7 January 2021 in Uncategorized

Electricity feed-in tariff

Source: https://www.energy.gov.au/rebates/electricity-feed-tariff-0

Program name Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme Program URL www.wa.gov.au/organisation/energy-policy-wa/energy-buyback-schemes

Overview

The Western Australian Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme offers payments for energy exported to the grid from eligible solar PV systems, batteries and electric vehicles. 

The scheme will apply to eligible households, schools and not-for-profit organisations installing new solar PV panels or batteries, or upgrading their existing solar panel system (up to a five kilowatt maximum).

Under the scheme, from 6 November 2020 the buyback rates will be:

• Electricity exported between 3pm and 9pm will earn 10 cents a kilowatt-hour (kWh).
• Electricity exported at other times will earn 3 cents a kWh.

The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme replaces the previous Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme for new and upgraded distributed energy resources applications.

Benefits

• Supports the uptake of solar PV systems, solar batteries and electric vehicles.
• Provides financial incentives for eligible households, schools and not-for-profits.
• Reduces electricity bills.

Key eligibility

To be eligible you must be:

• a residential customer who consumes not more than 50MWh of electricity per annum
• a customer that is a school, university or other educational institution
• a customer that is a non-profit-making organisation.

For a renewable energy system to be eligible, it must have a generating capacity of between 500W and 5kW. A 6.6kW solar PV system with 5kVa inverter is accepted as having a generating capacity of 5kW.

There is no eligibility limit on home battery or electric vehicle battery size, but retailers are only obligated to offer buyback payment for 50 units (kWh) per day per premises (which is more than a 5kW solar PV system would be expected to generate on any given day).

Other conditions may apply.

Next steps

Contact us at 1300 441 494 or admin@ascendelectrical.com.au

19 December 2020 in Uncategorized

Germany and Western Australia join forces on renewable hydrogen

https://www.h2-view.com/story/germany-and-western-australia-join-forces-on-renewable-hydrogen/

By Joanna Sampson on Dec 15, 2020   Translate NEWS

Western Australia has joined renewable energy heavy-hitter Germany to discuss hydrogen opportunities in Australia’s first roundtable since the recent national declaration of intent on hydrogen.

Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan hosted the roundtable, which featured representatives from major German and Australian businesses including ThyssenKrupp, Siemens, Daimler, Woodside, BHP, Yara Pilbara and Fortescue Metals Group.

Speakers included Andreas Radke, Acting Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Dr. Falk Bömeke from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.

The meeting was the first of its kind for any Australian State since the Joint Declaration of Intent was signed between the Australian and German governments in September to deliver a Hydrogen Supply Chain Feasibility Study.

The roundtable served as an introduction between German and Western Australian companies operating in the renewable hydrogen sector, and an opportunity to explore collaboration and partnerships opportunities.

Strengthening relationships with international renewable hydrogen importers has been a major focus for the McGowan Government, which has allocated $1m towards developing a detailed supply chain model to review potential bottlenecks and factors affecting the export industry.

Current global demand for hydrogen is at more than 70 million tonnes a year and the value of Australia’s low-emissions hydrogen exports could reach $2.2bn by 2030 and $5.7bn by 2040.

“Western Australia has an extraordinary opportunity to become a leader in the emerging renewable hydrogen industry and the McGowan Government is on the front foot in taking advantage of this opportunity,” Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said.

“Germany currently imports up to 70% of its energy, and is eyeing renewable hydrogen for its future energy needs.”

“We have undertaken significant work with the German Government and industry over the past two years to lay the foundations for the State’s now-burgeoning hydrogen industry.”

“This is setting Western Australia apart as both a producer of hydrogen and as a key technology partner.”

“This inaugural roundtable between Germany and Western Australia is an important next step in driving forward our local hydrogen industry and supporting global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.”

7 December 2020 in Uncategorized

Graph of the Day: Solar is now regularly hitting 50 pct share in Western Australia

Source: Renew Economy, Giles Parkinson founder and editor of Renew Economy

Renewable energy records continue to tumble across the country, with the latest notable milestone being reached in Western Australia, where solar power is now regularly reaching  50 per cent of supply in the middle of the day.

Our attention was brought to one such event this past Sunday, when the combination of rooftop solar (947MW, or 45.6 per cent of demand) and utility scale solar (100MW, or 4.8 per cent of demand) reached more than 50 per cent – a level it maintained for around four hours.

