EMERGENCY BACKUP POWER SYSTEMS FOR WASTE TO ENERGY FACILITY

Kwinana, Western Australia

EMERGENCY BACKUP POWER SYSTEMS FOR WASTE TO ENERGY FACILITY

Nestor DeNiese
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER POWER GENERATION

OVERVIEW

CAPS Australia successfully delivered a comprehensive emergency backup power system for a Waste to Energy plant. This large-scale project took place in Western Australia at Kwinana, 40km south of Perth. The case study provides insights into the complexity of the project, the specialised solution provided by CAPS Australia, and the successful commissioning of the project on time and within budget.

OBJECTIVES

The customer’s primary goal was to source an emergency backup power system supplying 3100kVA with a noise limit of 85dB @ 1m. This requirement was essential for the Waste to Energy plant, which processes non-recyclable waste, and demanded uninterrupted power even in the event of grid failure.

OUR SOLUTION

CAPS Australia, renowned for its end-to-end solutions in power generation and compressed air, offered the following solution to meet the customer’s objectives:

1 x 3100kVA Kohler Diesel Generator: Known for power density and reliability.
Acoustic Container: To meet the noise level constraint.
Integral 0.415/11kV Step-up Transformer and MV Switchgear: Custom-fitted into a shipping container.
Low Noise and Compact Air Coolers: To manage excessive ambient conditions.
Neutral Earth Resistor (NER) and Generator Ancillaries: For safety and reliability.

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING

The task was not merely about supplying a reliable 3.1MVA diesel generator but delivering an 11kV system with all necessary components, fitting within an acoustic enclosure, and confined to a 40ft container footprint.

CUSTOMISED PACKAGING

A purpose-built 40ft container was designed to accommodate all the equipment, including a custom-built control system for synchronization and parallel operation with mains. The design had to overcome the challenges of:

Real estate limitations
Noise constraints
Elevated ambient conditions over 45⁰C
The solution by CAPS Australia involved meticulous equipment selection, design development, and collaboration with experienced acoustic & cooling system partners.

MANUFACTURING

All modifications and engineering were completed at CAPS Australia’s in-house manufacturing facility in Welshpool, Western Australia, operating under an ISO9001:2015 Quality Assurance system. This ensured that every component met the highest standards of quality. Full load testing and functional tests at FAT were conducted to ensure a favourable outcome.

BENEFITS

The CAPS Australia solution provided major benefits:

Compact Design: Less real estate required.
Accessibility: Easier and safer serviceability by local technicians.
Reliability: Less downtime and greater availability.

CONCLUSION

This project highlighted CAPS Australia’s ability to provide a customised, state-of-the-art solution while maintaining a competitive edge for our customer’s Waste to Energy plant.
The success can be attributed to the collaboration between local engineering expertise, world-class equipment selection, and a commitment to fulfilling the unique requirements of the customer, all under the guidance of an ISO9001 Quality Assurance system.
By delivering on its promises, CAPS Australia has not only facilitated a crucial energy-security measure for the facility but also fostered trust and partnership with major industry players such in the Waste to Energy sector.