Heron Island Research Station – Standalone Power System

Brief

Through this Request for Solution, the University of Queensland (UQ) invites submissions from capable suppliers for a comprehensive solution to deliver standalone power system upgrade works at UQ’s Heron Island Research Station (HIRS), located on the southern Great Barrier Reef, east of Gladstone in Queensland. The existing SAPS has been largely decommissioned and HIRS is presently powered by a 200kVA ‘Himoinsa’ diesel generator. Sustainable reuse of remaining SAPS components (refer Table 1) would be viewed favourably but is optional and subject to the Supplier’s proposed solution. The RFS will be conducted as a two-stage process, with shortlisted suppliers invited to participate further. The University of Queensland operates Heron Island Research Station (HIRS), which has been a hub for groundbreaking coral reef research and education for more than 70 years. HIRS operates under a Queensland State Government lease arrangement within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Capricornia Cays National Park) administered by the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI). The current lease (exp. 2036) provides secure tenure and includes two 10-year options to support long-term research and infrastructure investment. The terms of the lease require UQ to seek approval from DETSI for infrastructure upgrades undertaken on the island. Located on the southern Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by pristine coral reef habitats, HIRS offers researchers, students and teachers unrivalled access to one of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems. HIRS has a small contingent of UQ staff living on island who maintain operations and support the research undertaken on the island throughout the year by UQ researchers and those from third-party organisations. At peak, the station can accommodate up to 156 people. It is essential that power supply is maintained 24/7 for personnel safety, year-round operations and to ensure research continuity. The existing Stand Alone Power System was installed in 2019 and consists of the following component parts. Except for distributed solar PV generation, these components are housed in or adjacent to the dedicated Power Station building (718). As an interim measure, HIRS is presently powered by back-up Himoinsa diesel generators. Table 1 Salient Details of the existing HIRS SAPS Installed DC capacity (solar) ~408 kWp PV Modules SunPower; 1021 x 400 Wp (SPR-P19-400-COM) Power (DC) Optimisers Solar Edge; 1 x P350, 245 x P500, 360 x P800S, 31 x P850 Racking System Type Radiant Rooftop Installed AC capacity (solar) 344 kWAC PV Inverters Solar Edge; 4 x SE17k and 10 x SE27.6k No. Solar Arrays 14, grouped into 7 systems Energy Storage Decommissioned (removed from island) Energy Storage PCS-Inverter Decommissioned (removed from island) Isolation Transformers Decommissioned (removed from island). Note that each PCS was previously connected to the MSB-GEN switchboard via an isolation transformer. Thermal Power Plant (diesel generators) Decommissioned (removed from island) Bulk Diesel Storage 10,000 Litres Other Diesel Storage 5 x 2,000 Litre fuel pod trailers Diesel consumption ~20,000 Litres / month (present state / diesel generator only) Switchboards The output of each Inverter is connected to a PV Distribution Board located on the building housing each rooftop array. Each of the PV-DBs is connected back to the MDB switchboard. The MDB is connected to the MSB-GEN switchboard in the Power Station building (Bldg. 718). HIRS Electrical Load Characteristics Table 2 HIRS Electrical Load Characteristics Maximum Demand 90 kW (Evening peak linked to kitchen loads) Average Load 35 kW Estimated Annual Energy Consumption 325 MWh Figure 1 HIRS Real Power (kW) Demand Load Profile (FY24/25) Figure 2 HIRS Real Power (kW) Load Duration Curve (FY24/25), with 5% crossing (X) Figure 3 HIRS Real Power (KW) Averages (High, Mean, Low) and Energy Consumption (kWh) (FY24/25) Logistics Heron Island is located approximately 80km offshore and is accessed via ferry or helicopter from Gladstone in Central Queensland. The island is shared with Heron Island Resort (Resort), which is not part of UQ. The Resort provides essential services to HIRS (potable water, wastewater treatment and clinic services) under a service agreement. Barge logistics are available via Curtis Ferry Services, for transporting of bulk or oversized cargo (machines, containers, fuel etc.) between Gladstone and Heron Island. To move heavy equipment from the beach-landed barge at Heron Island, primary handling equipment is required (not available at HIRS). Generally, personnel are transferred to and from the island via the Resort ferry which operates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Alternatively, costly helicopter transfers are available. Accommodation can be arranged at the Resort, or alternatively, at HIRS during low activity periods – availability depends on research bookings, university teaching blocks, and field programs. Heron Island is a sensitive breeding ground for birds and turtles. Accordingly, restrictions are imposed on activities (construction included) that may impact the nesting species, during the breeding season (October to April).