Renewable Remote Power Generation
Latest news - NTCA releases renewable power handbook - large stations
In partnership with the Northern Territory and Federal Governments the NTCA initiated a research project to explore the opportunities for large cattle stations to convert to renewable power. At the start of the project it was envisaged that there were real options available, however the findings of the project demonstarte that there are a number of key factors that will have to change before renewable power becomes feasible for large cattle stations. The project did however identify a range of significant cost and energy savings.
A handbook has been developed to present information on potential methods and actions to reduce diesel fuel consumption for electricity generation. The production of this handbook was funded by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) under the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program.
Energy is fundamental to running a station and is a significant expense,
particularly in remote, off grid locations. There is no magic solution that fits all,
but there are options and actions that can reduce this expense.
Some actions, without involving expense or changes to lifestyle/comfort, will
deliver savings. Spending (investing) money to save even more money is a
viable option, but not one that some may wish to hear.
In short this booklet provides guidance on energy supply options, energy use
and lifetime costs. The charts and calculations in the booklet aim to provide
simple tools to allow assessment of options for a range of variables
encountered at remote locations.
There are a variety of options available, but ultimately some of these result in
higher or similar lifetime costs (without Government rebate programs) to the
use of conventional diesel fuelled generating sets. That aside, some of the
options may be attractive for personal or environmental reasons.
ACCESS RENEWABLE POWER HANDBOOK HERE
What is renewable and hybrid power?
Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS) systems (hybrid systems) combine solar energy, with diesel generation and through the use of an inverter and a battery bank provide 24 hour power.
Do they work for remote stations?
Yes, by 2008 thee were over 25 stations, from quite small to quite large, throughout the NT presently enjoying the benefits of Renewable Energy, see map for more info.
How much will it cost? Is it worth it?
It isn't until you get a system designed and costed for your station that you will know what it will cost and if it is worth it. When rebates were available payback was between 4-6 years.
Use the 'Generator Cost Calculator' to calculate the actual cost of your current system over time.
What rebates are available?
There is currently no rebates available for installation of renewable systems and the NTCA has lobbied for the reinstatement of an incentive program for off grid renewable systems.
There are Renewable Energy Certificates (REC's) can reduce the cost of your system; visit the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator for more information.
the list of stations which have installed renewable systems (with the subsidy / rebate) are listed below.
Aileron |
|
| Year Installed: | 2007 |
| System Size: | 12kW Inverter, 80 x 175W Solar Panels, 30 x 1800Ah Batteries |
| Power from solar: | 88% |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses, staff qtrs & workshop |
| Major load items: | 11 air con; 5 freezers, 5 fridges, 2 coolrooms, pressure pumps |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $150,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 14,308l/yr |
Allambi |
|
| Year Installed: | 2003 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 33% |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses, staff qtrs, 2 workshops, hangar |
| Major load items: | 8 aircons; 2 freezers; 3 fridges; cool room; 1 pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $75,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 8,580l/yr |
Ambalindum |
|
| Year Installed: | 2003 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 57% |
| Homestead Size: | 1 house and 1 workshop |
| Major load items: | 1 aircon; 3 fridges; 2 freezers; |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $30,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 2,450l/yr |
| "Just fantastic to have 24 hour power in the bush. It would be hard to go back to not having 24 hour power." | |
Amburla |
|
| Year Installed: | 2002 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 50% |
| Homestead Size: | 1 house; 3x staff qtrs & workshop |
| Major load items: | 3 aircon; 1 freezer; 2 fridges; pressure pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $60,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 5,600l/yr |
Amungee Mungee |
|
| Year Installed: | 2004 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 99% |
| Homestead Size: | 1 house and 1 workshop |
| Major load items: | 1 fridge; 1 freezer; pressure pump; bore pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $75,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 7,000l/yr |
| "Going with solar power was a very good decision. I'd recommend more pastoral station owners switch to solar." | |
Anningie |
|
| Year Installed: | 2006 |
| System Size: | $100,000 |
| Power from solar: | 58% |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses; 2x staff qtrs & 1 worksop |
| Major load items: | 4 air cons; 3 fridges; 3 chest frezers; 1 coolroom |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 9,500l/yr |
Atula |
|
| Year Installed: | 2004 |
| System Size: | |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses, 1 shed |
| Major load items: | 1 coolroom; 1 aircon; 1 freezer; 4 fridges |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $35,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 2,000l/yr |
Avago |
|
| Year Installed: | 2007 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 79% |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses, staff qtrs & workshop |
| Major load items: | 7 air con; 4 freezers, 2 fridges, 2 coolrooms; 2 pumps |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $125,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 10,730l/yr |
Coniston |
|
| Year Installed: | 2001 |
| System Size: | |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses, one demountable & workshop |
| Major load items: | air con; freezer, coolroom |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $100,000 |
| "Our fuel consumption has reduced dramatically and during winter 100% of the stations electricity is powered by solar energy." | |
Deepwell |
|
| Year Installed: | 2002 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 43% |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses; 2x staff qtrs & 2 workshops |
| Major load items: | 5 aircon; 4 freezers; 3 fridges; 2 coolroom |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $90,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 6,850l/yr |
| "At a $1.90 a litre, we're saving $1500 a month", Our generator used to run between 10 and 12 hours a day, now, with the solar system, we're averaging half that and we've got power 24 hours a day. It's great." | |
