Onslow Iron leading hybrid energy
A combination of gas and renewables is powering clean energy solutions at Mineral Resources (ASX: MIR) Onslow Iron project, in the west Pilbara region of WA.
MinRes’ Ken’s Bore mine site, located 200km southwest of Onslow, is fully powered by a hybrid gas and solar system that supplies energy to key site infrastructure and facilities including crushers, loaders, reclaimers and the company’s Mungala Resort.
At the centre of the project is the Ken’s Bore power station, boasting an installed capacity of 26MW and capable of displacing 60mL of diesel each year — effectively reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 40,000tpa.
The energy solution resulted from a collaboration between MinRes’ energy, engineering and construction teams to develop the power station and a dedicated high-pressure gas pipeline. The pipeline runs 16km underground and connects the Goldfields gas pipeline directly to the gas-fired power station at Ken’s Bore.
The integrated system features a 3.8MW solar array composed of 6600 panels and equipped with a single axis tracking system to maximise solar yield — offsetting 2.6mL of diesel annually.
Enhancing the hybrid solution is a 3.3MW battery energy storage system that provides immediate output during rapid changes in cloud cover while also allowing gas generators to operate at higher and more efficient capacities.
MinRes energy operations and development general manager Rowan Hill says the power solution is the company’s first self-built gas pipeline and power station.
“Combined with the battery energy system and solar array, this facility operates with 30% lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than an equivalent diesel installation,” he said.
“With the ability to expand the gas generation, solar array and energy storage, this facility is future-proofed to enable further GHG emissions reduction and to support complete mine electrification.”
MinRes energy engineering and projects manager James Ross says the pipeline, power station and solar farm were delivered with a small project team working closely with MinRes’ engineering and construction division.
“Our execution methodology has enabled the cost-effective delivery of power to the station as part of the Onslow Iron project,” he said.
“In the design of gas and renewable power generation, we’ve delivered a facility capable of expansion for future mining needs and the implementation of decarbonisation initiatives.”
The MinRes energy team continues to work on reducing emissions across its operations while providing?clean energy critical to the sustainability of both the industry and the wider community.