Lord Howe World Heritage launches the Renewable energy roadmap.
Lord Howe Island has developed a Sustainable Energy Strategy to reduce the islands reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation.
The Lord Howe Island Board has formed a Community Sustainable Energy Working Group (SEWG) to assist to guide the Board in the development of renewable energy on the island.
The SEWG have developed a Lord Howe Island Energy Supply Road Map which outlines the opportunity for the island to develop renewable energy to achieve a renewable energy target of 63% within five years.
At the May 2012 LHI Board meeting the LHI Board approved a funding strategy for the implementation of the Road Map. During 2012/13 feasibility studies will commence to progress the development of a centralised Solar PV array and 2-3 medium wind turbines planned for Transit Hill.
The draft Road Map proposes that future power generation on the island may consist of diesel hybrid generation system consisting of:
- Existing diesel generators;
- Approx 200kW of private grid connected renewable Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) or Wind systems on leases;
- Approx 200kW of centralised or community Solar PV;
- Wind generation consisting of 2-3 x 275kW wind turbines located on portion 101 on Transit Hill;
- Installation of flywheel technology in Powerhouse;
- Energy storage systems possibly centralized battery storage and use of electric vehicle batteries; and
- Use of smart meters and demand management technology to enable better use of renewable energy.
Lord Howe Island Energy Supply Road Map – PDF
