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Renewable Energy and Emissions
Council’s ability to respond is significantly increased by the addition of the rooftop solar and battery storage installation at the Rushforth Road Works Depot. The project enables the depot to remain fully operational in emergency conditions enabling the response to natural disasters even if the power grid is down.
During normal times the renewable energy generated at the site along with the battery storage will be capable of meeting the site’s electricity needs and will significantly reduce the site’s emissions footprint. The project provides undercover parking for Council’s vehicle fleet to protect from weather damage and reduce insurance claims. Looking to the future, it also has four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed.
Funding through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund enabled Council to install an additional 110kw photovoltaic (PV) rooftop solar system, a 200kWh battery storage system and a 250kVa generator. The funding enabled the construction of the vehicle parking roof structure to house the rooftop solar and the provision of EV charging stations.
The new PV solar installation effectively doubles power generated from solar panels at the depot, with 100kW of existing solar panels on the administration building also feeding power into the new battery.
STREET LIGHT CONVERSION TO LED
THE CONVERSION ACROSS THE CLARENCE VALLEY IS NOW COMPLETE. REDUCES EMISSIONS BY APPROX. 40% WITH ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS OF $357,000 PER YEAR
COUNCIL ADOPTED TARGETS AS OUTLINED IN OUR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGIES:
50%
OF COUNCIL’S ELECTRICITY DEMAND TO BE MET FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY BEFORE
2030
WITH LONG TERM GOAL TO BE 100%
0%
BY 2050
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS TO BE AT LEAST 40% LOWER THAN 2017 LEVELS BEFORE 2030 WITH LONG TERM GOALS TO REACH NET ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050
PICTURED: Top left; The new vehicle parking roof structure at the Rushforth Road Works Depot protects fleet vehicles from hail damage and includes a 110kw photovoltaic rooftop solar system. Top right; CVC Coordinator Waste and Sustainability Ken Wilson, Mayor Ian Tiley, Kim Potter from Department of Regional NSW, Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy, CVC General Manager Laura Black and contracted solar power specialist Jamie Harrison.
