Green energy powers Swan Reach water pipeline
More than 7,300 solar panels are now powering one of SA Water’s major drinking water pipelines.
Installed at the second pump station on the Swan Reach to Stockwell Pipeline in Australia the large solar array will reduce its operating costs required to deliver clean, safe drinking water from the filtration plant to thousands of customers in the Barossa region.
SA Water’s Senior Manager Zero Cost Energy Future Nicola Murphy said: “The Swan Reach to Stockwell Pipeline spans across more than 50 kilometres inland from the mighty Murray across to the northern Barossa area, and therefore requires significant energy to pump clean, safe drinking water across such large distances.
“With all the site’s panels connected and ready to capture the Swan Reach sunshine, we can help offset our energy needs using solar power, without altering the important operations of the water filtration plant.
“We want to set an example of proactive environmental leadership, focused on sustainability and action on climate change, and this solar array is a terrific example of how we can make a real difference in slashing carbon emissions to the tune of around 2,240 tonnes every year.
“This is one of two solar sites set to be up and running in the Swan Reach region, with a further 16,000 panels currently being connected and soon to be energised at the pipeline’s first pump station.”
SA Water’s zero cost energy future initiative has seen more than 360,000 solar panels positioned at sites like the Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant, Adelaide Desalination Plant, and major pump stations along the Morgan to Whyalla Pipeline, with all sites to be energised and connected to the national electricity grid over the coming months.
Installed at the second pump station on the Swan Reach to Stockwell Pipeline in Australia the large solar array will reduce its operating costs required to deliver clean, safe drinking water from the filtration plant to thousands of customers in the Barossa region.
SA Water’s Senior Manager Zero Cost Energy Future Nicola Murphy said: “The Swan Reach to Stockwell Pipeline spans across more than 50 kilometres inland from the mighty Murray across to the northern Barossa area, and therefore requires significant energy to pump clean, safe drinking water across such large distances.
“With all the site’s panels connected and ready to capture the Swan Reach sunshine, we can help offset our energy needs using solar power, without altering the important operations of the water filtration plant.
“We want to set an example of proactive environmental leadership, focused on sustainability and action on climate change, and this solar array is a terrific example of how we can make a real difference in slashing carbon emissions to the tune of around 2,240 tonnes every year.
“This is one of two solar sites set to be up and running in the Swan Reach region, with a further 16,000 panels currently being connected and soon to be energised at the pipeline’s first pump station.”
SA Water’s zero cost energy future initiative has seen more than 360,000 solar panels positioned at sites like the Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant, Adelaide Desalination Plant, and major pump stations along the Morgan to Whyalla Pipeline, with all sites to be energised and connected to the national electricity grid over the coming months.
