White Cliffs Solar Power Station
H Lardner
Dear TICCIH members
Graeme Hanigan has contacted me seeking advice on a preservation project that he is considering undertaking.
Graeme writes:
The little opal mining town of White Cliffs, in the far west of NSW is home to the world’s first Solar Thermal Power Station, developed by a team from the ANU in early 1980s.
Its significance is recognized by a Heritage Plaque from Engineers Australia.
The Solar Thermal Power Station passed its research trials and then supplied power to the town on a commercial basis until 1997. It was then converted to Photo Voltaic, feeding power into the newly constructed grid until 2005 when the station was shut down, locked up and now sits gathering dust and gradually rotting away.
I have a technical background and recently spent a week onsite cataloging the major items on eHive.
Fortunately most of the original solar thermal equipment is intact.
This is the wiki listing;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Cliffs_Solar_Power_Station
The site was originally set up to accommodate tourists and can be returned to this state which is the main reason for preservation. I suspect it may also present great educational opportunities as it is close to the UNSW Fowlers Gap research station.
With the support of the sites owners, the Central Darling Shire, I am in the process of forming a 'Friends Of' group in order to apply for funding.
My problem in establishing a budget is knowing what is involved in the preservation of a unique electro-mechanical system of this type which includes a Lister Diesel Engine converted into a Uniflow Steam Engine and 14 mirrored solar thermal collectors.
To date I have been unable to locate a conservator with this sort of expertise.
If anyone is able to assist Graeme either themselves or by providing contacts, can you please email him directly?
His email address is wri...@fastmail.com.au
This sounds like a fabulous project.
Regards
Helen
Helen Lardner
Architect, Director
HLCD Pty Ltd
L1 808 Glenferrie Road Hawthorn VIC 3122
T 03 9818 3444 M 0408 300 911
W www.hlcd.com.au E h.la...@hlcd.com.au
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