​We were fortunate to have Martin Nichol from Sun Real to speak to our group in November.
 
Sun Real completed the installation of a 100 percent renewable off grid micro hydroelectric system at Mt Stirling to service the Telephone Box Junction café, ski-shop and office, as contracted by the Mt Buller/Mt Stirling Resort Management Board. This was to replace the hydro system destroyed by fire during the bushfires of 2006-7 which was temporarily replaced by a diesel powered generator. The project by all accounts was a very challenging one due to the difficult terrain and the need to install a weir with 350 metres of 110 mm diameter poly pipe to deliver water to the AC ‘turbine’ with 80 metres of vertical drop.  Around  6 to 7 kW power is produced by the 3 phase alternator. This is converted to DC and then converted back to AC by associated inverters to provide 3 phase grid quality power.
 
To get the power from the turbine to Telephone Box Junction several hundred metres of aluminium cable was also installed. 650 metres is underground down the Mt Stirling Rd and 200 metres in steel conduit through bush country in accordance with the environmental requirements of the State Government and Energy Safe Victoria.
 
Also installed was a large lead acid battery bank costing around $30,000 and associated inverters.  This provides 70 kW hours of storage to boost power production when required.
 
Martin explained some of the difficulties and problems which arose with the project. The system has been operational since July this year and is working well according to reports.
 
Martin also imparted  a good deal of information about roof top solar systems generally and responded to many questions from interested participants regarding the latest types of panels available, micro inverters, power optimizers and battery back up. Martin also showed us some very interesting monitor displays of working solar systems. The information available from these displays shows how well the system is performing and how much power is being used at any time and how much is fed back to the grid.

​Everybody present found it a most interesting and informative session.
 
Les Rodgers

At our October meeting we considered pumped hydro schemes as an alternative option for baseload energy.  After a vigorous discussion about the complex nature of decision making about alternative energy sources we watched a recent Lateline program in which Bob Katter took Anthony Albanese on a renewable energy ‘power trip’ to see a range of renewable energy projects in his rural electorate.  It was refreshing to see two MPs from different political backgrounds engaging constructively in discussions about options for renewable energy during the trip, which included a visit to a pumped hydro scheme.  We then watched another video segment which explained the nature of pumped hydro schemes in greater detail (links are available on the Tech Savvy Talks web page).

After the break we moved on to advanced robotics, watching an absorbing documentary in which cameras followed the almost completely ‘roboticized’ BMW assembly line from go to whoa during the production of its 2018 model.   The comparison with the assembly line when David Hall worked at Ford c 1977 and when Bev’s Economics students attended excursions to see assembly lines operating at Ford and Holden during the 70s and 80s was stark.
  
Our next session will feature a guest speaker from local renewable energy business ‘Sun Real’. Sun Real’s recent projects have included a small hydro installation at Mount Sterling.  We had initially planned to go on an excursion with Martin from Sun Real to Mt Sterling in November, but after a ‘reality check’ decided most of our legs wouldn’t manage the walk in from the road!   

Our ‘Tech Savvy Talkers’ discussion group continues to meet at Rustik café on the fourth Thursday at 3 pm.   At the next meeting they will be farewelling Peter Simpson, who is moving to Shepparton.  We will miss you Peter!
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