The WA State Government is planning to begin trialing hybrid solar-diesel power to deliver the town’s water supply.
WA Water Minister, Mia Davies, said in a first for Western Australia, a hybrid generator would be installed to power a pump at the Broome borefield, using solar energy during the day and storing excess solar energy in batteries for the evening.
Ms Davies said solar-diesel power could be used for other Water Corporation bore pumps across the State if the 12-month trial was successful.
“The Water Corporation is continually looking at ways of increasing the use of renewable energy wherever they can to deliver services in a way that reduces the impact on the environment,” she said.
“Using a hybrid-powered bore will result in significant energy savings in remote locations where mains power is not available, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Minister said the hybrid-powered bore would operate in ‘solar only’ power mode during daylight hours and generate enough energy to pump 1.5 million litres of water a day.
At night time and in times of low light the pump can be powered directly from the additional energy stored in the batteries. The bore will also be capable of being powered directly from the diesel generator when needed.
