Ampt, the leading DC optimiser company for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems, has announced that its String Optimizers will power the solar-plus-storage system for Hiringa Energy’s green hydrogen and ammonia production facility. The initiative forms part of the Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia (GEGHA) project in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and supports Sundown Pastoral’s low-carbon cotton production operations.

The GEGHA project, located at Sundown Pastoral’s Good Earth cotton farm near Moree, integrates solar energy, battery storage, and hydrogen production to create a sustainable alternative to imported fertilisers and feedstocks. It has received AUD 35.8 million (USD 23.6 million) in funding under the NSW Government’s Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020–2030. Led by engineering firm Kinelli, the project represents a strategic collaboration between solar, hydrogen, and agricultural leaders that aligns clean energy supply with agricultural demand.

Producing hydrogen through electrolysis is traditionally energy-intensive and often reliant on fossil fuels. However, the GEGHA project deploys renewable solar power and battery energy storage to generate green hydrogen for ammonia production, achieving near-zero emissions. The ammonia is then used to produce low-carbon fertiliser, securing Sundown Pastoral’s fertiliser price and supply for the next two decades while enabling the production of cotton with a reduced environmental footprint.

The facility features a 27 MWdc solar array coupled with a 30 MWh battery energy storage system. Ampt’s String Optimizers enable a DC-coupled system architecture where the PV array connects directly to the DC bus between the battery and the grid-forming inverter. This battery-centric design ensures a stable power supply for the off-grid electrolysers, allowing continuous hydrogen production to feed the ammonia plant 24 hours a day.

Ampt String Optimizers, deployed within the solar array, perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT) on each input string of PV modules to maximise energy generation. They deliver full available power while following battery voltage as it charges and discharges. The system’s fast response times and grid service capabilities, such as Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS), make it highly efficient. By using fewer inverters and transformers than conventional designs, the Ampt solution provides a lower-cost and higher-efficiency power management system.

Source:

https://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=35975