New monitoring system to track real-time emissions at Tarong

1 April 2019

The Tarong power stations, located 45 km south east of Kingaroy, have recently installed a new $2.0 million continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) which will allow the site to more accurately measure and report its emissions using real-time data straight from the power stations’ stacks.

Tarong Site Manager Brad Perry said the significant investment in installing the new monitoring system was part of the power stations’ commitment to transparently report emissions.

The Tarong power stations (which include Tarong Power Station and Tarong North Power Station) report their emissions annually to the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI), using a generic emissions factor permitted under the NPI guidelines.

From 2019/20, emissions from the power stations will be reported using the new, world-class continuous emissions monitoring system.

“Using this system, we will more accurately understand our emissions and be able to adjust and optimise our operations,” Mr Perry said.

“Our goal is to safeguard the wellbeing of the environment and communities.

“We recently reviewed and changed the electrostatic precipitator rapping procedure at Tarong power stations which has helped to reduce dust concentrations released to the surrounding environment.

“We conduct comprehensive air quality, surface water and groundwater monitoring, to ensure our operations are not negatively impacting the surrounding environment and neighbouring community.

“In 2017/18 we invested more than $16.2 million in the Tarong power stations to ensure the site operates as efficiently and that we meet our environmental compliance requirements.

Tarong and Tarong North power stations operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet Queensland’s energy demand. In 2017/18, the total energy sent out by the Tarong power stations was more than 11,200 GWh, which represents almost 20 per cent of Queensland’s annual electricity demand. The power stations have one of the highest levels of availability in the National Electricity Market, recording a combined availability of 89.6 per cent in 2017/18.

In the case of Tarong Power Station, it has reported comparatively high levels of particulate emissions in 2017/18.

This is the result of both an increase in generation to meet market demand and an increase in the ash content of the coal used to generate electricity. While there was an increase, particulate emissions were controlled to ensure they remained within Environmental Authority limits.

With emissions from the electricity generation sector comprising around one-third of Australia’s total emissions inventory, Stanwell recognises that it has a key role to play in managing and monitoring emissions, while providing secure and affordable energy for Queensland households and businesses.

Tarong North Power Station is classified as supercritical, making it one of Australia’s most efficient coal-fired power stations.

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