Daintree Microgrid Project
Daintree Microgrid Project
A feasibility study has investigated the technical and economic viability of a proposed solar-based (with hydrogen storage) microgrid for the Daintree region.
| Main proponents:
Daintree Renewable Energy Pty Ltd |
Main end-use classification:
Microgrid / regional applications |
Status:
Under development |
Estimated cost:
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| Other involvement:
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Production details:
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Location:
Queensland, Australia |
Announced funding:
Feasibility study: AUD$990,150 – Federal Government (Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund) Capital works grant: AUD$19.3 million – Federal Government |
Project description
The World Heritage-Listed Daintree Rainforest region in northern Queensland has no or limited mains electricity supply. Residents of the area use diesel generators or solar power and battery storage, or a combination of both.
Solar panels are not viable for all residents due to shading issues and, in the wet season, the lack of sunshine means diesel generators must be used. It is estimated that the Daintree area uses around four million litres of diesel per annum to generate power.
In May 2019, it was announced that the Federal Government would provide a AUD$990,150 grant to Daintree Renewable Energy Pty Ltd in support of a feasibility study to investigate the technical and economic viability of a proposed solar-based (with hydrogen storage) microgrid for the Daintree region.
The proposed microgrid project evaluated would convert excess energy generated from existing and new solar panels into hydrogen via electrolysis. The hydrogen produced would be stored to be used to generate electricity during unfavourable conditions (thereby reducing reliance on diesel generation).
In May 2021, the Federal Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction announced funding of up to AUD$19.3 million to support the deployment of a renewable energy microgrid incorporating hydrogen in the Daintree.
Updated: August 2021