Mackay Potash Project Renewable Energy Options Study

Client

Agrimin

Location

Lake Mackay, Western Australia, Australia

Timeframe

2020

Scope

The QGE study included analysis of the most economical fossil fuel generation options by evaluating the costs of diesel vs gas, taking into account the fuel costs at the site. This formed the “Base Case,” which was then developed to include various mixes of renewables and storage.

QGE also undertook a review of technical options and technologies that could enable the use of higher renewables penetration. Focus was on those technologies that may benefit the project and emerging technologies that may attract ARENA or similar government incentives that encourage the use of renewable technologies.

Background

The Mackay Potash Project is situated in Western Australia, approximately 785 kilometres south of the Port of Wyndham. The Project comprises twelve tenements covering a total area of 4,370 square kilometres spanning Lake Mackay, which is the world’s largest undeveloped SOP-bearing salt lake. The project is based on the extraction SOP mineralisation which is dissolved in the brine (hypersaline groundwater) within Lake Mackay. The process plant has been designed for a capacity of 426,000 tonnes per year of SOP as dry granular product.

Agrimin engaged QGE to advise on the most appropriate mix of renewable energy generation and traditional fossil fuel generation for their proposed Sulphate of Potash (SOP) facility at Lake Mackay with consideration of new technologies including:

Cloud prediction / forecasting systems
Low load generators
On-site generation of hydrogen
Use of Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) for process heat

Outcomes

QGE’s study helped Agrimin to understand payback periods and maximise return on investment for renewable energy generation technologies. The study provided up-front cost estimates and balanced them against operational cost savings from reduced engine run hours and fuel consumption when various renewable energy options and batteries were added to the gas generation system.

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