THE COMMUNITY

The Community comprises four houses, ablution block and laundry. The population fluctuates between 10 and 30 people.

LOCATION

In 1994 Appropriate Energy Power Corporation Pty Ltd as project consultants for the Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation Alice Springs, contracted Farrell Bros. Electrical Contractors to install a renewable energy based power system for the Penthinteme (Cave Hole) Aboriginal Community 140km south of Alice Springs.

THE SYSTEM

This 36kWh/day renewable energy system comprised a Appropriate Energy S20000 wind turbine as the major energy source inputting an average 28kWh/day in the very exposed location and 8kWh/day from a 28 x 66 Watt solar array.

An 8kVA Kubota diesel has been installed as a standby power supply. 27 x 12 Volt Sonnenschein batteries have been installed to give a usable 32kWh/day of storage in an insulated power house together with the electronic controllers and a 5.5kVA AES bi-directional inverter.

INSTALLATION

The system was installed by Farrell Bros. Electrical Contractors, Alice Springs in September 1994.

MAINTENANCE

The Appropriate Energy wind turbine requires an annual inspection and service by a certified and trained dealer or installer. The process should normally take approximately one hour to complete. Bearings need to be changed once every five years and would take less than a day to carry out. The gel-cell batteries require no maintenance.