Todd's scoping and background report

Kooma Energy Project Background

EWB and KTOAI have been working together for the past three years. EWB volunteer Nicole Teo was initially involved in assisting the Kooma people in developing and implementing a waste management plan. Since then, Nicole has worked with KTOAI to initiate several other projects and nurtured a close working partnership and friendship between EWB and KTOAI.

If you were fortunate enough to attend the EWB national conference in 2007 then you will remember the thought provoking and inspiring sessions with Cheryl Buchanan (KTOAI Chairperson and Kooma elder).

Earlier this year, I had the great pleasure of visiting Murra Murra and Bendee Downs for an initial consultation and site survey for a potential sustainable energy project, and again a few weeks ago to present my recommendations to the KTOAI Board. The Board were as excited about the project as me (well, almost!). Virgin Blue has donated a generous $145,000 for the project, and so now it is all systems go!

Scoping the energy project

During my initial scoping visit, Cheryl Buchanan (KTOAI Chairperson) identified the following (very wise) goals addressing their energy needs:

  • Take care of the environment;
  • Become self-sufficient;
  • Reduce running costs;
  • Lead by example;
  • Improve reliability of electricity supply; and
  • Provide alternative sources of income.

Practically all of the stationary energy use at Murra Murra and Bendee Downs is from electricity, as it is too remote for gas or other fuels to be practical.

The properties being in “the outback”, wind and water do not lend themselves as good energy sources for electricity generation. However, it is definitely “sunburnt country”, and so the decision to go solar was a no-brainer.

The properties are grid-connected, which allow excess electricity generated by solar panels to be sold to the grid. Likewise, shortfalls in generation can be made up by buying electricity from the grid.

Being grid-connected by a long Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) transmission line, the properties do not enjoy the same reliability as many of us do in infrastructure-rich cities. They experience occasional power failures that may last between a couple of hours and a couple of days. Installing a grid-connected solar panel system will not help this. So, if the KTOAI are to achieve their goal of increasing the reliability of their electricity supply, they will need to install energy storage (e.g. batteries), or a back-up generator. Given the cost constraints of the first option, the latter option is more feasible. There is a diesel generator at a sheering shed on the property that may be able to be relocated (see photo below).

 

More challenging was assessing the energy usage on the properties and how it may be reduced while still meeting the needs of the community. As caretakers of Murra Murra, Nefertiti (the artistic talent behind EWB’s new Indigenous-design t-shirts, bookmarks and cards) and her husband Nash (also a talented artist), had already made a good start by replacing light globes with efficient ones. Thanks to my energy-frugal nature, I identified a myriad of ways to further reduce energy consumption. I am recommending a stretch-goal of halving energy usage across the two properties!

With an estimate of the current energy usage, local renewable resource data, and the above goals in mind, I performed some techno-economic modelling. The graph below shows estimated performance for a 10kW solar panel system, based on varying energy savings.


Meeting KTOAI's Goals - Todd's scoping report

I estimate that, if successful, the project will contribute towards KTOAI’s goals in the following ways:

  • Taking care of the environment: 60 tonnes CO2-eq per annum reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
  • Become self-sufficient: Generation of more electricity than they use
  • Reduce running costs: $2,500 revenue instead of $5000 cost per annum for electricity usage
  • Lead by example: The project can be used as a demonstration of what can be achieved using solar energy and energy efficiency.
  • Improve reliability of electricity supply: If KTOAI decide to install a back-up generator, then yes, reliability will be improved.
  • Provide alternative sources of income: Revenue from selling electricity to the grid will provide income. Further, the project presents the opportunity to formally train Kooma people in several areas, which would increase their income earning prospects.

 

In addition to the project-specific goals above, there are EWB-KTOAI partnership goals that should be addressed by the project:

  • Develop Kooma community capacity through direct transfer of knowledge and skills and providing opportunities for training.
  • Further develop an engaging and meaningful relationship between EWB volunteers and the Kooma nation that promotes mutual respect.
  • Share the lessons and experiences from the project and partnership to inspire others to work towards positive change.

The project’s success toward these goals and its long-term sustainability require effective involvement of Kooma people in the project wherever appropriate.