The first off-grid commercial solar and battery system in Australia powered by a Tesla Powerpack has been launched in Queensland.  

The project, delivered by Logan City Council’s Logan Water Infrastructure Alliance, has already delivered the Council a capital cost saving of $1.9 million and operational cost savings valued at almost $50,000 per year.

The Tesla-supported micro-power grid and electro-chlorinator will provide around the clock solar-power to help maintain local drinking water quality 24 hours a day. Up to 200,000 people will benefit from the solution by the time the region is fully developed.

City of Logan Mayor Luke Smith said the 20 ML Round Mountain Reservoir was brought into service in 2014 to provide drinking water for residents in Flagstone, Yarrabilba, North Maclean, Spring Mountain and Woodhill.

“This is set to be one of the fastest growing areas in South-East Queensland over the next two decades but with that growth comes the issue of building assets larger than are needed right now,” Smith said.

“We were concerned until demand increases, water stored in the network may age and not stay at the highest possible quality.

“We decided there was a need for a dedicated water chlorination station at the reservoir.

“The reservoir site is not connected to mains power or accessible via a sealed road so an innovative approach was required to maintain water quality from the reservoir.”

Smith said a number of options were investigated, with a solar powered electro-chlorination facility confirmed as the preferred technology. CSR Bradford was engaged to supply and install the system.

Business Manager Ashleigh O’Brien said the project was the first off-grid commercial solar and battery system in Australia powered by Tesla Powerpack, and showcased the growing potential for Australian assets to achieve energy security through solar and battery technology.

“The electro-chlorinator is powered by 323 solar panels and a 95 kWh capacity Tesla Powerpack, that will help provide water quality 24 hours a day”.

“The project involved the Bradford team working with Tesla to design and install a solar PV and commercial battery solution which will work harmoniously in response to the site’s real-time energy requirements, and its success signals further potential to roll this technology out across the country.”

 Image: Solar panels at Round Mountain.