The Cattle Hill Wind Farm has officially spun to life, with the first Goldwind turbine connected to the Tasmanian transmission network and generating electricity.
Goldwind Managing Director John Titchen said Friday’s ceremony was a very exciting day in the life of the project.
“When fully operational, the Cattle Hill Wind Farm will generate enough clean energy to power the equivalent of approximately 63,500 Tasmanian homes each year,” Mr Titchen said.
“Significantly, the project will help the Tasmanian Government reach its goal of an additional 1,000- gigawatt hours of on-island renewable energy by the end of 2022, contributing around half of the additional generation needed.
“31 of 48 Goldwind turbines have been fully installed, with two main cranes now installing on site.
“Pre-commissioning of turbines has been underway for some time and generation commissioning is now ongoing.
“The project team has met a number of environmental challenges during the construction to date, such as bushfire, significant snow and wind, and scheduling of works to minimise disturbance during Tasmanian Wedge-tailed eagle breeding period.
“The highly focussed team, with high levels of communication with project stakeholders, have met and overcome these challenges with positivity and little impact to the overall project schedule.”
Mr. Titchen said approximately 150 jobs have been created during the construction period on site as well as additional offsite work from Tasmanian project partners.
This includes:
• Hazell Bros – construction of the civil and electrical works for the project
• TasNetworks – connecting the project to the transmission network
• Gradco – upgrades to local roads close to the project area ($10 million contract value)
• Haywards – providing 20 per cent of the tower components ($8 million contract value), and
• Many other smaller scale Tasmanian subcontractors and suppliers.
“Transportation of Goldwind turbine components started in March, following $10 million of road upgrades in the Central Highlands area by the Launceston based company, Gradco, with approximately 528 oversize loads having been transported to the project site,” Mr Titchen said.
Mr Titchen said the project partners were particularly proud to have been the first in Australia to install the cutting-edge technology to reduce impacts on the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle.
“Through artificial intelligence and machine learning during the turbine commissioning period, the IdentiFlight technology is expected to become highly proficient at identifying Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagles,” Mr. Titchen said.
16 IdentiFlight stations have been installed across the site that will detect Tasmanian Edge-tailed Eagles and shut down nearby turbines as needed. IdentiFlight has now started operating with initial turbine operation.
An official ceremony was held on site on Friday to mark the occasion of the first energy generation.
Category: News 2019
The first Australian mine to use wind generation as part of a large hybrid renewable microgrid.
Goldwind today announced the first Goldwind wind turbine components have arrived on site for the construction of the wind farm for the Agnew Hybrid Renewable Project at Gold Fields’ Agnew Mine, located in Western Australia’s northern goldfields region.
Goldwind announced in July that it had entered an agreement with global energy producer EDL to deliver the wind farm component of the project. EDL is engaged in designing, constructing, owning and operating the microgrid to power the Agnew Mine in two stages, under a 10-year agreement with Gold Fields.
Goldwind, together with Balance of Plant Joint Venture Partner NACAP, is currently providing Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services to the project. Goldwind will additionally provide Warranty Operations and Maintenance during the operations period.
“We are incredibly pleased to partner with EDL on the Agnew Mine project.
“Deliveries of the Goldwind turbine components are now underway. A total of 55 turbine components will be transported to site over the next few weeks. Installation of Goldwind turbines will start shortly.” said John Titchen, Managing Director Goldwind Australia.
EDL CEO James Harman said, “We look forward to working with Goldwind on the wind component of the project, which also includes an operating 23MW solar, gas and diesel power station, and a 13MW battery and an advanced microgrid control system under construction.
“Once completed in mid-2020, the Agnew Hybrid Renewable Project will have a total installed generation capacity of 54MW, with renewables providing over 50% of the Agnew Mine’s power requirements.” The Agnew project, which received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program, is the first to use wind generation as part of a large hybrid microgrid in the Australian mining sector. The wind farm will consist of five GW140/3.57MW Goldwind wind turbines at 110-metre hub height and 17.85 megawatts generated capacity.
25 September 2019
Goldwind Australia and IdentiFlight today announced installation of the IdentiFlight technology is complete and the technology is ready for the learning period at Cattle Hill Wind Farm in the Central Highlands of Tasmania.
