INDUSTRY
Dairy
SOLUTION
Simply Flex
While Open Country already had Simply Flex installed on its Awarua electrode boiler to optimise its dual-fuel operations, we began exploring the idea of the boiler also supplying interruptible load to the reserves market.
For this to happen, the boiler would need to safely reduce load within a second and remain offline for up to half an hour – a first for our Simply Flex programme and an opportunity for Open Country to lead the way for other boiler operators to follow.
After scoping on-site electrical and automation requirements and installing the necessary equipment, we conducted rigorous testing. This ensured that the boiler could receive signals from Open Country’s control systems during grid events, monitor the boiler load when the event occurs, and, most importantly, work as expected without causing any disruption to site operations.
Open Country now contributes up to 13 MW of valuable interruptible load to the reserves market. It has helped demonstrate to other boiler operators the significant potential of this equipment to provide rapid and reliable grid support without disrupting operations.
Mark de Latour
Open Country’s CEO
