrete supply (offsite supply)
Earthworks plant (wet and dry hire)Fencing and gates
Food and catering serviceFreight
Fuel
Material testingMechanical fitter/maintenance
Operation and maintenance facility constructionQuarry products
Septic pump out servicesSmall equipment hire
Transport (minor)Waste management (liquid and solid)
Water (construction and potable)Welding & engineering fabrication (site services)
Civil & MechanicalLoader
ExcavatorGraderRoller
Dump TruckWatercarts
Forklift and/or Telehandler
TrucksPile DriverConcretersPipelayers
General Labour
ElectricalElectricians
Electricity installationElectrical Trade Assistants
SubstationLand manager
Equipment maintenanceAdministrationGeneral Labour
Page 12
C O M B I N I N G A G R I C U L T U R E & S O L A R
There are numerous other international examples of agriculture being successfully combined with solar. Neoen are investigating a number of different opportunities that could work in Australia.
“There are no issues with sheep-grazing co-existing with solar farms. Providing you have the right breed of merino or merino-cross and get stock numbers right, I estimate that you can reach at least 80% of normal
stocking rates. Plus, in areas with a lot of sun the panels provide plenty of shade for livestock. It’s an opportunity
and a win-win for farmers and renewable energy producers.”
– Tom Warren Host Landowner, Dubbo Solar Farm
After a successful three-week trial at Parkes Solar Farm in 2018, merino sheep are now being grazed under the panels at all Neoen solar farms (Parkes, Dubbo, Griffith, Coleambally, Numurkah).
Neoen are working with agricultural researchers to build and share knowledge about optimising the productivity of sheep grazing under panels.
Page 13
ABOUT WIND FARMS
Q1. How long does it take to build a wind farm?The construction timeframe depends on the project size and the number of workers deployed on site. For a 500MW power plant, a 24-month timeframe is expected.
Q2. What technology does Neoen use to build its wind farms?Neoen’s projects use premium quality wind turbines provided by leading manufacturers. This is selected through a competitive process for each project. All components come with long warranty periods – wind turbines are generally warrantied for 20 to 25 years.
Q3. What is the lifecycle of a wind farm?A wind farm will typically operate for between 25 and 30 years.
Q4. How do wind turbines work?Wind turbines are designed to convert wind into mechanical energy by rotating the turbine blades.The mechanical energy is converted into electricity via a generator in the nacelle, which is sent directly to the grid.The electricity generated by the turbine is proportional to the wind speed cubed. For example, a wind turbine in 8m/s wind will produce about 8 times as much electricity as a wind turbine in 4m/s wind.This is why it’s important to place turbines in high and consistently windy areas to achieve the lowest cost power generation for consumers.
Q5. How tall are the wind turbines?Wind turbines are generally 150 to 270m high (at the highest point). There’s approximately 500 to 1,000m between each turbine, but this varies between projects. Hub heights of turbines may vary between 90 to 160m.Turbines continue to grow in size each year i.e. each new turbine model is larger than its predecessor. Often during permitting, higher hub and tip heights will be requested to accommodate the next generation of machines.
Q6. What are the advantages of taller, modern turbines?Economic: Larger turbines generate more and cheaper energy because they can access higher wind speeds at higher elevations. They also generate savings in civil and electrical costs (foundations, roads, cables, etc.).Visual: Larger turbines are spaced further apart (up to 1,000m) and have lower rotational speeds than smaller turbines.Noise: Larger turbines don’t necessarily make more noise than smaller turbines, due to their slower speed and improvements in blade design.Environmental: Larger turbines require less concrete, roads and cables per unit of energy generated. This reduces carbon emissions, construction traffic, and vegetation clearance. Their blades are also above the flight paths of most birds, which greatly reduces the impact to avifauna.
Q7. How do you stop wind turbines impacting the landscape?We understand that wind turbines do alter the landscape. But we are committed to working with communities to ensure our wind farms have the least possible detrimental impact on visual amenity.We encourage individuals and groups with questions about visual impact and solutions to engage with us early.
Page 14
ABOUT SOLAR FARMS
Q8. How does solar generation work?When photons of light shine on a solar panel they knock electrons free on an electrical circuit and produce electricity. Inverters regulate the accumulation of electricity from a selection of solar panels and at the substation the electricity is distributed to the grid. The angle of incidence of the light ray on the panel is important in terms of the amount of energy that can be extracted from it. This is why installing tracking systems that keep the panels tilted towards the sun helps increase the energy generation.