IdentiFlight’s tower-mounted optical units are designed to detect flying objects and then use algorithms to identify them as eagles. If an eagle’s speed and flight path indicate a risk of collision with a wind turbine, a signal is sent to shut down the specific wind turbine.
Sixteen IdentiFlight towers and the IdentiFlight base station have been installed at the project site. Once the wind farm is operational, the location of the IdentiFlight towers will allow them to shut down any of the forty-eight Goldwind turbines as necessary. Thirteen of the forty-eight Goldwind turbines have been installed at the project site to date.
Tom Hiester, President of IdentiFlight International explained, “The IdentiFlight team recently completed installation, testing and calibration of the IdentiFlight units covering the Cattle Hill Wind Farm site. Through artificial intelligence and machine learning during the turbine commissioning period, the IdentiFlight technology will learn to become highly proficient at identifying Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagles.
“Goldwind and IdentiFlight have forged the working relationship needed to successfully implement such a sophisticated machine vision system over 10,000 kilometres away. As with all artificial intelligence systems, the more we see around the world, the better the system gets.”
John Titchen, Goldwind Managing Director, said this is the first installation of its kind in Australia.
“We’re very pleased to partner with the IdentiFlight team as the first wind farm in Australia to trial this newly available innovative eagle monitoring and detection technology. The system is one of the project’s key initiatives to mitigate Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle impacts and we look forward to sharing the results of this Australian trial following the wind farm becoming operational.”
Construction of the project is progressing on many work fronts, with approximately one hundred and fifty staff working on site. Installations of Goldwind turbines are ongoing with two main cranes currently on site. Commissioning of turbines will commence shortly. Construction of the wind farm is planned for completion by the end of 2019. Once operational, Cattle Hill Wind Farm will produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of approximately 63,500 Tasmanian homes.
26 July 2019
The substation and transmission line to link to the Cattle Hill Wind Farm to the transmission network has been completed and energised by TasNetworks.
Goldwind Australia Managing Director, John Titchen, said the substation’s completion is a major milestone for the project.
“Goldwind is pleased to be partnering with TasNetworks to achieve successful energisation of the substation for the Cattle Hill Wind Farm project. We have found the TasNetworks team to be very professional and capable.” said John.
“The commissioning and energisation of the substation is a key milestone in the project and has been made possible through a great team effort from everyone involved.” said TasNetworks CEO, Lance Balcombe.
“In addition to the construction of the substation on the wind farm site, approximately 130 metres of new transmission line has been built to connect the project to the existing transmission network and approximately three kilometres of existing transmission lines has been reconfigured to accommodate the future power output from the project.
“Construction of the project is progressing on many work fronts, six Goldwind turbines have now been installed and commissioning of turbines will commence shortly.
“Goldwind and Power China Resources Group appreciate the significant project progress, reflecting a team effort by many major project partners and approximately 150 staff currently working on site. Construction of the wind farm is planned for completion by the end of 2019.” commented John.
Once the turbines are commissioned and generating power later this year, power will be fed via transmission line to the Waddamana substation and then into the state-wide transmission network. Once operational, Cattle Hill Wind Farm will produce enough clean energy to power approximately 63,500 Tasmanian homes.
19th July 2019
Goldwind and UNSW Sydney celebrated the award of Goldwind’s research funding for the UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute, and the opening of the Goldwind – UNSW Joint Laboratory at University’s Sydney campus.
Goldwind and UNSW’s collaborative partnership commenced in 2017. Throughout the partnership, Goldwind has committed approximately $1.4 million in funding, supporting a variety of research initiatives and knowledge exchange opportunities.
“We’re pleased to continue to support UNSW’s focus in using cross-disciplinary research to find solutions to the challenges of our digital grid future.” said John Titchen, Managing Director for Goldwind Australia.
“Goldwind look forward to the growth of collaborative research and development that will benefit both Australia and China in an area that is critical to environmentally sustainable future energy sources.” commented John.
Professor Brian Boyle, UNSW Deputy-Vice-Chancellor Enterprise said UNSW is extremely pleased to continue partnering with Goldwind.
“We would like to thank Goldwind for its continued support across several different research initiatives for the University.”
“Our Digital Grid Futures Institute will play a critical role in future-proofing global energy systems to ensure reliable, secure, affordable, sustainable energy. The Institute will bring together researchers from different disciplines at UNSW, and from multiple perspectives, tackle the complicated issues related to our digital grid future.” said Professor Joe Dong, Institute Director.
