Benefits
Fuel savings are the main benefit of upgrading and/or adding wind turbines to a diesel power station. In addition to the dollar savings, fuel savings result in environmental benefits.
Dollar savings depend on both the cost of the displaced fuel (usually diesel fuel), and the wind regime (if wind turbines are included in the upgraded system). Reducing diesel fuel use by including a wind energy component reduces exposure to diesel fuel price increases. Although the inclusion of the wind turbines increases the capital cost of the upgrade, the long term fuel savings can be significant. Wind projects can be particularly cost effective if capital grants or low-interest loans are available to reduce the up-front cost.
The benefits of the new control system can include improved reliability as well as improved power quality. Most power stations which have D&WS products installed continue afterwards with a better quality of supply than before such equipment was installed.
Environmental benefits include reduced overall emissions of greenhouse gases, SOx and NOx, and a reduction in environmental risks associated with transporting liquid fuels. Such issues are seen as significant drivers for remote communities, some of which are located in pristine natural environments.
Costs
Costs are dependent on location, existing power station plant, wind resource, and level of diesel or gas fuel saving required. Significant grants are available in Australia (via the Australian Greenhouse Office) for qualifying systems installing renewable energy equipment such as wind turbines.
What about my system?
All of the projects performed by D&WS so far have been done on commercial grounds, so it is likely that we can lower your generation costs through some combination of our products.
However, it is impossible to assess with any accuracy your system unless details of it are known. These include information about the existing generation, its size, running hours, maximum and minimum loads and some idea of the diurnal and seasonal load profile, as well as the local network topology. Information on your commercial return expectations will also affect the results of such an examination.
The site location also needs to be known for logistics, wind resource and construction approval to be estimated. All these things can alter the costs of projects.
D&WS can examine your system in detail if you so wish. Please contact us if you wish to pursue this further.