Q9. What technology does Neoen use to build its solar farm?Neoen uses similar technology to that used in residential solar photovoltaic installations with the main difference being that panels are often mounted on systems that track the sun through the sky. Neoen is experienced in financing, constructing and operating solar farms and in all areas only engages experienced contractors with a proven track record. The Thunderbolt Energy Hub will utilise premium tier 1 quality solar panels and battery technology provided by leading manufacturers.Neoen’s projects use premium quality panels and inverters provided by leading manufacturers. This is selected through a competitive process for each project. All components come with long warranty periods and performance guarantees.
Q10. How long does it take to build a solar farm?The construction timeframe depends on the project size and the number of workers deployed on site. For a 100 MW power plant, an 8 to 12-month timeframe is typical, with a peak construction period of 2 to 3 months.
Q11. What is the life cycle of a solar farm?A solar farm will typically operate for between 25 and 30 years. Tier 1 solar panels generally come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. Depending on the local environment, they can generate electricity for 30 years or more with only about 0.5% efficiency loss each year.
Q12. How high are solar panels?Generally speaking solar panels have a dimension of 1m x 2m. Rows of solar panels are usually 30, 60 or 90 meter long. And rows of panels are separated by 5 to 7 meters. However, this varies from project to project. Wide spacing reduces shadowing on the panels in the early morning and late afternoon, and also allows the land to continue to be used for sheep grazing.
Q13. Will the solar panels generate glare?Improved manufacturing techniques on tier 1 panels include anti-reflective (AR) coatings on solar panels. This increases the amount of energy converted by the panels from sunlight. In addition, by minimising reflective losses from (or trapping more light within) solar panels, their performance can be increased while costs are lowered.Because of these innovations in AR coatings and detailed research solar panel installations are now commonly found in airports around the world where any issue of glare would be highly scrutinised. For example, the Adelaide airport now has 5,000 solar panels with a capacity of 1.28 MW on the roof of the terminal and car park.
Q14. Will the solar array alter the landscape?We understand that solar arrays do alter the visual character of an area. This is why we work with communities to ensure they have the lowest possible impact on visual amenity.We encourage individuals and groups with questions about visual impact and solutions to engage with us early.Overall, we believe that emissions reductions – as well as the immediate and long-term benefits that solar farms bring to communities – offset some loss of visual amenity.
Q15. How is any potential fire risk managed?There is very minimal fire risk associated with photovoltaic panels or solar farms.There is also a cleared vegetation zone around the edges of the solar farms to prevent fire spreading. This is complemented by a strict vegetation management plan.
Page 15
ECONOMY
Q16. Do renewable projects benefit the Australian and local economy?Each project benefits the local community by creating employment. At Neoen’s Coleambally Solar Farm 300 people were employed locally during the construction phase and five are indirectly employed locally in full-time positions during operations. Neoen provides opportunities for local contractors to submit tenders and local jobseekers to seek employment by hosting a series of contractor sessions in the local area prior to any construction commencing. In addition, Neoen establishes a community fund for each solar farm to support community group projects.
Q17. How much do renewables cost compared with other energy sources?The current cost of wholesale energy is $80-$100 per MWh on average. This comprises of existing coal, existing gas and renewable energy. The wholesale cost of large-scale renewable energy is considerably lower than this at approximately $40 per MWh.The wholesale costs of the individual sources of generation in 2020 are:• Existing coal: approximately $30-$60 per megawatt
hour• New large-scale renewables: approximately $40 per
MWh• Gas generation: approximately $120 per megawatt
hour; and• New coal: approximately $90+ per megawatt hour
Q18. Who pays for any road upgrades required?Neoen pays for any upgrades to State or Local Government or landowner roads required for transporting wind turbine components to site. If we damage roads, we will pay for repairs.
Q19. Who will pay for any electrical transmission upgrades required?Neoen pays for any electrical transmission upgrades necessary to connect and operate the project in
the electricity grid. This includes construction and maintenance costs for the life of the project.
Q20. Does Neoen require government subsidies to build its projects?Neoen does not require government subsidies to finance its projects. We finance our projects through a combination of our own equity and long-term bank loans. However, we sometimes enter into agreements with governments or businesses to sell the power produced by our projects.
Q21. Who assesses the projects?All Neoen projects meet strict State and Federal Government regulations and are assessed under these regulations. We work closely with governments to ensure we meet all legal requirements and exceed these requirements wherever possible.
Q22. What happens when the project ends?At the end of a project life cycle, the turbines and solar panels are removed and the site is rehabilitated.This is a commitment we make to the landholders and the State government, which is in the development approval and our contract with the host landholders.After the assets are removed, most of the materials are reclaimed or recycled. This is because the steel, copper, lithium and other materials they are made of retain significant value.