Goldwind are on track to power one million Australian homes by 2020 using sustainable, clean energy provided by Goldwind’s advanced wind turbine technology.
15 July 2019
Goldwind has been awarded a contract for the supply and installation of Goldwind wind turbines for the Biala Wind Farm project in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. The wind farm, owned by *BJCE Australia, will consist of 31 x GW140/3.57MW Goldwind wind turbines at 110 metre hub height and 108.5 megawatts installed capacity.
Goldwind will provide turbine supply and installation services to the project, as well as long term Warranty Operations and Maintenance during the operations period. Goldwind currently provides operation and maintenance services at the nearby Gullen Range Wind Farm, also owned by BJCE Australia.
“Goldwind is pleased to continue its long-standing relationship with BJCE Australia in a partnership for the supply and installation of Goldwind wind turbines for the Biala Wind Farm project” said John Titchen, Managing Director Goldwind Australia.
Goldwind looks forward to working together with BJCE Australia and the local community during the construction and operation of Biala Wind Farm. The locally based Goldwind team, which has been in the area for over seven years, will be expanding to deliver the Biala project.” Titchen concluded.
Derek Powell, Deputy General Manager, BJCE Australia said, “Biala Wind Farm is a significant milestone for BJCE Australia. This project brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of 1GW of installed renewable generation in Australia by 2023. We are excited to share this renewable project and milestone with our long term partner, Goldwind.”
Detailed designs for the project are currently being prepared with construction expected to commence shortly. Goldwind are on track to power one million homes by 2020 using sustainable, clean energy provided by Goldwind’s advanced wind turbine technology.
*Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy (Australia) Holding Pty Ltd.
3 July 2019
Goldwind today announced it has entered an agreement with Energy Developments Pty Ltd (EDL) to deliver the wind farm project at the Gold Fields Agnew Gold Mine hybrid renewable energy project in the northern goldfields region of Western Australia.
The Agnew project, which received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as part of ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program, is the first Australian mine to use wind generation as part of a large hybrid microgrid. The wind farm will consist of five GW140/3.57MW Goldwind wind turbines at 110 metre hub height and 18 megawatts generated capacity.
EDL is engaged to design, construct, own and operate the microgrid to power the Agnew Mine in two stages, under a 10-year agreement with Gold Fields.
Goldwind, together with Balance of Plant Joint Venture Partner NACAP, will provide Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services to the project. Goldwind will additionally provide Warranty Operations and Maintenance during the operations period.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with EDL on the Agnew Mine project. Goldwind will deliver the wind farm project using our advanced permanent magnet direct-drive (PMDD) turbines.”
“The project will make a significant contribution towards Australia’s transition to a clean, renewable future” said John Titchen, Managing Director Goldwind Australia.
EDL CEO James Harman said, “As a leading global producer of sustainable distributed energy, EDL is pleased to be supporting Gold Fields’ Agnew Gold Mine through the development of a fully integrated hybrid renewable energy solution that will improve reliability, reduce operating costs and reduce environmental impact.
“We are looking forward to working with Goldwind and other partners to deliver for Gold Fields.”
3 July 2019
Goldwind announced it has entered an agreement with Advanced Circular Polymers to provide renewable energy for Australia’s largest plastics recycling plant in Somerton Victoria.
Power for the recycling plant will be provided by Goldwind’s Moorabool Wind Farm project, currently being constructed 25km south east of Ballarat.
The recycling plant, which has been part-funded by the Victorian Government, will transform large quantities of low-value contaminated mixed plastics from households into high-quality commodities that can go directly into the manufacture of new products.
John Titchen, Managing Director for Goldwind Australia, said the Advanced Circular Polymers plant is leading the way in innovative technology and boosting Victoria’s economy.
“We are extremely pleased to have entered into a partnership with this custom-designed plant featuring cutting edge technologies for resources utilisation.
“Goldwind will deliver the renewable energy for the recycling plant from our Moorabool Wind Farm project.
“There’s a great fit between Goldwind’s mission of innovating for a brighter tomorrow and the innovative sustainable solution provided by Advanced Circular Polymers.
