Namoi Valley Independent reports: Solar plan for a ‘field of mirrors’

A Sydney-based solar energy company wants to turn Gunnedah into an iconic global solar hub.

Beyond Zero Emissions, a small non-government organisation, is proposing to transform Gunnedah into a “field of mirrors” as part of its plan to provide a road map leading to 100 per cent renewable energy within 10 years.

Beyond Zero Emissions’ (BZE) Andrew Longmire was recently in Gunnedah to discuss the potential of a project presentation to council, with council’s Manager Economic Development and Tourism, Chris Frend.

Mr Longmire is one of only 14 full-time employees of BZE, which boasts 300 volunteers in its quest to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy within the next decade.

He said BZE’s prospectus had already met with overwhelming approval with the council of Port Augusta, and he was confident Gunnedah Shire Councillors would be similarly impressed.

“This is the way forward and we have tremendous support everywhere we have launched the plan,” Mr Longmire said.

In essence, the company’s baseload solar thermal energy concept utilises a field of mirrors with each mirror the size of a tennis court covering a field of 1200 hectares, channelling the sun’s energy into a huge storage tower.

“A facility of this size would supply power to between 70 to 80,000 houses.

“You are getting away from the traditional forms of power, burning coal and other fossil fuels which are required to burn day and night with the accompanying harmful emissions.

“This is solar concentrating technology which can generate electricity without emissions and the energy can be stored and released to the grid on demand.

“And it appeals to investors as the energy is sold on demand.”

Mr Longmire said the concept had been proven at a facility in Nevada by the US Department of Energy.

“Spain is another country also quickly realising the merit of the technology and is moving to cold salt solar with a 20 megawatt facility, Terresol Gemasolar, which houses a 200 metre horizontal tower which can store energy for 15 hours.

“The technology has been well received by many including politicians Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Windsor who jointly launched the plan in Sydney earlier this year.

“So far there are 17 solar regions identified but there are no facilities, as yet, in Australia.

“It would be a great achievement if a progressive town such as Gunnedah was to become the first to embrace this far-sighted technology.

“It would depend on many factors but primarily the council, business and the community, has to want it.”

Mr Longmire said Gunnedah was looked at as a possible site because it had the right amount of sunshine per year to sustain a facility which would require a total capitalisation of around $1 billion.

He envisaged between 200 and 250 jobs would be created in the construction phase with ongoing, permanent/maintenance positions for between 35 and 40 workers.