Reliable Hybrid Power in Coastal Conditions
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CASE STUDY – FPS20-10 with 10kW Ground Mounted Solar
YANKALILLA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA | 23rd January - 25th August 2024
A temporary construction compound on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula required dependable power for essential site facilities throughout an eight-month project.
The coastal location presented an additional challenge. Strong winds and exposed conditions meant the power system needed to remain stable, durable and reliable without depending on a diesel generator running continuously.
Future Power Systems deployed an FPS20-10 hybrid power system with an additional 10 kW quick-deploy ground-mounted solar array.
Across the project, approximately 96.4% of the site’s electricity was supplied by solar energy.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | SA Water |
Location | Yankalilla, South Australia |
Product Deployed | FPS20-10 with 10 kW quick-deploy ground-mounted solar array |
Application | Temporary construction site facilities |
Deployment Period | 23 January 2024 – 25 August 2024 |
Project Duration | 215 days |
Site Condition | Exposed coastal location with strong winds |
Diesel Generator Comparison | 45 kVA diesel generator |
WHAT WAS POWERED
The system supplied power to:
One 12 m × 3 m lunchroom
One 12 m × 3 m site office
A toilet block
One 20 ft containerised workshop
These facilities required continuous access to power for daily site operations, amenities, lighting and workshop equipment.
THE CHALLENGE
Temporary compounds are commonly powered by diesel generators operating 24 hours a day, even when overnight demand is low.
For this project, a conventional setup would have required an approximately 45 kVA diesel generator to remain operational for the full 215-day deployment. At an assumed consumption rate of 2.1 litres per hour, continuous operation would have used approximately 10,836 litres of diesel.
The coastal environment also required a solar configuration suitable for exposed, high-wind conditions.
THE FPS SOLUTION
Future Power Systems supplied an FPS20-10 hybrid power system supported by a 10 kW quick-deploy ground-mounted solar array.
During daylight hours, the solar array generated electricity for the site while supporting the system’s stored energy capacity. The diesel generator was retained as backup and operated only when additional energy was required.
This configuration allowed the compound to operate normally without continuously running the generator.
PERFORMANCE OUTCOME
Over the 215-day deployment, the system supplied approximately 5.6 MWh of electricity.
FPS20-10 | 45kVA Diesel Generator | |
Energy supplied by solar | 5.4 MWh | 0.00 MWh |
Percentage solar contribution | 96.4% | 0.0% |
Estimated diesel generator runtime | 18 hours | 5,160 hours |
Estimated diesel use | 59 Litres | 10,836 Litres |
The FPS20-10 diesel generator operated for an estimated 18 hours across the entire project.
By comparison, a conventional generator running continuously would have accumulated 5,160 operating hours.
ESTIMATED FUEL AND COST SAVINGS
The diesel comparison was calculated using:
A 45 kVA conventional generator
Continuous 24-hour operation
Average fuel consumption of 2.1 litres per hour
Backup-generator fuel consumption of 3.29 litres per hour while operating
Diesel priced at $2.20 per litre
Based on these assumptions, the hybrid system avoided an estimated:
10,753.75L
of fuel saved
$23,658.25
in fuel cost savings
29.0
tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided
These figures relate only to fuel consumption. Additional savings may also result from reduced servicing, refuelling, maintenance and generator wear.
The FPS20-10 delivered reliable power to a complete temporary site compound in exposed coastal conditions while supplying approximately 96.4% of the project’s electricity from solar. The system reduced estimated generator operating time from 5,160 hours to just 18 hours, significantly lowering diesel consumption, emissions, and ongoing site power costs.
A MORE EFFICIENT APPROACH TO TEMPORARY POWER
Future Power Systems designs and manufactures hybrid power systems for temporary, remote and off-grid applications across Australia.
By combining solar generation, energy storage and demand-controlled generator backup, our systems reduce unnecessary generator runtime while maintaining dependable power for site operations.
NEED A SIMILAR SYSTEM FOR YOUR SITE?
Tell us about your site location, load requirements and project duration. Future Power Systems can recommend the most suitable hybrid power system for hire, purchase or configured deployment.
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