Remote area power supply system technologies in Western Australia: new developments in 30 years of slow progress

Renewable energy capacity in stand-alone power supply (SPS) systems has undergone a dramatic growth in Western Australian (WA) remote off-grid agricultural and pastoral regions. This growth was encouraged through capital cost subsidies of photovoltaic, wind turbine and enabling technologies. This research explores and quantifies the changes over time of energy demand and the rated output of renewable and conventional energy components in SPS systems in WA. Individual SPS system components, especially the renewable technologies have seen some extraordinary progress over the past 30 years. These developments have enhanced the availability and flexibility of energy services to remote Australians, especially for the provision of 24-hour electricity availability. This research found a parallel increased rate of conventional generation unit output ratings, the incorporation of renewable energy technologies, and a greater energy demand over the past decade. Unfortunately SPS systems often failed to meet the high expectations of individual owners who each invested many tens of thousands of Australian dollars (AUD) on SPS capital equipment and maintenance. There remain many technical, social, economic and regulatory barriers to overcome for the small-scale stand-alone power supply service industry in WA.