Dugald River Solar Farm

QGE Engineer in high-vis clothing standing amongst rows of solar panels.

Client

APA Group

Location

Mt Isa, QLD

Timeframe

2022 - 2023

Scope

QGE teamed with APA to deliver the Dugald River Solar Farm in Mt Isa, undertaking the roles of Client’s Electrical Discipline Project Engineer and Commissioning Manager as part of APA’s project delivery team.

The Electrical Discipline Engineer undertook a wide range of tasks including development of the specifications and scopes of work for the project, management of the integration with existing infrastructure at the connection point, responses to engineering information requests, review of Contractor’s designs, coordination of engineering between equipment vendors and Contractors and progress reporting to management.

Background

The Dugald River Solar Farm (known as Mica Creek Solar farm during construction) consists of 10 x 9MW Inverter Stations supplied by Siemens Gamesa, each with 2 x 4.5MW inverters and a three winding 690V to 33KV transformer. The solar farm is approximately 3km by 0.5km in size, with ~186 000 Jinko 540W solar modules producing a total of ~100MW DC. The modules are mounted on a 2P tracking system supplied by FTC. The solar farm includes underground 33kV reticulation for solar energy collection from each of the stations, with a 2 x 45/75MVA 33kV/132kV transformer substation centrally located.

Outcomes

Dugald River Solar farm provides the first renewable generation capacity into the North West Power System, reducing the cost of energy for APA’s customers’ while ensuring a highly reliable generation system maintains supply, complying with the requirements for connection of generation to the North West Power System.

QGE was able to provide key personnel to the project quickly and effectively to ensure project success.

Why Choose Us

WE ARE THE EXPERTS IN THE FIELD

QGE are recognised leaders in hazardous areas and in grid connected solar PV, which is only possible because of our rock-solid foundation in electrical and controls engineering. We have the knowledge and experience to provide a cost-effective solution, whatever the problem.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY INNOVATING

Our cloud software, controls and telemetry solutions, and grid export control panels are all products of our ongoing investments in new technology and engineering processes, and we continue to push the boundaries with involvement in blockchain and peer-to-peer energy trading.

WE ARE EASY TO WORK WITH

At QGE we genuinely enjoy what we do, which means we’re always willing to go the extra mile for our customers to deliver the right solution. We have great client relationships because people like working with us.

Testimonials

Over several years, QGE have provided control systems design and on site support for upgrades and expansion projects. We’ve been very satisfied with the quality of their solutions and the high level of support they have provided our remote mine site.

Jude Barnes

Sepon Mine Site - MMG

QGE have worked with us for several years on hazardous area issues and have classified a number of our facilities, including new-technology processes, where we’ve been very satisfied with the pragmatic approach they’ve taken and the outcomes for our business.

Ferdi van Staden

Coogee Chemicals

The QGE team understood the project’s constraints and requirements, and were able to deliver a commercial solution that has allowed Agrimin to achieve a higher renewables penetration and lower energy cost than it had expected.

Rhys Bradley – Chief Commercial Officer

Agrimin