Such levels have become a common feature in Australia’s main grid, particularly in South Australia, where solar has even provided more than 100 per cent of local demand, but the milestones are notable in W.A. because that grid is isolated, and has no network links to another state.

We asked the Australian Energy Market Operator whether this was a first for Western Australia and was told that no, the 50 per cent milestone had been reached on preceding weekends and on several occasions in September.

The event is likely to be more common in the future. While grid-scale solar is limited to just a few installations – most notably the recently complete 100MW Merredin solar farm and the newly expanded 40MW Greenough River solar farm – it is rooftop solar (currently at more than 1.5GW) that is growing rapidly at a rate of more than 300MW in 2020

4 December 2017 in Transformers

Local WA business Ascend Reconditions its First Transformers in W.A.

Ascend is a local Western Australia owned and operated business with its head office in Malaga, WA.

Ascend’s client had immediate requirements for two 315kVA, Dyn1, 22KV-440, three phase transformers.  Ascend procured the required materials through its own supply chain, and successfully delivered the transformers on budget and 50% earlier than the client’s expectations.

These particular transformers are oil-filled, so as a first step the oil had to be drained as shown below.

After the oil is drained, the units were detanked and cleaned to eliminate any possible sources of contamination.

The units were then completely rewired internally.

To reduce moisture, Ascend oven dried and vacuumed the transformers, prior to filling with oil and testing to ensure the high quality operation.

Ascend’s testing capabilities include:

1. Ratio test
2. Winding Resistance Test
3. Insulation test
4. Induced overvoltage withstand
5. Oil tests

Ascend then fitted the repainted cabinet, installed fuse links and isolator links and earthing, ready for Quality Assurance check and dispatch.

After delivery, the transformers were inspected by the clients engineers, who were pleased and impressed at the efficiency and quality of the refurbished transformers.

To continue to provide an efficient business in Western Australia, Ascend locally stocks transformer bushings, insulators, cover-guards, FR3 oil, shrouds, cables & lugs, paint and much more.  Should you require any transformer parts, please contact us on 08 9209 3065 and there is a good chance we have it in stock!

Testing Equipment

In addition to testing facilities, Ascend also has (for hire with or without a technician):

1. METREL MI3280 Transformer Analyser:
• Turns Ratio of single & 3 phase transformers
• Phase Deviation between HV & LV windings
• Excitation Current
• Winding Resistance of single/3 phase transformers
• Colour Touch Screen LCD Display with Menu
• ES Manager Software for Creating Test Structures, downloading results and
reports
• Bluetooth comms
• Autotest sequences and built in help screens
• User manual and Calibration Certificate
• Li-ION Batteries for portability

2. METREL MI3210 10KV Insulation Tester

The MI3210 is an Automated 50V to 10KV Insulation tester with a Graphical
Display showing insulation over time. Features and benefits:
• Insulation resistance and withstanding voltage tests to 20 Tera Ohm
• Diagnostic PI, DAR and DD Tests
• Step Voltage Tests
• Voltage and frequency measurement
• Voltage adjustable in 50 & 100V Steps
• Programmable Timer and Capaciatnce measurement
• Automatic discharge at completion of test
• Guard terminal and HV breakdown detection
• HVLink Pro Software for downloading, analysing and test reports
• Shielded 2m HV Lead Set with Clips
• 3.4Ahr Sealed Lead Acid Battery or Mains operation
• CAT4/600V and High EM Interference protection
•

3. MEGGER MLR10 Leakage Reactance Tester:
This unit uses the MLR10 Software and a PCLaptop to display all measurements
and store results for reports.
• Measures short circuit impedance of single/3 phase transformers
• Automatically measures and displays test current and voltage
• Automatically measures & displays watts, tan delta, inductance,
reactance, resistance, impedance, delta X & Z in %
• 15m Output Lead Set and 4.6m Ground Cable in Canvas Bag
• USB Cable & MLR10 Software

9 November 2017 in Solar

Changes in the Solar Market from 2018

2018 is an important year in the solar market for two main reasons:

1. The subsidy will decline in 2018
2. The subsidy will no longer be available for replacement solar panels

Now is the best time to install solar for the subsidy.  Selecting a good quality solar panel is increasingly important because the subsidy will no longer be available if any solar panel needs replaced.

