(ADELAIDE – Mar. 22, 2023) Multi award-winning nature conservation attraction, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary together with leading off-grid installer Apex Energy Australia, have announced today the commissioning of the Arkaroola Microgrid in the northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Backed by a $1.3 million grant from the Australian government, the renewable microgrid will provide critical energy security to power decades of global science and environmental research at the site, which is slated for UNESCO World Heritage Listing.
Located 600 kilometres north of Adelaide, Arkaroola offers spectacular outback scenery with precipitous peaks and valleys, extreme topographic diversity, gorges and creeks . It is an inspiring destination for artists, aviators, astronomers, adventure bikers, birdwatchers, bushwalkers, four-wheel drive adventurers, geologists and those seeking knowledge and adventure. With approximately 12,000 visitors per year, the tourism hot-spot also showcases almost two billion years of geological history. Its world-class dark skies for astronomical observations have attracted international interest with a joint US operated observatory at the site.
The site is caught between a challenging environment in remote Australia and a desire by local, state and federal governments to showcase the treasures of the region. Operating since the mid 1960s on diesel power, the sanctuary has been beholden to fluctuating fuel prices and road access issues, as well as presenting an ethical conflict.
“Being so remote, we have to generate our own electricity and we’ve been doing that based on diesel fuel,” said Doug Sprigg, son of founder Reg Sprigg. “Arkaroola is about conservation, we really should be trying harder to move away from diesel, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Equipped with a total of four solar arrays, 120kWh of battery storage, and monitoring and control capabilities which manage loads such as EV charging, air conditioning and hot water heating, the microgrid will not only provide a reliable ongoing supply of clean energy to power the sanctuary, it will also serve as an additional educational experience in remote energy technology and engineering.
“Apex Energy is delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead this project for such a special and iconic Australian landmark. We were inspired by the Spriggs’ passion for conservation and the chance to make a difference by giving them energy independence to continue the valuable work they do.”
Access to essential services such as electricity and drinking water has become an existential threat to many of Australia’s remote communities, with diesel becoming less affordable to run onsite as well as to transport long distances. Renewable microgrids offer a solution to provide an ongoing source of clean energy to be used as electricity, but also to power other essential services as communities face increasing droughts and extreme weather events.
Remoteness brings a unique set of challenges in the design and engineering of an off-grid microgrid. Quality and reliability of renewable technologies and balance of system products is essential to minimise maintenance and replacement, which carry a high cost. In addition, technologies would need to take extreme temperatures in their stride, and the resulting energy consumption patterns that come with not only ambient weather but influxes in visitors to the site.
“Microgrids present a practical solution to help regional and remote communities achieve energy sovereignty and independence, and the growing awareness has become evident through a noticeable increase in enquiries from outback South Australia and interstate, said Sean LePoidevin, Regional Manager Australia & Pacific at Apex Energy. “We work with communities to understand their needs and help them navigate their options from the many smart distributed energy technologies available to them, to protect them from rising electricity, gas and fuel prices so they can prosper.”
“Arkaroola is a demonstration of what’s possible for other outback communities looking to set themselves up with clean, sustainable energy for the future.”
“Arkaroola has been a labour of love,” said Sprigg. “It’s taken a lot of perseverance to cope with power outages, uncertain and expensive diesel supply as well as powering our water system. The microgrid resolves a decades-long challenge and we’re excited for the future.” “We see Arkaroola as a public resource and ourselves as its caretakers,” said Sprigg. “It’s our job to protect it and share its wonders with the world. It’s everybody’s.”
About Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
Located 600km north of Adelaide in the ruggedly spectacular northern Flinders Ranges, this 610sq km multi award-winning Wilderness Sanctuary was founded by the Sprigg family in 1968 and continues to operate to this day with a strong emphasis on science, education and conservation. With a Geological History reaching back almost 2 billion years, Arkaroola has also featured in creation stories by Indigenous Peoples for tens of thousands of years the area was later brought to the attention of the modern world by the late Professor Sir Douglas Mawson.
The Sprigg family are true pioneers of tourism in the region, becoming the first Flinders Ranges tourism venue to achieve the coveted Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation and now offers a wide and varied range of experiences for guests you to enjoy, Arkaroola is truly unique. Our third successive S.A. Tourism Award win for Ecotourism (November 2007), saw Arkaroola awarded the coveted Hall of Fame, and is undoubtedly one of South Australia’s premier ecotourism destinations.
About Apex Energy
Apex Energy is an Australian-based team of energy industry experts with many years of combined industry experience. Apex Energy exists to deliver electricity to you in the most cost effective, seamless and transparent experience possible. We want to empower you to manage your own and your community energy needs with smart technology plus the best combined energy services, innovative designs and savings.
We believe in listening to customers to build market-leading designs and solutions from the ground up. We believe in partnerships, collaborations and outsourcing to the industry’s best minds. Our ‘ Apex Pledge ’ promises accountability for our actions.
Media Contact Australia Olivia Smith Positive Good Email: olivia@positivegood.com.au Tel. +61 402 044 811