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.
