4,400 homes in Adelaide, Australia, to be powered by biogas, solar
More than 4,400 homes in Southern Adelaide, Australia, will soon be powered by a new renewable energy hub that utilises biogas and solar power.
The hub includes the state’s first solar farm built on landfill that is sealed to prevent harmful emissions leaking into the atmosphere. The 1,780 solar panels at the Southern Region Waste Resource Authority’s (SRWRA) Seaford Heights site can generate up to 600 kW of electricity.
SRWRA is a regional subsidiary established by Marion, Onkaparinga, and Holdfast Bay councils, which operates waste management services on their behalf.
When combined with the biogas facility, this will generate 25,000 MW of electricity per year – enough to power more than 4,400 homes each day in the site’s surrounding suburbs.
The power is fed into the SA Power Networks’ grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 135,000 tonnes per year.
City of Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the new hub would deliver ‘significant benefits’ to the local environment and economy, according to Onkaparinga Now.
“This innovative project demonstrates how the three councils are responding to the impacts of climate change, reducing emissions, and building community resilience,” said Mayor Thompson.
“I’m excited to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and – through the under-construction SRWRA material recovery facility alongside the landfill site – also reduce our reliance on recycling companies.”
“Building an eco-friendly power station on landfill makes good use of wasteland,” added City of Marion Mayor Kris Hanna.
“We are reducing pollution and indirectly getting a return for ratepayers at the same time. This project is an important collaboration with neighbouring councils.”
Chris Adams, CEO of SRWRA, said: “This is an important step in transforming the site into a resource recovery and sustainability centre that will benefit the community for generations.”
Source : bioenergy
