Frequently Asked Questions
- WHY WAS THIS SITE NEAR SCONE CHOSEN?
- WHERE WILL THE PROPOSED KYOTO ENERGY PARK BE LOCATED?
- WHAT SORT OF RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE KYOTO ENERGY PARK PROPOSAL?
- WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS FOR THIS TYPE OF ENERGY PRODUCTION?
- WILL THERE BE MUCH NOISE COMING FROM THE WIND TURBINES?
- WHAT WILL THE NOISE SOUND LIKE FROM THE WIND TURBINES?
- WILL THERE BE AN IMPACT ON LOCAL ECOLOGICAL SPECIES?
- WILL THE TURBINES BE VISIBLE FROM MY HOUSE?
- WHAT IS SHADOW FLICKER AND ARE THERE ANY ADVERSE AFFECTS?
- WHAT IS BLADE GLINT AND IS IT AN ISSUE?
- WHAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ARE CREATED BY THIS PROJECT?
- HOW WILL LOCALS BE ABLE TO USE THIS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE?
- WILL THERE BE AN IMPACT ON ADJACENT RESIDENTS IN REGARD TO DETRIMENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH LIVING UNDER HIGH TENSION POWER LINES?
- WHAT IS THE ACTUAL KYOTO ENERGY PARK WAITING ON TO BEGIN THIS PROJECT?
- HOW WILL THE ENERGY PARK AFFECT THE FARMER?
Q. WHY WAS THIS SITE NEAR SCONE CHOSEN?
In 1995 the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) now known as the Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (www.deus.nsw.gov.au) identified Mountain and Middlebrook Station as one of eleven sites in NSW highly suitable for the generation of electricity from wind. A wind monitoring tower was installed by the CSIRO on the site and has been logging wind conditions for over 9 years, confirming the location as practical and effective. Since then a taller wind monitoring mast has been erected for more detailed wind analysis such as wind shear and detailed weather reporting and correlation.
Q. WHERE WILL THE PROPOSED KYOTO ENERGY PARK BE LOCATED?
The Kyoto Energy Park will be located on the Range that forms part of the Great Dividing Range. The land to which the Development Application applies consists of two privately owned landholdings named Middlebrook Station and Mountain Station.
The Middlebrook Station site is located approximately 9 km North-west of Scone. The site is part of the Glen Range, and is a single ridgeline which runs approximately North-South across the site. Middlebrook Station has an elevation between 580m and 620m above mean sea level.
The Mountain Station Site is located approximately 10 km west of Scone. The site is an area of escarpments and ridges with the most prominent called the Mount Moobi escarpment. Mt Moobi is of elevation between 600m and 640m and runs in a North-South direction.
Q. WHAT SORT OF RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE KYOTO ENERGY PARK PROPOSAL?
Since concept inception it was always intended that the Kyoto Energy Park would be a progressive showcase of a combination of renewable energy. The Kyoto Energy Park will include an integrated supply of wind turbines, solar PV and a closed loop mini-hydro system for increased reliability of supply to the grid during peak periods.
Wind Farms are very popular both in Europe, China, the US and also Australia. Wind energy is currently the fastest growing energy sector, increasing globally at around 30% annually. Governments around the world have stimulated investment in renewable including wind and solar PV and introduced measures to accommodate investment. The Australian Federal Government has recently announced stimulus packages to support renewable energy uptake and also announced an increase in the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) to 20%.
Scone is a very unique site in the fact that not only is it a good wind site but also has great sunlight access and long daylight hours for efficient solar energy production. Large elevational changes and steep ridges will facilitate the implementation of a mini-hydro plant.
The Kyoto Energy Park is also facilitating the introduction of 'smart loads' technologies.
Q. WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS FOR THIS TYPE OF ENERGY PRODUCTION?
The proposal is for an Energy Park that hopes to create electricity from eco-generating devices such as Wind Turbines, Solar PV, and a mini-hydro plant. Renewable energy sources are better for the environment than electricity generated from non-renewable sources. Generating electricity by burning fuel (coal, natural gas, diesel, and biomass) affects air and water quality by creating emissions like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These Greenhouse gases concentrate in the atmosphere and can then increase in pollution and global warming of our planet.
Renewable technologies such as Wind and Solar PV can save our natural resources such as water, air and land and reduce pollution from other fossil-fuel related activities. Other real benefits include:
- Clean and renewable alternative to conventional forms of electricity production such as coal and gas
- CO2 reductions that are equivalent to removing 90,000 cars off the roads;
- An estimate of 9.5 million tonnes of CO2 gases abated over the initial life of the technology proposed;
- Clean and renewable energy production free from other air pollutants such as coal dust, heavy metal compounds, carbon monoxide, sulphur and nitrogen oxides;
- Production of enough green energy to power approximately 62,000 households each year;
- Reduction in water consumption in the Hunter Area by approximately 700 million litres of potable water per annum (~12 Olympic Swimming Pools every day!);
- Short and long term jobs, reinforcing the Hunter as a region of high skills in the generation of Electricity.