Dry River |
|
| Year Installed: | 2005 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 38% |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses & workshop |
| Major load items: | 9 aircons;4 freezers; 2 fridges; pressure pump; submersible pump; outside coolroom; |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $180,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 15,000l/yr |
| It's excellent. Would find it hard to go back to the generator. | |
Hodgson River |
|
| Year Installed: | 2006 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 80% |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses; 3x staff qtrs, workshop & school |
| Major load items: | 3 air cons; 3 freezers; 4 fridges; 2 coolrooms; pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $125,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 10,500l/yr |
Kalala |
|
| Year Installed: | 2008 |
| System Size: | $90,000 |
| Power from solar: | 45% |
| Homestead Size: | 1 house & workshop |
| Major load items: | 2 aircons; 2 chest freezers; 2 fridges; 2 pumps |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $90,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 7,910l/yr |
Larrizona |
|
| Year Installed: | 2007 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 90% |
| Homestead Size: | 1 house, 1 staff qtrs & workshop |
| Major load items: | 2 chest freezers; 2 fridges; pump, pressure pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $70,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 4,292l/yr |
Lucy Creek |
|
| Year Installed: | 2001 & 2007 |
| System Size: | |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses, kitchen, 2x staff qtrs, schoolroom, 2 workshops & equipment shed |
| Major load items: | 10 evap wall, 1 refr air con; 5 freezers; 1 fridge; 3 coolrooms; |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $120,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 7,000l/yr |
Lyndavale |
|
| Year Installed: | 2006 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 49% |
| Homestead Size: | 1 house, 1 staff qtrs & workshop |
| Major load items: | 7 aircons; 2 freezers, 1 fridge, 1 coolroom; 1 pump, 1 paressure pump; |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $75,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 6,000l/yr |
| The best thing you could ever do. Everyone should have one. | |
Mt Skinner |
|
| Year Installed: | 2004 |
| System Size: | |
| Homestead Size: | 1 house, 2x staff qtrs & laundry |
| Major load items: | Aircon |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $50,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 2,900l/yr |
| "Best thing we've ever done. Wish my dad did it years ago" | |
Palmer Valley |
|
| Year Installed: | 2001 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 41% |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses, staff qtrs, school room, workshop & equipment shed |
| Major load items: | 6 aircons; freezer; fridge; cool room; |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $60,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 6,800l/yr |
| "When we first installed our 24 hour solar power system, we only thought of the dollar savings. The convenience of having 24 hour power for our family and staff, and the peacefulness of it, out weighs everything" | |
Sunday Creek |
|
| Year Installed: | 2001 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 40% |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses, workshop & equipment shed |
| Major load items: | 2 Aircon; coolroom; freezer |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $50,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 6,700l/yr |
| "Bloody fantastic" | |
Wollogorang |
|
| Year Installed: | 2004 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 27% |
| Homestead Size: | Roadhouse; 2 houses, motel units; 2 sheds & mens qrtrs |
| Major load items: | Numerous (power homestead, roadhouse, motel rooms & workshop) |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $165,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 12,000l/yr |
| "Going wth solar power was a very good decision. I'd recommend more pastoral station owners switch to solar." | |
Yambah |
|
| Year Installed: | 2001 |
| System Size: | |
| Homestead Size: | 1 homestead, 1 school room; 1 teacher accom & workshop. |
| Major load items: | 3 aircons; pressure pump; fridge |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $60,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 6,935l/yr |
Allambi |
|
| Year Installed: | 2003 |
| System Size: | |
| Power from solar: | 33% |
| Homestead Size: | 2 houses, staff qtrs, 2 workshops, hangar |
| Major load items: | 8 aircons; 2 freezers; 3 fridges; cool room; 1 pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): | $75,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: | 8,580l/yr |
How does it work?
Generator Set
The generator, along with the solar panels, provides power to the system. A big advantage of a hybrid system is that all the power being generated by the generator is used (captured in the battery bank), rather than being wasted as it is in a diesel only system.
The system will be designed for the generator to come on for a certain number of hours (differ summer to winter) per day/week. The generator will also come on automatically if a lot of power is being used or if battery levels are low. Large load items like welders can be run directly from generator.
Solar Array
Solar (photovoltaic) panels convert sunlight into electricity and can be placed on the roof of a house, or nearby, to gain the greatest access to the sun The size of the array is dependent on system design, energy requirements and generator hours. The working life of a solar panel should be over 20 years and can be added to if the system is upgraded.
Batteries
Energy is stored in large batteries, similar to a car battery but designed specifically for RAPS. They are usually of the lead-acid variety, either 'sealed' or 'flooded cell'.
Properly sized, well maintained battery banks are lasting for 8 years or more. Examples of batteries not lasting can be linked to either poor design or lack of maintenance.
Inverter
The primary function of the inverter is to convert the DC (direct current) power from the system to AC (alternating current) power that can be used by household appliances.
The inverter is also the brains of the system with a computer contained in it. This monitors and managed the performance of the system, automatically turns on the generator if required, and can also be accessed off site (via phone line) to monitor the performance of your system.
Homestead
Your homestead energy load will determine the size of the system required, with quite large loads able to be powered by RAPS systems. It is not until a system is designed and priced for our homestead that you can properly look at the economics of the system.
In getting a system you have the option of going for a larger system requires higher up-front costs and gets more power from solar, requiring minimal generator time, or a lower up-front cost option that will require more generator hours.
