Innovation sets a
precedent for future infrastructure
31 October 2017
Cardno, as part of the
Logan Water
Infrastructure Alliance in
South East Queensland, is pleased to be part
of the development of a
water chlorination facility powered entirely
off-grid, in what is believed to be an Australian first.
Logan City Council's water reservoir at Round Mountain sets a precedent
for the roll out of future infrastructure by harnessing
solar power,
battery storage and
water treatment technologies to provide a safe,
reliable
water supply for residents in one of Australia’s fastest
growing areas.
Sized to service a large, developing area in south west Logan, the 20ML
reservoir is expected to be fully developed in the next 15 to 20 years.
Until the population grows, water is retained in reservoirs, pump
stations and pipelines for extended periods, with potentially adverse
effects on quality.
Testing of chlorine levels in the system confirmed the need for a
dedicated water chlorination facility, but the challenge was to deliver
a solution in a relatively remote location with no sealed access road,
and no connection to mains
power for the foreseeable future.
After several
technologies for the site were investigated, the solution
was to turn to a solar powered electro-chlorination facility - a salt
water chlorinator with 323 panels on the roof of the reservoir, with
power generated from the sun stored in a 95kWh capacity Tesla battery
power pack. The setup, a self-contained ‘micro power grid’, will provide
savings in capital and operational costs in comparison to installing
main grid-connected poles and wires. Moreover, salt for the chlorinator
can be delivered in a standard 4WD vehicle in all weather conditions
with no need to upgrade the unsealed sections of connecting roads to
allow all-weather access for chemical tankers.
The renewable benefits of solar energy will translate to reduced
greenhouse gas emissions, enhanced sustainability of the asset, and
reduced capital and operational costs over the expected lifespan of the
facility. The low maintenance asset is also safe for Logan City Council
staff to operate.
As part of Logan Water Infrastructure Alliance, Cardno staff were
involved in scoping, analytics and engineering design activities
including simulations, modelling, sizing and selection of the 323-panel
solar array and storage battery, and managed the tender, scoping
documentation and commissioning process.
--ENDS--
Source: Cardno - www.cardno.com
Contact: natalie.muir@cardno.com.au or harry.fernandez@cardno.com.au
External Links: For an overview of the Logan Water Infrastructure Alliance, click here, http://www.logan.qld.gov.au/environment-water-and-waste/water/major-projects
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