- Keeping the Hunter clean and green. Renewable alternatives to conventional forms of electricity production such as coal and gas
- With just one wind turbine, the Energy Park would generate enough electricity to satisfy Scone's annual electricity consumption.
Q. WILL THERE BE MUCH NOISE COMING FROM THE WIND TURBINES?
The two main sources of noise are wind turbine generator noise and aerodynamic noise from the blades. Quiet operation has become critical for turbine design and manufacture, and consequently modern turbines are very quiet. Mechanical components such as drive train and generator are insulated and dampened to reduce noise and vibration respectively.
Blades are aerodynamically designed to reduce turbulence and air separation noises during operation. Well designed wind turbines are generally quiet in operation, compared to the noise of road traffic, trains, aircraft and construction activities, and even just the noise of branches moving next to your property.
Noise emission compliance for the Kyoto Energy Park project will be determined based on the potential to generate noise levels above ambient or existing levels in the vicinity of the Park. This results in turbines being sited far enough away from occupied houses or configured in such a way as to protect the existing ambience of the residence and rural setting.
Q. WHAT WILL THE NOISE SOUND LIKE FROM THE WIND TURBINES?
The sound turbines produce is predominantly aerodynamic, and is generally perceived as more "natural" than most sources of industrial noise. Wind turbine sounds may be heard at a distance in adverse conditions. When heard the sound is usually described as a 'whooshing' sound which is the sound generated from the blades as they pass the tower of the turbine.
In addition, the noise tends to be at a lower level when wind speed is low, and rises as the wind speed increases. As wind speed increases, so does wind-generated background noise from trees and bushes at neighbouring houses, which tends to mask the sound of the turbine.
Full details of the Noise impact assessment can be viewed under Environmental Assessment. The Kyoto Energy Park layout is designed in such a way as to mitigate or eliminate noise impacts on nearby residents surrounding the Park to acceptable levels.
Q. WILL THERE BE AN IMPACT ON LOCAL ECOLOGICAL SPECIES?
Pamada have prepared an Environmental Assessment which includes a detailed investigation of potential impacts on the local and regional ecology such as birds, bats, endangered habitat and native plants. While Renewable Energy Parks are good for the environment as a whole they have to be located in areas that will not cause any detrimental harm to the native flora and fauna. Key tasks to be addressed in the study include:
- Identification and consideration of critical species, local habitats, and ecological communities
- Impact on birds and bats from blade strikes,
- Vegetation clearing during construction,
- Identification of any wildlife corridors and endangered habitats,
- An assessment of any impacts associated with the proposal on the Towarri National Park.
Q. WILL THE TURBINES BE VISIBLE FROM MY HOUSE?
Wind turbines need to be sited in areas of high consistent winds, which generally means they are located along mountain ridges and hilltops which are typically areas most visible from a town or viewpoint.
There is generally some controversy over the visual impact of Wind Turbines as the level of 'impact' is related to how the observer perceives the turbines. Some people may see them as 'obtrusive' and others may perceive them as majestic.
The Visual Impact Assessment was undertaken by a specialist consultant to evaluate the visual impact on the rural setting around Scone and the valley. The visual assessment technique comprises a systematic and semi-quantitative approach that utilises computer/GIS based mapping capabilities to accurately determine zones of visual influence (ZVIs) within a 10/20km radius of the site and to map areas that will experience different levels of visual effect.
The visual assessment method is transparent, responds to the specific visual characteristics of the Energy Park, and provides a GIS-based approach to the determination of visual impacts.
Modern turbines are designed to reduce visual impact as much as possible during their operation. Some of the controls available to the developer to mitigate visual significance in a wind project include:
- Turbine design and layout. Turbines are well spaced apart with fewer machines than in the past. Turbines are strategically placed in relation to critical viewpoints from the surrounding areas to reduce visual prominence.
- Turbine Operation. Wind turbines are designed to rotate at a uniform speed and in a uniform direction to improve aesthetics. Modern turbines have fewer blades and spin at slower speeds.
- Turbine appearance. The turbine may be painted in an off-white or light greyish colour with a dull matt finish to eliminate reflection.
Q. WHAT IS SHADOW FLICKER AND ARE THERE ANY ADVERSE AFFECTS?
Shadow flicker is the term given to the change in light intensity caused when a moving object projects a shadow onto a receiving surface. With respect to wind turbines, the effect is caused by the rotating blades casting a moving shadow over a residence. For example if a person is within a building, shadow flicker from a turbine will result in an intermittent variation in the natural light intensity.
