Powering Construction Sites with Low Emissions Solutions
Delivering a low emission and efficient power generation solution for the Eglinton Village estate development in WA.

Powering Construction Sites with Low Emissions Solutions

Delivering a low emissions temporary power solution for the Eglinton Village estate development.
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Project Overview

In a first for Western Australia, Cedar Woods launched WA’s first-ever residential community energy sharing network as part of Eglinton Village estate development.

Fuelfix was commissioned to provide a low emissions temporary power solution for the project to reduce fuel reliance and resultant emissions.

Challenge

The key to the success of this project was the ability to provide reliable and continual power to the portable sales office without the drawbacks of a traditional diesel generator. Cedar Woods was looking for a stand-alone, energy-efficient and greener power solution that could operate completely off-grid, deliver operational efficiencies and reduce emissions.

To avoid the costs, noise, maintenance and refuelling requirements that a diesel-powered generator would have introduced, Fuelfix recommended an alternative and greener option to power their sales operations.

Fuelfix approach

Through extensive analysis of fuel consumption and energy requirement data of power systems in remote Mining, Construction and Civils sites, Fuelfix has designed micro solutions that aim to significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and lower associated costs based on 4 principles:

  • Where feasible, utilise renewable energy by using power conversion systems along with battery storage.
  • Eliminate energy waste (fuel waste), by using batteries to store excess energy.
  • Ensure that the traditional hydrocarbon-based power generation systems are used at their most efficient.
  • Deliver solutions that offer lower cost of ownership as compared to traditional power solutions.
Solution

After an assessment of the site requirements and power needs, our team adapted the scope of the project to replace the diesel generator, traditionally used for this type of application, with our Fuelfix Go-Greener solutions that perfectly matched the project’s requirements.

Fuelfix supplied an off-grid hybrid solution, scaled to suit the client’s needs which comprised of a Hybrid Power System and Solar Power system.

The battery storage was used as a reservoir to store solar energy and energy from the backup generator. The battery system then supplied this stored energy efficiently to the load (in this case the portable sales office).

 

Hybrid Solar Power Systems graphic explaining how it works. A Hybrid Solar Power System is usually composed of solar panels, a battery energy storage unit and a small diesel generator. In this configuration, the solar panels are used as a primary source of power to charge the battery storage unit and directly power the crib or portable office when possible. Excess energy is stored in the energy storage unit for later use. The diesel generator is only used as a secondary power source, as a backup generator to charge the battery when getting low and solar energy is not available.
Verdict

We provided a reliable, easy to use and 100% off-grid solution that performed as per Cedar Wood’s requirements and expectations, with all the benefits of a green powered solution.

Following a thorough examination of the data captured by the Fuelfix supplied hybrid power system over a 30-days period (720 hours of operational time), we have already seen great savings in fuel and CO2 emissions along with reduced noise pollution and movement on site.

Savings:
- 2,150L of diesel
- $4,300 of fuel costs
Based on fuel costs at AUD1.5/L and other costs related to the use of a diesel generator
- 5.8 tonnes CO2 emissions reduction
According to Tree For Life (TFL Carbon - treesforlife.org.au), we estimate it requires 29 trees to offset this amount of CO2 emissions over a minimum of 30 years.

Fuelfix Pathway to a clean energy future

This project is in line with our Two Pathways, One Goal Strategy which includes designing and delivering solutions that provide opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and maintain efficient operations with better environmental outcomes.

By optimising the use of solar, battery and backup generation, Fuelfix hybrid power systems deliver operational efficiencies with a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel costs.

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