The recently incorporated joint venture between Suvo Strategic Minerals Ltd and PERMAcast R&D Pty Ltd has executed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with wind development company, Wind With Purpose Pty Ltd (WWP).
Through the MoU the JV and WWP will work towards including lower carbon concrete in the construction of wind towers at WWP projects in Western Australia.
The JV is focused on developing low-carbon cement and concrete products, designed to reduce or eliminate the use of traditional Portland cement, which is a significant contributor to global CO2 emissions.
Wind power plans
WWP is engaged in the potential development of large-scale onshore and offshore wind energy projects in Western Australia with plans to install approximately 3 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind and 2 GW of offshore wind capacity.
To supply this capacity WWP will require the construction of between 400-500 wind turbines, where the volume of concrete required per foundation with respect to an onshore turbine can exceed 1,000 cubic metres.
Pilot project
Suvo's executive chairman Aaron Banks said: “We are delighted to engage with Wind With Purpose on this pilot project. We’ve teamed up with one of the largest precast concrete manufacturers in Australia and created two entities to deliver this initiative.
"We’ve demonstrated we can successfully create formulations and manufacture products of low carbon concrete and now we are developing the pathway to revenue.
"WWP are developing projects, both onshore and offshore to potentially deliver between 400-500 wind turbines with our JV having the first option to supply the concrete required for these developments.
"Our JV is also investigating new technology to build the footings and towers out of precast components and has already commenced negotiations with owners of this technology. Building both the footings and towers from precast components would require significantly more concrete again."
About the project
The MoU outlines the terms and conditions under which the JV and WWP will collaborate on a pilot research project to evaluate the feasibility of using the JV’s lower carbon concrete products in the construction of the proposed wind turbines.
Subject to successful demonstration by the JV of the viability of lower carbon concrete through the pilot project, if at any time following execution of this MoU and until five years after this MoU has been terminated, WWP propose to begin construction of a wind turbine, WWP must first offer the contract for supply of the concrete to the JV.
Significant step
PERMAcast CEO Darren Hedley said: "The MoU with Wind With Purpose represents a significant step forward in demonstrating the potential of sustainable concrete solutions in large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.
"We are committed to innovation and delivering cutting-edge precast solutions that meet engineering and durability standards and contribute to a lower-carbon future; we are excited to be at the forefront of developing and implementing advanced geopolymer and low-carbon concrete technology.
"This collaboration could revolutionise how wind turbine foundations are constructed, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of renewable energy projects in Western Australia and beyond.
“We look forward to working closely with WWP to validate and scale these solutions in the coming years.”
WWP’s potential developments remain subject to regulatory approvals, permitting, offtake and finance (amongst other items).
The MoU will remain in effect for two years unless terminated earlier by mutual agreement. WWP may terminate the MoU in the event the pilot program is not able to successfully demonstrate that the JV’s low carbon concrete is not able to meet Australian engineering standards and industry specifications for strength, be produced at commercial scale or be capable of being purchased at a commercially acceptable price.
In consideration for the first right of refusal, the shareholders of the JV will provide the foundation capital and services for the pilot program.
Sustainability at the core
“We are excited to have signed an MoU with Permacast Future Industries to explore low-carbon concrete (LCC) for wind turbine foundations and components,” Wind With Purpose CEO Chris Kearney said.
“As WWP looks to develop up to 5 GW of on and offshore wind capacity over the next 10–15 years, sustainability remains at the core of our mission.
“This partnership will kick off with a pilot research project at our proposed Wind Innovation Skills Park (WISP) in Kwinana/Rockingham, testing LCC’s potential to decarbonize wind infrastructure.
"The PERMAcast/Suvo JV is aiming to be a leader in sustainable materials innovation, specialising in low-carbon cement and high-purity kaolin, key to reducing construction emissions.
"We’re excited to work with the PERMAcast/Suvo JV, and industry partners to drive Australia’s renewable transition, support local manufacturing in Western Australia and reduce wind turbine construction costs.”