A set of gas generators have been installed to provide power for EDL Energy’s hybrid renewable energy microgrid, which supports Gold Fields’ Agnew gold mine in Western Australia. The 56-megawatt (MW) Agnew hybrid renewable microgrid system — Australia’s largest — consists of a new off-grid 23-MW power station incorporating gas, photovoltaic solar and diesel power generation, and 18-MW wind generation, a 13-MW battery and an advanced microgrid control system.
To meet the crucial requirement of continuous and reliable power at temperatures up to 45°C, Gold Fields used nine Cummins QSV91G gas generators. The QSV91G generators can operate in high ambient conditions and provide high impact step loads and fast ramp rates while maintaining power quality, according to the company. Cummins also installed two QSK60 diesel generator sets to provide additional power during peak periods of demand, in addition to providing the ability to black start the power station in the event of a power outage. A Cummins digital master control (DMC8000) was also installed to communicate with EDL’s microgrid controller to balance the power demand from the mine.
Gold Fields wanted to create an innovative hybrid renewable energy solution at the site, which has operated for more than 30 years, with an annual gold production of approximately 220,000 ounces.