If the regular changes in light intensity levels are high or experienced for significant periods of time, then the shadow flicker may cause a nuisance. For this to occur all of the following must occur:
- There must be enough sunlight (i.e. very little or no cloud cover);
- There must be a direct line of sight between the turbine and the observer (i.e. any obstructions from vegetation, other buildings will prevent the flicker from being observed);
- The turbine must be operating with the rotor orientated towards the receiver. (i.e. if the rotor is facing perpendicular to the line between the sun and the receiver, very little flicker will be observed. Therefore wind direction will influence the level of flicker experienced);
- The sun must be in the correct position (i.e. directly behind the turbine and at the correct angle in the sky).
- The receiver must generally be within a distance of 1km from the Wind Turbine (i.e. studies show that Shadow Flicker has little effect beyond a distance of 1km from the turbine)
- Furthermore the potential to cause Shadow flicker disturbance to residents will depend upon the frequency of the observed flicker (in Hertz), the distance from turbines and the sensitivity of the receiver to periods of flicker impact.
Q. WHAT IS BLADE GLINT AND IS IT AN ISSUE?
Blade glint refers to the regular reflection of sun off rotating turbine blades and is therefore generally a temporary effect. Blade glint could potentially be an occurrence where the viewer is located above the altitude of the turbine hub, which is not the case at Scone.
Blade glint depends on a number of conditions including the orientation of the nacelle, angle of the blade, and the angle of the sun at any point in time. The reflectivity of the surface of the blades is also important, and is influenced by colour, blade finish and age of the blade. Blades are generally off-white or light-greyish in colour with a dull matt finish to reduce the potential for glint to occur.
For more information please refer to the Environmental Assessment Section.
Q. WHAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ARE CREATED BY THIS PROJECT?
Substantial benefits are likely to come to the towns of Scone and the Upper Hunter through the Kyoto Energy Park project including local employment, community projects, improved local infrastructure (including electrical stability), increased goods and services available locally, tourism and the opportunity for increased economic activity.
A significant amount of direct and indirect employment activity would be attributed to the construction phase. Permanent and contractual employment at the Park would be related to operations, maintenance, and monitoring of the Park facilities, Managers residence and the Visitors Centre. It is anticipated that 15 equivalent permanent jobs would be created as a direct consequence of the Energy Park.
Q. HOW WILL LOCALS BE ABLE TO USE THIS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE?
At this stage the Kyoto Energy Park Company hasn't signed a retail/commercial license for the on sale of our electricity. We are hoping that we have an agreement with a supplier that will provide the local residents of Scone with Green power energy at no extra cost to the householder.
Scone residents will however be able to source 100% of their electricity from renewable resources generated near their town.
Q. WILL THERE BE AN IMPACT ON ADJACENT RESIDENTS IN REGARD TO DETRIMENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH LIVING UNDER HIGH TENSION POWER LINES?
High tension power lines generally refer to high voltage transmission lines (330kV) which are not proposed as part of the Kyoto Energy Park Project. It is intended to upgrade the existing power lines, where possible replacing them with either 66kV lines for connection to grid.
Electro-magnetic fields (EMFs) decay with distance from the line. No potential effects from EMF were found in the report. Underground power lines will be used on site to prevent damage and improve visual amenity. Further details of Electrical Connection and EMF's please see the Section on Environmental Assessment.
Q. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL KYOTO ENERGY PARK WAITING ON TO BEGIN THIS PROJECT?
A Project Application with accompanying Preliminary Assessment Report was lodged with the NSW Department of Planning in Dec 2006. Following initial review the Department then issued the Director Generals Requirement's for Environmental Assessment in May 2007.
Pamada have now finished the Environmental Assessment Report on behalf of the Kyoto Energy Park Company as part of the planning and approval stages of the project. Pamada will continue to consult with the local residents and landholders in the area to quantify issues, benefits and constraints during the public exhibition and specific design phase.
Construction would generally commence subject to pamada receiving planning approval from the NSW Department of Planning.
Q. HOW WILL THE ENERGY PARK AFFECT THE FARMER?
Renewable technologies have the potential to create a new drought proof rural-based industry to complement existing rural business and to diversify the source of farm incomes, which can be particularly important during prolonged droughts. The Kyoto Energy Park will not require water for production of electricity on of the major advantages of this enterprise in rural areas.
The Energy Park is situated on two sites owned by one family who has long been associated with grazing in the district. The two sites are predominantly cleared pastoral land that is mainly used for sheep grazing and agricultural purposes. The traditional rural activities will not be disturbed by the presence of the Energy Park and will continue right up to the base of the wind turbine towers and Solar PV array.
The Energy Park is expected to take up less than 0.5% of the total overall site area, including the area for WTGs, solar PV arrays, mini-hydro plant, access roads and other buildings and facilities. The bulk of this 0.5% of area is taken up in the existing access roads which will be upgraded to improve access and maintain sediment and erosion control.
The Kyoto Energy Park is an initiative that follows the tradition of the innovative spirit of the Aussie farmer.
