TNG, which is developing the remote Mount Peake vanadium project in the NT, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Australian renewable energy group Energy Made Clean to evaluate and implement energy supply options for its 100%-owned including the potential supply of a state-of-the-art solar power system to the proposed development.

The MoU follows TNG’s recently announced MoU with a leading global vanadium battery manufacturer for the potential supply of a vanadium redox battery at Mount Peake.

EMC’s expertise in the design and installation of state-of-the-art commercial solar power installations will allow TNG to evaluate and implement the most efficient solution for the supply of energy at its operations.

A solar power system combined with a VRB storage system, could significantly cut power costs at TNG’s operations, reducing a need for diesel or funding a gas pipeline, if gas could be sourced.

Founded in 2004, EMC has developed solar PV, battery storage systems and off-grid energy systems delivered for a number of private and government clients.

TNG is in the final stages of its advanced feasibility study for the Mt Peake project, which will be a potentially world-class, long-life strategic metals project producing three highly valuable products: high-purity vanadium pentoxide, iron oxide and titanium dioxide.

Mt Peake comprises one of the largest undeveloped vanadium-titanium-iron resources in the world and has the potential to be a top-10 global producer of strategic metals.

The EMC systems would also be a showcase for solar and VRB installations in remote areas, with SPSs to be considered for the mine and the refinery.

“This work ties in well with the power supply scenarios we have been working on as part of the Mt Peake feasibility study, and has the potential to make a significant contribution to reducing our overall power costs at the project, while at the same time putting TNG and Mount Peake at the forefront of renewable energy use in the resource sector,” TNG managing director Paul Burton said.

“As a future supplier of metals, which are increasingly used by the ‘green energy’ sector, it is totally appropriate that we should be investing in a renewable energy solution for Mount Peake, and partnering with some of the world’s top practitioners in this area.”

The Mount Peake Feasibility Study is on track to be completed in the next few weeks, with the results expected to be announced in July.