Yarrabah Microgrid from Vulnerability to Resilience
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council, Energy Connect, Planz Town Planning, Transmobility Consulting
Land of the Traditional Owners: Land of the Gunggandji people and the Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji people
This project proposes a solar-fed microgrid, to tackle the challenges associated with dated and vulnerable electricity infrastructure - leading the way for many other remote Queensland communities to do the same. The microgrid will improve community resilience by relieving reliance on a single 90 kilometre overhead powerline, while also improving the reliability, sustainability and affordability of power supply. In turn, the microgrid will open up opportunities for Yarrabah not previously possible.
The judges were impressed by the project’s clever low-cost approach, and adaptive use of infrastructure (including a knowledge and science centre which will double as a cyclone shelter). The judges were also impressed by the extensive community consultation and education undertaken, and applaud the project team’s ability to unite people with diverse expertise and backgrounds, toward one common goal.
This unity-building is at the core of good planning, and makes the Yarrabah microgrid feasibility study a worthy recipient of the Wendy Chadwick Encouragement Award.
Category Sponsor