The challenge: An economically and ecologically unsustainable energy model
Like many agribusinesses in remote locations, Australian Farming Services’ (AFS) Cadell Orchards off-grid operations relied on diesel generators to power electric pumps for irrigation. This dependency led to fluctuating energy expenses, unnecessary CO₂ emissions, and extra maintenance efforts. To ensure sustainability and cost predictability for their energy-intensive irrigation process, AFS entered into an agreement with energy company AGL. AGL installed, owns, and operates the solar-powered microgrid under a power purchase agreement, which is on track to provide more than 85% of the electrical energy for Cadell thus reducing reliance on diesel fuel substantially.
The solution: A resilient, cost-predictable and sustainable microgrid
To transition the off-grid orchard away from diesel reliance and toward a more sustainable energy model, AGL needed a microgrid solution that could reliably integrate solar, battery storage and back-up diesel generation with pumping stations via a branched high voltage network while ensuring grid stability and supply robustness. That’s where PowerTec and Danfoss came in.
System integrator PowerTec Engineered Solutions (PowerTec) based its System Strength battery inverter product on Danfoss grid converters, to provide a renewable energy solution that meets the orchard’s energy robustness, flexibility and safety demands while reducing environmental impact. The unique electrical and functional features of Danfoss’ cutting-edge grid converter gave PowerTec the electrical foundation needed to design and operate a stable, high-performance microgrid.
The new system significantly reduces reliance on diesel by using a battery energy storage system to create a utility grade network and support a 4.9 MW tracking solar farm. The microgrid backbone consists of a 4.0 MVA/4.2 MWh battery energy storage system based on a Danfoss power converter and a PowerTec PaDECS® distributed microgrid edge control system.
By enabling a reliable and responsive microgrid, the solution powers the orchard’s irrigation system from renewable sources while enhancing performance as compared to the previous diesel solution.
Key to this solution are the PowerTec PowerCache® battery energy storage systems (BESS) power converters, comprising 4.0 MVA VACON® NXP Grid Converter units from Danfoss, which enable:
- Grid-forming strength to establish a stable microgrid
- High current overload capability to clear fault currents
- Instantaneous reserves to respond to load changes
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The outcome: Large-scale energy sustainability through collaboration and innovation
The microgrid is on track to provide 5.3 GWh of renewable energy to the site annually. Through the partnership between the operator project developer, system integrator and technology providers, the orchard microgrid generates clean and renewable solar power to cut emissions, reduce reliance on diesel fuel by 85 %, and deliver energy cost certainty each year.
We are proud to be part of this project, which marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering commercial and industrial scale battery energy storage systems. Through collaboration and innovation, we are paving the way for a more sustainable future.
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AUSTRALIA: In the semi-arid inland climate of the Riverina Region of New South Wales, where irrigation is essential to farming, the operator of Cadell Orchards faced a significant energy challenge. In its off-grid operation spanning 1,690 hectares, the Sunraysia almond orchard sustains more than 500,000 almond trees.
ROMANIA: Digitizing irrigation systems helps farmers achieve better harvests. Pumping stations now use 30-40% less energy and use water more efficiently too.
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SOUTH AFRICA: Discover how a South African farmer achieves 155,000+ kWh in annual energy savings thanks to a collaboration between Danfoss and BMG.
SPAIN: Sumsol achieved significant energy savings and emission reduction by converting grid-powered pumps to solar power, optimized by VACON® 100 drives.
By using VLT® AQUA Drives to control irrigation pumps, it is possible to adapt the pressure and flow in the system to the current demand. This results in significant energy savings.
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