Tasmanian Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme (TEELS)

BRANXHOLM, TASMANIA SEPTEMBER 2018—Tin Dragon Trail Cottages have used TEELS finance to secure their power future. TEELS was a joint initiative of the Tasmanian Government, Aurora and Westpac. The scheme was designed to assist small Tasmanian businesses with the purchase of energy-efficient products.

With the expertise of Mode Electrical in Launceston, Christine and Graham have designed the ultimate system for a robust grid-connected energy storage system for their business. Thus ensuring long-term power security for a complex commercial site incorporating a house, workshop, and multiple accommodation units.

Graham says, “Multiple independent power sources with a quality, reliable battery storage and backup enables Tin Dragon Cottages to cope with Tasmania’s changeable weather or any other unexpected events that might disrupt normal power supply.”

Renewable Energy Storage

The system includes a 4.7kW micro-hydro generator and 17.5kW of solar PV. The solar PV being strategically located around the site as 3 independent solar arrays. In addition a 27kWh battery storage with UPS back-up ensures instantaneous backup to selected loads in the event of a grid outage. So Mode electric designed the site to operate independently of the grid. However there is still the security of grid-connection as a final back-up.

For more than half the year, the hydro system generates power 24/7 providing power for both load and battery-charging. Additionally, the Solar PV will continue charging the batteries during a grid outage. Thus enabling the batteries to remain charged and functional even if the grid were down for prolonged periods of time. The combined power generation is around 50,000kWh per year.

Hydro and solar both supply active loads on site, diverting excess into 2x Tesla Powerwalls for storage and later use. Once the batteries are full, the system exports surplus power to the grid.

At times the energy demand might be higher than the combined solar and hydro power generation. For example, during inclement weather or high energy demand at night. On these occasions, loads are supplemented by power stored in the batteries. The grid is able to provide extra power only as a last resort.

What better than—on a lazy hot summer’s day—to immerse yourself in the pristine clear waters of a secluded beach or waterfall? And where better to do this than in Tasmania—in fact North East Tasmania? Wild freedom with the exhilarating rush of silken pure water… While there are some (unofficial) designated skinny dipping locations in Tasmania, you may be like me and prefer individual privacy. Total seclusion with no prying eyes. A beach to yourself. A waterfall just for you.

In the summer of 2016-17 Graham and I took on a dare—to find secluded skinny dipping locations within a one-hour drive from Tin Dragon Trail Cottages. So next time you visit, why not experience the carefree freedom of leaving it all off?

Our selection does come with a small warning. While these locations are secluded most times of the year. To avoid embarrassment, it is a good idea to check thoroughly before peeling off!

#3 Bay of Fires

Always a favourite…at any time of year

Touted as the hottest travel destination in the world by Lonely Planet—I am inclined to agree! But you may need to pick your time and rock pool if you want complete privacy. Certainly don’t try a skinny dip on a school holiday.

If you dabble with the paint brushes, or have always wanted to but don’t know how to start, you may enjoy our Bay of Fires Art Retreat.

#5 Mount Paris Dam

Got to love a natural spa…

In conclusion

Finding the top five skinny dipping locations in north east Tasmania started off as a dare and became a highlight of our 2016 summer holiday season. Of course you don’t have to take it all off to enjoy nature at these fabulous secluded locations. There are little or no facilities at these places, so take some drinking water and don’t forget to slip, slop, slap to avoid the strong Tasmanian UV.

Why not buy a take-away lunch from a local cafe and ask us for a picnic basket? ENJOY!

Your own private skinny dipping location

At Tin Dragon Cottages, you can day dream or bathe under a million stars in your own private heated spa…

And then #6 Flinders Island

Flinders Island is all about clear ocean water, deserted beaches where you can safely skinny-dip, unique rock formations and wind! And, the best way to explore this unique island, is in a van. So, for two weeks in March – April 2024, we explored the island in our old Sprinter van.

Graham Cashion’s enthusiasm for harnessing the power of water for electricity was the driving force behind construction of a micro-hydro system in Branxholm Tasmania. The 7.5 kW generator converts 120psi of water pressure into 120kWhr of energy each day, supplying all the electricity needs for Tin Dragon Trail Cottages, eco-tourism retreat. Here I describe the system and its construction over three years: 2010 to 2013.

Graham’s Dream of Building a Micro-hydro System

Graham worked for the Hydro Electric Commission for five years, before National Service call-up in 1972. In 1968 the 18 year old Graham was snapped emerging out of the inspection bay of turbine No 3 at the Tarraleah Power Station (Tasmania)—the same year he received the top apprentice-of-the-year award. Over decades he continued dreaming about putting his experience into practice by building a micro-hydro system. In 2010, after establishing an eco-tourism retreat in North East Tasmania, he made his dream a reality.

The Construction Team Effort

Graham boasts that it took himself, a seventy year-old and a young boy, “ to achieve what the local Council couldn’t achieve—pipe clean creek water to Branxholm.” Standing near the micro hyrdo tail race are Ron (L), James (our son) and Graham. Ron says, “We done a bloody good job, too!”.

The dig up the final hill to the weir in 2010. Over the 3km route from the property to the creek, Graham was careful to avoid felling any large trees.

The deeply-buried 150mm galvanised steel pipe, air-bleed and inspection point are no longer visible. A rock cairn covers them. Graham is standing on the concrete spillway below the V-notch weir he constructed in 2010.

Graham completed the generator shed in 2013. Water feeds via the pipeline into the generator then dumps onto a concreted tail-race into the farm dam and into the nearby Ringarooma River. Visitors can see the generator, exciter and inverter through a large glass panel on the side of the shed. Graham loves talking to visitors about the micro-hydro and will gladly take them for an inspection of the pipeline and weir.

Micro-hydro Needs Ongoing Maintenance

After connecting to the grid in 2013 we were excited to flick the switch and celebrated receipt of Renewable-Energy Credits and first power bill showing a credit! However, a micro-hydro is not without costs and problems. Here, James is helping Graham clean out the generator jets after a heavy rain event sent stones down the pipeline.

Air bubbles can trap in the pipeline. Graham routinely checks the air-bleeds along the line. Notice that the valve is hidden. Graham suspects past damage to the pipeline and weir have been the work of local Branxholm vandals.

At the V-notch weir, nearly 100m above the generator, water flows into 3km of buried pipe. Graham routinely monitors the flow. When water stops flowing over the weir Graham shuts off the micro-hydro intake to maintain environmental flow in the creek.

On the day we were photographing for this blog, Graham surprised a man with his dog fossicking for gem stones near our weir. In the past some fossickers have damaged our weir. One person with a metal detector dug up part of the pipeline! While they were chatting the fossicker’s dog made herself at home in the driver’s seat of our 4WD.

Christine and Graham are planning an alternate energy workshop on their property in September 2019. Interested in learning more about this system design or micro hydro in general? You can contact Tin Dragon Trail Cottages for more information or to register your interest.