Approach:
TEC-C was responsible for the full spectrum of project development, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of an integrated advanced microgrid system, built on the active Roseworthy Campus at the University of Adelaide. The result is expected to deliver 42% of energy needs.
TEC-C coordinated stakeholders throughout the project, ensuring it met all requirements, including the business case, grant funding needs and university research needs. TEC-C assisted the University from technical engineering and financial modelling perspectives, with the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) component funded by a SA Government grant. The grant was updated to meet budget requirements, considering the technology currently available.
TEC-C engaged local suppliers, and worked with experienced local sub-contractors for specific trade works. A technology and supplier agnostic approach, and deep technical knowledge, enabled a project that aligned to TEC-C’s project development responsibilities with an “on the ground” technical delivery of the EPC of the project.
TEC-C executed on-budget and on-time, overcoming various challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, complexity of a novel project and critical brownfield load cutover, on an active student campus with animal Intensive Care Units (ICUs) operating at all times. All of these challenges were proactively and diligently managed to provide seamless power to the campus as the new system was energised.
Key features:
- Campus solar farm (1.2 MW)
- Lithium-ion Battery (300kW/1,200kWh)
- Vanadium redox flow battery (100kW/400kWh) – one of the highest capacity on-grid systems of its type
- 11kV reticulation network, including three minisubs and a switching station, supply the entire campus
- Innovative microgrid system – one of the first of its kind with two different battery storage technologies
- Implementation of comprehensive control and protection system for the microgrid system