Q23. Do wind or solar farms cause property values to decrease?Neoen fully appreciates that for most households, their home is their primary asset and that factors which may affect its value are of deep significance. Accordingly, the company takes concerns regarding property values very seriously. However, Neoen is not aware of, and has not been presented with, any reliable, impartial research or evidence which establishes a correlation between real estate values and proximity to renewable infrastructure. Anecdotally, property values around several of our sites have increased.The most recent and relevant study carried out in Australia was commissioned by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and published by planning consultancy Urbis in July 2016. This report comprised both an analysis of available sales data and a ‘literature review’ of Australian and international studies (including a 2009 report prepared for the NSW Valuer-General’s office). Its conclusions are most easily understood when divided into ‘agricultural’ and ‘lifestyle’ land.Whilst property values are influenced by a range of factors and it is therefore difficult to determine if solar farms (or other similar infrastructure) can cause land values on neighbouring agriculture properties to increase or decrease, it is not expected that the Thunderbolt Energy Hub would affect the productivity of neighbouring agricultural properties.
Page 16
HEALTH AND CULTURE
Q24. Are there any health risks associated with wind farms or solar farms?There are nearly 200,000 wind turbines installed worldwide — many of them in more densely populated areas close to houses.Some 17 reviews of research literature from these leading health and research organisations concluded there is no published evidence linking wind turbines with adverse health effects:• World Health Organisation• Australia’s National Health and Medical Research
Centre• UK Health Protection Agency• US National Research Council
Solar panels are placed on more than 25% of Australian homes, and have been on homes across the world for the past 15 years.No health issues have been associated with solar panels, and the Goyder Renewables Zone will use the same type of technology.
Q25. Can wind turbine noise affect local residents?Before it can operate, a wind farm has to demonstrate that noise levels at neighbouring residences will meet
strict noise limits. These limits are designed to ensure that noise from a wind farm is not intrusive for the average person.
Q26. Can noise from solar farms affect local residents?Solar farms create only very slight audible noise during operations (from the inverters).People in nearby dwellings will not be able to hear it.
Q27. Will the project reduce air quality?Monitoring dust levels during construction is a basic requirement of each project. We use dust suppression measures wherever possible.Dust-generating activities are assessed during windy conditions and are stopped and rescheduled if adequate control of dust levels cannot be achieved.All machinery is checked during site inspections and daily pre-start checks. This ensures all machinery has appropriate emission control devices, is in good working order, and is maintained correctly.
Q28. Is cultural heritage taken into consideration?Neoen complies with all legislation, including laws regarding the protection of cultural heritage. A cultural heritage assessment forms part of initial studies as does consultation with local Indigenous groups to ensure cultural heritage is protected.
Page 17
ENVIRONMENT
Q29. Do wind farms or solar panels impact flora and fauna?We engage specialist consultants for detailed flora and fauna surveys to determine the ecological attributes of the land.On all of our projects, we aim to minimise the impact on flora and fauna by designing projects outside areas of high conservation significance, and adopting control measures during construction.During the detailed design, wind turbines will be micro-sited to minimise the potential impact on fauna habitat. Turbine heights will be selected to minimise the overlap between rotor swept area and bird flight heights.Other mitigation measures include:• preparing management plans• identifying ‘no-go zones’ within the project site• conducting pre-clearance surveys
We also consult with government departments of environment and biodiversity throughout development, construction and operation of projects, as well as local non-government organisations.
Q30. Do wind turbines or solar panels affect farm or domestic animals?
WindWe built and operate the Hornsdale Wind Farm across numerous properties near Jamestown in South Australia.Stock, including sheep and cattle, take a couple of days to get used to wind turbines, then are very comfortable with them. They rub up against turbines and use the shade from the towers during summer.
SolarThere is also some indications that in dry areas on solar sites, condensation and run-off from the solar panels may support a higher growth rate of feed along the panel rows.We also own and operate the Coleambally, Griffith, and Parkes solar farms on multiple properties in NSW, as well as Numurkah in Victoria. We have conducted a successful sheep grazing trial at Parkes Solar Farm and sheep are now grazing on all of our operating solar farms.
Q31. Do wind farms harm birds?While wind farms are sometimes said to threaten birds, an energy governance study completed in Singapore has shown that wind farms harm 17 times fewer birds per unit of electricity produced than fossil fuel generation.Studies show that wind farms are probably responsible for impacting birds at rates that are:• 400 times fewer than cars• 500 times fewer than pesticides• 1200 times fewer than high-tension wires
Larger, modern turbines have blades that are well above the flight paths of the vast majority of birds.The main exception is raptors, and we carry out detailed nest surveys and place generous buffers of 1 to 2km around any viable nest that is found. There is also evidence to suggest that raptors adjust to the presence of turbines and will avoid the blades.
Page 18
