Optimal Group reached a major milestone last week with the installation of a 100,000 litre liquid petroleum gas (LPG) tank to power Fiji Water, the remote factory in Fiji that produces earth’s finest water.
While Optimal usually supply the power generation equipment, heat recovery and associated equipment - and then install and integrate into the customers facility, Fiji Water wanted Optimal to also specify, supply and install the LPG storage system.
As Optimal is an engineering solutions business, this was well within their capability to deliver a wider solution, and demonstrated a unique capacity to solve challenges for their clients. With a genuine desire to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly, Fiji Water is delighted to have achieved this milestone that will convert 30% of their power across to propane and reduce their overall emissions by 40%.
The Capstone Microturbines will result in a huge reduction in emissions including CO (carbon monoxide), NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and VOC’s (volatile organic chemicals). LPG fueled turbines don’t emit harmful particulates. In terms of financial savings, LPG will also be around 40% cheaper than their current source of energy. With the majority of power generated in the South Pacific being via diesel, this is a fantastic example of how the region can move towards a greener, cleaner region for everyone.
The tank is a massive 30m long and 5m wide. The moving of the tank was one of the biggest logistical activities Fiji had seen in decades and was escorted by the electricity, telecom and roads authorities who cleared the way, even having to lift power lines to make room. Using renewable energy such as wind or solar remains challenging in the Pacific, as cloudy skies can cause solar power to be both irregular and intermittent. And while wind turbines work best when the wind is actually blowing, too much wind can cause problems, and areas of the Pacific prone to cyclones, wind turbines can be equally challenging.
The unique abilities of the Capstone Microturbines allow it to ramp up and down almost instantly regardless of the weather, allowing customers to integrate more renewables with less wastage, making it the perfect answer for the Pacific. The complete system will be up and running by September.
July 25, 2019