Australian Potash to use renewable hybrid power solution for Lake Wells project
Published by Nicholas Woodroof,
Editor
World Fertilizer,
Lake Wells, located in the north-eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia, is Australian Potash’s flagship project and contains the largest JORC compliant Measured SOP resource in Australia at about 18.1 million t.
Lake Wells is positioned to be the lowest carbon dioxide emitting SOP project in Australia, with its K-Brite* SOP products serving as a greener alternative to SOP produced using energy-intensive Mannheim production methods.
The Mannheim SOP process involves the reaction of potassium chloride (or MOP) with sulphuric acid and accounts for 50 to 60% of the global production of SOP.
In comparison, K-Brite products are created through a solar salt evaporative process which produces 69% less CO2 emissions than Mannheim.
K-Brite has been certified for use in organic agriculture and has received green label debt verification to provide assurance of a positive environmental contribution.
The Lake Wells SOP project’s green credentials are supported by a renewable hybrid power solution, which will generate a base-case 63% renewable energy fraction (REF) rate with a pathway to 69% REF through battery energy storage system build-out.
Australian Potash Managing Director and CEO, Matt Shackleton said the company was committed to producing a sustainable product and having a positive environmental impact.
“Australian Potash has invested a lot of time and modelling into developing a greener alternative to Mannheim production methods,” he said.
“SOP is an essential fertiliser needed worldwide to support the agricultural and horticultural industries that feed our rapidly growing population from a decreasing amount of arable land.
“With a projected production of 170 000 tonnes of K-Brite SOP annually, we look forward to adding a more sustainable alternative into the fertiliser supply chain.”
Australian Potash recently completed the environmental permitting requirements set down by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Lake Wells SOP is expected to start production in mid-2023.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/environment/19082021/australian-potash-to-use-renewable-hybrid-power-solution-for-lake-wells-project/
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