Premier recognition for mining and energy expertise

The University of Adelaide’s mining and energy expertise has been acknowledged at South Australia’s 2021 Premier’s Awards in Energy and Mining.

The Roseworthy solar farm project received a commendation in the Environment (Energy) category.

With two different battery chemistry storage systems, coupled with a smart-microgrid system, the University of Adelaide’s 1.2 MW solar farm at its Roseworthy campus is reducing peak electricity demand, network and energy costs. It is expected to offset over 45 per cent of the campus’s annual electricity requirements.

This smart, data-rich renewable energy system will be used for teaching by the members of the University’s Centre of Energy Technology (CET) and provide a living laboratory to support research staff and learning outcomes for engineering and computer science students at the University of Adelaide.

In the Industry and Collaboration (Energy) category the University’s industry partner EnviroCopper Ltd received top honours.

The company, in collaboration with its partners, has been researching in situ recovery (ISR) at a demonstration site at Kapunda. ISR is a mining technique that aims to recover valuable resources while minimising its environmental impact.

With the assistance of University researchers based at the Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources (IMER) EnviroCopper has effectively developed environmentally friendly solutions to extract copper, a vital commodity for ‘greening’ our world.

The University would like to congratulate all the entrants, finalists and winners in this year’s awards.

This is the tenth year of the Premier’s Awards in Energy and Mining which brings together industry to showcase innovative approaches and technology, applaud leading practice, and acknowledge the delivery of exceptional leadership in South Australia.