Enhancement of an insular power system in the outback of South Australia

The outback of Australia is characterised by its remoteness from traditional electrical energy supplies and vast distances between inhabited areas which impede supply of commodities. Insular power systems are typical solutions for such localities, usually consisting of a generator energised by diesel fuel or liquefied petroleum gas. In this paper an enhanced, hybrid system is considered by adding solar energy to the existing energy generating installation, and reliability, economics and the environmental aspect of the proposed solution, are considered.