“Recycling powered by renewable energy is a real step towards sustainability and will make a significant contribution towards Australia’s transition to a clean, renewable future.” commented John Titchen.
Goldwind’s Moorabool Wind Farm commenced construction in July 2018 and is progressing on many work fronts. Approximately 130 construction staff are working on site at present. All wind turbine foundations have been excavated and all concrete pours have been completed. The civil earthworks activities are nearing completion. Deliveries of Goldwind wind turbine components to the project site is ongoing and Goldwind wind turbines are now being erected on site. Up to 20 staff will make up the permanent maintenance and operations team once the wind farm is complete.
5 March 2019
Goldwind announced today Gradco has completed $10 million of road upgrades to existing roads within the Central Highlands region of Tasmania.
Gradco, a Tasmanian company based in Launceston, was engaged by Goldwind in mid-2018 to undertake works to facilitate the delivery of wind turbine components and associated equipment to the Cattle Hill Wind Farm site.
Senior Project Manager for Gradco, Will Diprose said completion of the works was a collective effort by many employees and subcontractors.
“Gradco had a team of over 65 full time staff throughout the project, whilst being supported by approximately 80 subcontractors at various stages of the works. Local subcontractors engaged ranged from surveyors to plant and equipment hire to traffic management and cleaners.” commented Will.
Goldwind Project Manager for the Cattle Hill Wind Farm, Ronan Creedon said the deliveries of Goldwind turbine components to the project site has now commenced.
“Oversized, slow-moving vehicles will be transporting components on 528 occasions between March and August.
“The loads will travel from the Port of Bell Bay through Launceston, Campbell Town, Melton Mowbray and Bothwell to the project site via Bell Bay Road, the East Tamar Highway, the Midland Highway, Highlands Lakes Road, Waddamana Road and Bashan Road.
“Goldwind places a high importance on road safety for all road users and acknowledges the inconvenience that encountering these deliveries may cause. All loads will travel in accordance with the relevant permit conditions and will be accompanied by pilot vehicles and in some cases police escorts.” commented Ronan.
Construction of Cattle Hill Wind Farm commenced mid-2018, with the project to be fully operational in late 2019. Approximately 120 staff are currently working on site, with up to 150 expected during construction peaks. Six of the permanent maintenance staff for the project have already been engaged, with up to 10 permanent maintenance staff required once the wind farm is complete.
Once operational, Cattle Hill Wind Farm will produce clean energy to power approximately 63,500 Tasmanian homes.
18 February 2019
Goldwind announced today it has appointed Crisp Bros. & Haywards (Haywards) for a major tower supply contract for Cattle Hill Wind Farm.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with Haywards for the local production of tower components. Twenty per cent of the tower components required for the 48 Goldwind turbines at Cattle Hill Wind Farm will be manufactured locally in Tasmania by the Haywards team in Launceston. This amount suits Haywards’s current capacity.
“The Haywards team joins a number of Tasmanian project partners that are working to make the construction of the wind farm possible. This includes Hobart based company, Hazell Bros – undertaking the full civil and electrical works for the project – and Launceston based company, Gradco currently undertaking over $10 million of road upgrades to existing roads within the Central Highlands region.
“Alongside our major project partners are many local subcontractors and suppliers that are critical to the construction of the project.’ commented John Titchen, Managing Director of Goldwind Australia.
Haywards Managing Director, Steve Edmunds commended Goldwind’s ongoing commitment to engage local industry for the construction of the wind farm.
“Goldwind continues to proactively support local jobs in Tasmania.
“As well as manufacturing tower components for the project, Haywards has been engaged by Hazell Bros for a $4 million contract to assist with the production of tower foundations for 48 Goldwind turbines.
“To support our delivery of these contracts, Haywards has engaged several Tasmanian businesses, including Liberty One Steel, McElligotts, GMS Services, and other suppliers of materials and consumables.” commented Steve.
Construction of Cattle Hill Wind Farm commenced mid-2018, with the project to be fully operational in late 2019. Approximately 120 staff are currently working on site, with up to 150 expected during construction peaks on site. Six of the permanent maintenance staff for the project have already been engaged, with up to 10 permanent maintenance staff required once the wind farm is complete.
Once operational, Cattle Hill Wind Farm will produce clean energy to power approximately 63,500 Tasmanian homes.