Video: Melbourne Water’s mini hydro-electricity program

Duration
02:24
Audio described version
Transcript

Speakers

Narrator – Joseph Keller


[music]

As part of our commitment to renewable energy, Melbourne Water is continuing to expand our network of Mini-hydro electricity plants. Using excess pressure inherent in Melbourne Water’s water supply system to generate renewable electricity means we are harnessing a natural, sustainable and reliable source of energy, rather than letting this energy go to waste.

Melbourne Water is delighted to announce the commissioning of five new mini-hydro electricity plants to add to the nine already in use in our water supply system.

Nine plants have been operating for seven years. The five new plants are at Dandenong, Wantirna, Mt Waverley, Cardinia Creek and Boronia.

The plants were delivered in pre-assembled, self-contained units, offering simple, weather resistant power delivery solutions which were brought online quickly.

Once the water has been diverted through the power plant it flows back into our water supply system, which feeds into the residential water supply network across Melbourne.

With the addition of the five new mini hydros, Melbourne Water will generate more than 69,500 megawatt hours of power per year via hydroelectric generation or enough power for more than 14,100 homes. We will be preventing over 75,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to taking more than 29,200 cars off the road. The operation of mini-hydro plants allows our water supply operations to actually contribute more electricity to the grid than they consume Based on last year’s consumption in water supply operations, this would be 13,413 megawatt hours more than consumed.

All mini hydro plants are fully remote-controlled, operational from offsite and seamlessly integrated into Melbourne Water’s supply system to ensure uninterrupted operation.

Melbourne Water’s mini hydro plants combine economic and ecological efficiency to produce renewable electricity from sustainable sources. Melbourne Water is also planning more mini hydros in the future.

For more Information – phone Melbourne Water on 1800 712 434 or email us at [email protected]