Action to reduce the impacts of

The outcome of this research highlights a range of potential CSP sites

primarily in the eastern and northern reaches of the Wheatbelt. These
areas reflect locations with high levels of solar radiation, close proximity
to transportation and transmission infrastructure, low topographic relief
and limited agricultural productivity. In general, potential sites exist north
of Moora, between Cunderdin and Southern Cross along the Great Eastern
Highway and northwest of Kondinin.
The next phase of this programme would involve ground truthing of data,
particularly modelled solar insolation and other climatic information, to
determine the optimal site from those identified in this research.
Policy decisions relating to the form, magnitude and function of potential
CSP generation should also be explored. Distributed generation, whereby
small-scale CSP is deployed to generate electricity for local consumption or
to the grid, offers a cost-effective alternative to infrastructure upgrade as
a solution to the problem of reliable electricity supply to rural and remote
areas. Furthermore, new developments highlight the potential of ‘micro-
CSP’ involving modular systems of 2-5 megawatt capacity which would be
particularly suited to the Wheatbelt. These options should be examined
further through participatory consultation with all stakeholders in order to
ensure a reliable, economic and environmentally friendly source of power
to the Wheatbelt.
anthropogenic global warming
associated with greenhouse gas
emissions has been accorded
the highest priority by the
Commonwealth Government.
The Institute for Regional Development (IRD) at the University of
Western Australia was established in 2000 with the aim of engaging and
Electricity generation represents the Projected technological advances and
collaborating with rural, regional and remote communities in areas of
largest single source of greenhouse economies of scale are anticipated to reduce
socio-economic development and environmental management. With this
gas emissions, accounting for 37% of the cost of CSP-generated electricity to
in mind, partnerships have been forged with key government agencies,
the national total in 2007 (Department of around US 5 cents per kilowatt hour which
industry groups, community representatives and other stakeholders across
Climate Change, 2009). is comparable with fossil fuels.
Western Australia, providing consultancy, research and other services which
draw upon the expertise of individuals across the University of Western Solar power represents a readily available With its abundant sunlight and land
Australia. and increasingly cost-effective renewable availability, Australia is uniquely situated to
source of electricity. The availability capitalize upon CSP technology to combine
The Director of the IRD is Professor Matthew Tonts, who has diverse first-
of sunlight determines the timing and future electricity demands with limitations on
hand experience of economic, planning, social and environmental issues in
quantity of solar-generated electricity greenhouse gas emissions. However, funding
rural Western Australia. Staff of the IRD are drawn from various disciplinary
from photovoltaic cells. Concentrated solar constraints have limited the development of
groups within the University and include specialists in urban planning,
power (CSP), however, involves the storage this technology thus far, with little attention
economic development, geographical information systems, environmental
of heat generated from solar radiation and being given to its full capacity. This project
management, natural hazards, coastal development and resource
therefore can provide continuous electricity therefore offers the potential to showcase the
conservation. This integration of expertise enables the IRD to offer creative,
at night and during cloudy periods. CSP is Wheatbelt nationally through undertaking
dynamic and innovative research and consultancy whilst maintaining
currently being fast-tracked in the United the first full evaluation of environmental and
consistently high professional and personal values and standards in its work.
States and Spain, with China, India and economic criteria to identify suitable sites for
For further information please contact Dr Julian Clifton at jclifton@cyllene. other countries planning CSP expansion. CSP facilities.
uwa.edu.au (telephone 6488 3385) or Dr Bryan Boruff at bboruff@cyllene.
uwa.edu.au (telephone 6488 2700).

Europe
N
Online 12
Planned 2,046
2007 - 2012
North America (MW)
Online 418
Asia Pacific (MW)
Planned 2,954
2007 - 2012 Online –
Planned 175
1.0 - 1.9 2.0 - 2.9
2007 - 2012

3.0 - 3.9 4.0 - 4.9

Middle East Africa (MW)
Online –
5.0 - 5.9 6.0 - 6.9 Global CSP
Midpoint of
zone value capacity in 2008 Planned
2007 - 2012
1,185
Concentrated solar power generates electricity While solar radiation and topography play a major role in the
through collecting and concentrating solar
radiation which heats a liquid, usually a saline fluid identification of suitable solar generation locations, other factors are
or oil, to temperatures up to 800ºC. This is then important in understanding suitability in a local context. In Australia
used to produce steam and generate electricity
through a steam turbine generator, as illustrated.
(and beyond) these include access to power transmission lines and
‘Hybrid’ forms of CSP involve the integration of CSP road networks, and the avoidance of highly productive agricultural
with other forms of electricity generation, usually lands, environmentally sensitive locations and aboriginal heritage
fossil fuel-based, to supplement the electricity
output from CSP. sites. Topographic information is widely available for Australia at an
The three principal modes of CSP comprise the
Optical Concentrator
appropriate resolution for identifying suitable locations.
parabolic trough, solar tower and parabolic dish
techniques as illustrated. Concentrated Solar Radiation
Parabolic dish CSP is the most versatile, with
individual modules generating 10-50 kilowatts and
multiple dish arrays being constructed generating Calculate monthly
Calculate monthly
However, only a limited range of solar radiation data exists Capability,
NASA solarin terms averages
NASA solar
of access to road networks and power
averages
Some locations including native title claims, environmentally
up to hundreds of megawatts. Economies of scale Receiver
radiation data
radiation data
(satellite derived)
1999 - 2005
1999 - 2005
and varies in resolution and price. Three products were transmission lines,atatBoM
(satellite derived)
wasstations modeled across the Wheatbelt as
BoM weather
weather sensitive areas, and water bodies are inappropriate for hosting
limit the lower capacity of solar tower and parabolic stations
surveyed for this project including NASA satellite derived distance to infrastructure. Using information provided by the a CSP generation facility. These locations were mapped to
trough CSP, with both being suitable to generate Calculate monthly Statistical
data, Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) satellite derived data and Department
BoM solar of Foodaverages
BoM solar
and Agriculture,
Calculate monthly
analysisWA
Statistical
of agricultural
SOLAR RADIATION lands
GRID identify areas entirely unsuitable for CSP development and
electricity in the 30-150 megawatts range. A 30 radiation data
radiation data
averages
1999 - 2005
analysis of
variance
SOLAR RADIATION GRID

