February 25 2010
A wind-powered desalination plant could solve many of Kangaroo Island’s power and water needs within six months, according to green energy and water pioneer Windesal.
Windesal Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Whalley said a decision by the Australian Energy Regulator to refuse plans for an upgrade to Kangaroo Island’s ageing undersea power connection had highlighted the fragility of the tourism magnet’s infrastructure.
“Water is an ongoing inhibitor to the development of Kangaroo Island while the uncertainty of power supplies is a major disincentive to tourism development for one of the State’s iconic tourism destinations,” Mr Whalley said.
“Windesal has an immediate wind-powered solution for communities with poor water and power supplies and we are keen to explore options for its use with ETSA, SA Water, and the South Australian Government to ensure consistent power supplies for the island and additional water resources.”
The Adelaide-based company’s environmentally-friendly plants are designed as ‘modules’ which are each capable of producing between 3-5 gigalitres of fresh water a year through power generated by wind turbines. During periods when wind is insufficient to drive the turbines, they are run by a modified generator powered by bio-fuels and other renewable energy sources.
Depending on power and water requirements, additional turbines or desalination modules can subsequently be added to each plant as necessary to enable power to be fed into the electricity grid and/or greater water production.
Mr Whalley said Windesal and its Danish supplier have a similar operational plant providing power to an island community in Northern Europe. Working with the State Government and local councils, the company is performing feasibility studies to install plants along the coast of South Australia to provide additional supplies of potable water and power close to where they are consumed.
“The establishment of a similar plant on Kangaroo Island would not only help tackle its power and water shortage problems but given the island’s iconic tourism status would also be a powerful symbol and example to the nation and the world of South Australia’s leadership in water technology and green energy solutions,” Mr Whalley said.
“Wind-powered desalination plants can be built almost anywhere provided wind conditions are suitable – which they are on Kangaroo Island - and importantly they’re relatively quick and cheap to establish.
“South Australia is in a unique position to lead the global application of this technology and in doing so, establish a new green industry in this State.”
For more information visit http://www.windesal.com/
Further Information: Jonathan Whalley, Windesal CEO, on 0419 808 701
Issued By Hughes Public Relations: Tim Hughes on 0417 788 891 or
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