Submission: Response to Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety – Energy Policy WA

We congratulate the Western Australian government for reviewing and upgrading its planning of the Reserve Capacity Mechanism, which underpins the state’s South West Interconnected electricity system as it undergoes transformation to a zero emissions future.

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We are the Australian Solar Thermal Industry Association (AUSTELA), an industry association that promotes the benefits of concentrating solar thermal power technology (CSP) for power generation and industrial heat applications including solar fuels.

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Solar thermal involves concentrating the sun’s rays with mirrors to heat a fluid, then using the heat to produce steam and drive an electricity turbine. Solar thermal includes storing the heat in molten salt tanks to produce electricity for 12-20 hours or more, or to provide industrial process heat. There are more than 100 CSP plants in operation around the world, but no utility scale systems in Australia.

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We have read the RCM Review Information Paper (Stage 1) and Consultation Paper (Stage2). We would like to share some recommendations and concerns regarding the Papers.

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Yours sincerely

Keith Lovegrove

Craig Wood

Victor Marin

Directors, AUSTELA

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Please read our response to the Papers here.

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