In April 2019, Optimal Group was selected by Western Power to provide their PowerPlus Hybrid Remote Power System for its Ravensthorpe municipal wastewater facility.
The project represented the first deployment of Optimal’s cutting edge hybrid PowerPlus technology, which has enormous opportunities not only for remote power, but also for incorporation into residential and commercial microgrids.
PowerPlus is a modular system combining Capstone microturbines with supercapacitor batteries in an integrated all-weather enclosure. The system is supplied with integrated solar PV to deliver secure power with maximum renewable energy input – essentially a micro-grid in a box.
In order to provide Western Power’s customers with reliable, low-emission power, the PowerPlus components were tailored in size to ensure they maximised the use of renewable power. The aim was to provide 75 per cent renewable power.
While there are many examples of diesel battery hybrid systems in the marketplace, the Optimal PowerPlus system is unique as it does not use diesel or contain any potential environmentally contaminating lubricating oils. Optimal is of the view that modern hybrid power systems must maximise their low emission benefits. The use of diesel as a fuel for such systems is simply incompatible with modern electricity generation.
Incorporating a Capstone microturbine ensures the PowerPlus super capacitors never run out of power. While conventional solar hybrid systems use diesel generators to provide this critical feature, PowerPlus is designed to use natural gas or LPG thereby further minimising carbon emissions. In addition, the Capstone turbines deliver class leading ultra-low NOx, carbon monoxide and VOC emissions – and no carcinogenic particles making it safe to be around.
Capstone also recently launched its hydrogen fuel C65 microturbine which Optimal expects to be able to offer customers as part of the PowerPlus hybrid system in 2020. Hydrogen fuel is an exciting development and provides another pathway for 100 per cent renewable and dispatchable electricity.
Optimal Group provides bespoke energy solutions for modern businesses and is the Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific Partner for the award-winning Capstone Microturbines.
Optimal’s generators produce electricity that is cleaner and cheaper than the grid. Its combined heat, cooling and power systems achieve maximum efficiency by using the waste heat created during power generation. This then delivers the customer power, heating and cooling that is cleaner, and more reliable than alternative sources.
If you would like to hear more about the Optimal PowerPlus, visit optimalgroup.com.au
This partner content is provided by Optimal Group. For more information, visit https://www.optimalgroup.com.au/
