King Isand is host to an innovative Low Load Diesel (LLD) pilot program from Q1 2017. The project is a research collaboration between the University of Tasmania, the Office of Navy Research (US) and Hydro Tasmania. The pilot program will explore the long term operational impact of sustained LLD application within a isolated hybrid power system. King Island represents a world leading hybrid renewable demonstration site, incorporating wind, solar, battery storage, diesel UPS, dynamic frequency control and most recently LLD technologies. King Island has set a number of records including a sustained and stable diesel off capability, in addition to hosting Australia’s largest battery energy storage system. This presentation will present Factory Acceptance Test results for the recently procured King Island LLD generator set. James Hamilton is a researcher at the University of Tasmania, leading implementation of a King Island low load diesel research pilot. He has formerly held roles as director of Joule Logic, a specialist renewable energy IPP and consultancy who develop, deliver and own embedded wind power systems across Australia (including Flinders Island), as Senior Commercial Engineer with Windlab Systems, and as a Technical Engineer with Roaring 40s and Rio Tinto. James has worked within the renewable sector for over a decade, across roles in Australia, Indian, China and South Africa.

1. FacultyofScience,Engineering&Technology
UniversityofTasmania

2. FacultyofScience,Engineering&Technology
This presentation will discuss:
Intro | Centre for Renewable Energy and Power Systems
King Island Renewable Energy Integration Project
1. Perceptions and Practices
2. Low Load Diesel (LLD)
3. Generic LLD Power System Modelling
4. Generic LLD Economic Modelling
5. Low Load Factory Acceptance Testing

3. FacultyofScience,Engineering&Technology
The University of Tasmania
Centre for Renewable Energy Power Systems
Chair: Professor Michael Negnevitsky
>8 Full Time Academic Staff
>16 Full Time PhD & Masters Students
Unique Facilities include;
• Internet Connected Micro-grid Laboratory;
• Remotely Connected Research Workstations;
• LLD test engine; and
• Solar and Wind integrated internal AC Bus;

4. visit www.kingislandrenewableenergy.com.au

5. Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology
• No common definition of low load.
• Low load diesel pilots underway across most Australian utilities.
• Low load capability appears generic (across manufacturers).
• Don’t hold your breath for lower energy storage prices in 2017.
• Diesel price rises to 2015 levels out across 2017.
Perceptions and Practices
1. Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Mar 2015
2. U.S. Energy Information Administration Energy Outlook Nov 2016
2
1

6. Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology
• Low load diesel allows the removal of legacy load constraint.
• Low load diesel facilitates improved RE utilisation via flexible load assignment
Low Load Diesel

7. Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology
Generic Power System Modelling

8. Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology
• LLD transitions isolated power systems from low to medium RE penetration.
• Minimum CoE inflection moved from low to medium RE penetrations.
Generic Economic Modelling

9. Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology
• 60% load acceptance recovery in 4s (120kW -840kW).
• Frequency dip of 2 Hz.
Factory Acceptance Testing (Margen, Maranello, Italy, Oct 2016)

10. Elon Musk
FacultyofScience,Engineering&Technology
“I could either watch it happen,
or be part of it.”
Enjoy the journey
james.hamilton@utas.edu.au
blue rocks, Flinders Island

11. FacultyofScience,Engineering&Technology
• Australian Research Council
The ARC is an Australian Government Commonwealth
entity.
• Hydro Tasmania
Hydro Tasmania is Australia’s leading renewable
energy business. Hydro Tasmania own and operate
the advanced King Island and Flinders Island power
systems.
• Office of Navy Research (US)
The Department of the Navy's science and technology
provider, energy transition forms a key pillar to the
current naval science & technology strategy.
• University of Tasmania:
The University of Tasmania ranks globally within the top
2% of universities and is the lead research institution
supporting the King Island Low Load Diesel Pilot.
Participants

12. FacultyofScience,Engineering&Technology
Voltage Recovery FAT