Yankaninna Station, Operation Flinders Foundation

Operation Flinders Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation, providing adventure therapy programs to young people to transform their lives.

To run their programs on Yankaninna Station in the Flinders Ranges SA, a off-grid power system was needed to reduce the on-going fuel consumption and maintenance costs of the remote facility. In addition, the promotion of clean and sustainable energy sources was a factor in the choice of the power system investment.

At peak occupancy the property accomodates 40 people for a short time, but for most of the year there is only one or two people on site.

The power system for this not-for-profit organisation would be funded by a private investment trust.

Property loads included pumps, workshop and office equipment, cooking equipment, fridges/freezers, and lighting. The desert-like conditions dicated a choice of reliable and robust soalr modules, and the pre-assembled equipment container included passive cooling features.

• 128kWh Battery Energy VRLA batteries
• 52x Tindo Solar 250W Modules (18kW)
• 44kVA Kohler Diesel Generator
• 6 x SMA SI5048 Inverter Chargers
• 3 x SMA SMC6000 Solar Inverters

Since the initial installation in 2013, Off-Grid Energy Australia has provided system expansions and upgrades to ensure power on site is future-proofed.

• Aug 2019 Battery & Solar Expansion
• Mar 2022 Inverter Upgrade
• Aug 2022 Battery Upgrade to Lithium-ion & Expansion
• Apr 2023 System Monitoring Upgrade

Apart from the long-term financial and environmental benefits of the renewable mini-grid system, the property is now much quieter with reduced noise pollution removed, and cleaner with less fuel & oils kept on site. The diesel fuel savings from the installation of the system will have a payback of roughly four years.