Big power boost for ASKAP
Work is set to begin on a new state-of-the-art power plant that will supply renewable energy to the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) - and potentially the $2.5billion SKA project.
Science and Innovation Minister John Day said the hybrid diesel/solar photovoltaic power plant would cater for the strict radio-quiet conditions required for radio astronomy activities at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO).
“Horizon Power will not only build a power plant to deliver a reliable power source but will also deliver an innovative design to shield radio emissions from interfering with astronomy activities. It will also be responsible for providing a reliable power source to Australia and New Zealand’s radio astronomy precursor project ASKAP,” Mr Day said.
“If our bid to host the SKA is successful, the plant will also support early SKA operations and, with a peak load of 1.1 megawatts, the power plant has been designed to produce zero radio emissions - a prerequisite for radio astronomy.”
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said radio astronomy activities would benefit communities in the Mid-West through infrastructure and capacity development and profile the region’s capabilities of working with leading-edge scientific projects.
“The State Government has contributed $15.5million, of which $10million is provided through the Royalties for Regions Mid West Investment Plan, towards the construction of the new power plant,” Mr Grylls said.
“Similar plants could potentially be deployed in a number of remote Aboriginal communities to provide a reliable power source across regional Australia.
“ASKAP is one of the most powerful radio astronomy instruments in the Southern Hemisphere and if Australia and New Zealand should win the final bid to host the SKA, the flow-on effects and benefits to the Mid-West and other regions will be significant.”
Please click here to view this original press release, courtesy of the WA State Goverment.
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