Heat Storage solar radiation information modeled using the GIS software were ranked
(satellite derived)based
(satellite derived)
on
1999 - 2005
at BoM their
weather productive
variance
capabilities. This were used to mask out regions not suitable for further inquiry.
megawatt facility operating at full capacity would at BoM weather
stations
stations
package ArcGIS. ArcGIS provided the highest resolution information was combined with distance to infrastructure to Finally, modeled solar radiation data, land capability and
supply the annual electricity needs of approximately Heat BoM solar
information on localized solar radiation variation, modeled developBoM asolargeographic
radiation data representation
Calculate monthly
Calculate monthly of the
Statistical
Statistical capability of lands suitability information were overlaid to identify the best targets
35,000 households in the Wheatbelt area. radiation data
(weather station)
averages
averages
analysis of
analysis of
variance
Fossil Fuel Backup using parameters derived from ground based solar radiation (weather station)
across the Wheatbelt in terms of hosting
1999 - 2005
1999 - 2005 variance
a CSP generation for hosting CSP generation facilities. While latitude drives the
The availability of sufficient solar radiation is the instruments (deployed by BoM) in Geralton and Kalgoorlie. facility (i.e. highly productive lands far from infrastructure
ArcGIS solar
ArcGIS solar amount of solar radiation striking the earth, slope and orientation
key criterion determining the suitability of CSP. The These methods were evaluated and compared to identify a received low capability
radiationmodel:
scores).
radiationmodel:
SRTM
SRTM
calculates monthly
calculates monthly also contribute to the amount of energy that can be captured at
accepted minimum annual solar radiation necessary Heat statistically appropriate high resolution solar radiation model
averages 1999 - 2005 at
averages 1999 - 2005 at
BoM weather stations
BoM weather stations
any specific location. Combining solar radiation information with
for electricity generation using CSP is around Engine
for the Wheatbelt.
assuming transmissivity
assuming transmissivity
of 0.60 - 0.64
of 0.60 - 0.64
proximity to infrastructure, capability of the land and suitability,
2,000 kilowatt hours per square metre. Relatively
Electricity a number of optimal target areas were identified.
flat terrain with slope angles of less than 4º are
also required, whilst other siting criteria include generation
proximity to the electricity transmission grid and through CSP
to centres of population, as well as the nature of NASA solar
Calculate monthly
averages
Road network
Road network

existing land usage and ownership. Electricity radiation data

(satellite derived)
1999 - 2005
at BoM weather
stations Transmission lines
Transmission lines Scale capability
Scale capability
0 - 1 and sum CAPABILITY INDEX SOLAR RADIATION
0 - 1 and sum CAPABILITY INDEX SOLAR RADIATION
scores
Calculate monthly Statistical Substations scores
BoM solar Substations Masked solar 1 km 2 Exclude > 1
averages analysis of SOLAR RADIATION GRID Masked solar 1 km 2 Exclude > 1
radiation data radiation filter std. deviation
Receiver or Receiver Concentrator (satellite derived)
1999 - 2005
at BoM weather
variance radiation filter std. deviation
engine/receiver reflective Receiver stations
Agricultural productivity
Agricultural productivity
surface CAPABILITY INDEX Combine OPTIMAL SITES
BoM solar CAPABILITY INDEX Combine OPTIMAL SITES
Calculate monthly Statistical Digital elevation model
radiation data Digital elevation model
averages analysis of (excludes >4º slope)
(weather station) (excludes >4º slope)
1999 - 2005 variance
Masked Exclude > 1
Aboriginal lands Masked Exclude > 1
Aboriginal lands Binary mask capability std. deviation
Binary mask capability std. deviation
ArcGIS solar each feature SUITABILITY MASK
each feature SUITABILITY MASK
Concentrator radiationmodel: and overlay
and overlay SUITABILITY MASK
SUITABILITY MASK
Environmentally
reflective SRTM calculates monthly Environmentally
sensitive lands
surface Tracking averages 1999 - 2005 at sensitive lands
Tower Heliostats mechanism BoM weather stations
assuming transmissivity Water features
Water features
of 0.60 - 0.64
Parabolic dish Solar tower Parabolic trough