Subsidy Decline in 2018

The total amount of subsidy you can receive for an eligible system is based on the size and location of the system, as well as the “Deeming Period”.  In simple terms the Deeming Period value is how many years between the current year and 2031.  So, 2031 – 2017 = 14 years, which is the current Deeming Period.

For Perth the calculation may look like the below:

*STC values are subject to fluctuation and subsidies may vary per individual install and depending on processing fees etc.

The Deeming Period will decrease by 1 each year until 2031, which is when the current Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme will end. In dollar terms this represents a decrease of around $325 per year for a 6.5kW system in the Perth area.  Below are indicative subsidies for a 6.5kW system

* The above are general examples only.  An accredited desinger should assess the eligible subsidy for your individual system.

SOURCES:

http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/RET/Scheme-participants-and-industry/Agents-and-installers/deeming-period-decline

Replacement Panels

The Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator has announced they will no longer be issuing STCs for replacement panels installed on existing systems.

The reasons are mostly related to unethical solar companies who:

1. take chances installing very cheap low-quality panels, knowing that they could claim the subsidies on replacement panels if the original panel started failing DURING the warranty period

2. install cheap panels, knowing that they could claim the subsidies if the panel started failing AFTER the warranty period. (sometimes even making a profit from the owner)

3. convincing owners to replace good quality panels with low quality panels, and taking the “old” panel away and claiming the STCs, then charging another customer for the “old” solar panel and claiming the subsidy again

Eligibility scenarios

The scenario examples below will help you to determine your system’s eligibility for small-scale technology certificates. These scenarios cover the most common types of installations.

Original system installed​​

Eligible – The system must have a rating of no more than 100 kW. Panels and inverter must be on the Clean Energy Council approved products list at the time of installation. All components (including electrical elements and fixtures) must meet the current relevant standards.​

Additional capacity/upgrade​

​Eligible – The system must have a rating of no more than 100 kW. The new panels and existing inverter must be on the Clean Energy Council approved products list, and the inverter must have sufficient capacity. All components (including electrical elements and fixtures) must meet the current relevant standards.​

Additional​, separate system​

​Eligible – The system must have a rating of no more than 100 kW. The new panels and inverter must be on the Clean Energy Council approved products list. All components (including electrical elements and fixtures) must meet the current relevant standards.​

Original system replaced​

​

Eligible – The system must have a rating of no more than 100 kW. All system components (i.e. panels and inverter) must be new (no previous claims), recorded on the Clean Energy Council approved products list at the time of installation and meet the current relevant standards (including electrical elements and fixtures).​

One, some or all panels replaced

Not eligible – This scenario is ineligible because at least one major component (i.e. panel or inverter) has been used to previously claim small-scale technology certificates in the entitlement period. Applications involving one, some or all panels being replaced will still be considered for small-scale technology certificates for installations up to 31 January 2018, subject to all other requirements being satisfied.

SOURCES:

http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/RET/Scheme-participants-and-industry/Agents-and-installers/Small-scale-systems-eligible-for-certificates

https://www.solaraccreditation.com.au/consumers/avoiding-solar-scams.html

https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/stc-solar-panels-mb0230/

https://www.infiniteenergy.com.au/stcs-scrapped-replacement-solar-panels/

3 August 2017 in Parts, Transformers, Western Power

Ascend now stocks transformer parts in Malaga

Ascend now stocks transformer components and equipment at their premises in Malaga.

This is in line with our customer centric philosophy: to be able to quickly and efficiently respond to our customer’s needs.

Ascend currently stocks over $1M in transformer parts, motors, busbars and earth bars, insulators, filtration, accessories, fuses and more all at our two local Malaga facilities.

Ascend can provide transformer repairs and servicing, installation, design, transportation, storage and packing, supervision, storage, testing (inc DGA and SFRA), functional testing of accessories and more.

Some of our stock at our Malaga facilities includes:

Transformer housing, cabinets, and bunding(supply and design options)

We stock common transformer cabinets, and can manufacture custom housing locally and as required.

Cables and leads (on drum or made to requirements), busbars, insulators and other components

Stickers (standard and custom)

Ascend also provides comprehensive transformer services click here to see more

Contact us for any requirements 08 9209 3065 or admin@ascendelectrical.com.au