Sustainable energy supplies in remote areas

Reliable, consistent and affordable energy supplies are vital to everyday living. In remote communities a range of different fuels and technologies for energy sources are used including

• Wood - open fires, BBQs
• Bottled Gas - stoves, fridges
• diesel generators - household and town supplies
• solar and wind - small and large scale systems

Remote communities face challenges in using these technologies to provide sustainable energy services. Isolation from maintenance services and other expertise relating to increasingly complicated energy technologies can mean experiencing many disruptions to supplies. Sometimes inappropriate technologies have been used. Keeping them functioning well may cost more money than available; replacement of parts may not be easy and the technologies may not suit the level of use they get or the environment they operate in. Community residents might not have the level of understanding and capacity required to look after energy technology and use it safely.

CAT works with community members, Resource Agencies, contractors and utility companies to assist with the selection of suitable technologies and develop capacity for maintenance and repairs. CAT runs the http://www.bushlight.org.au program which is delivering renewable energy systems to small communities across Australia utilising an approach that foregrounds planning for energy needs and developing capacity in troubleshooting and repairs. CAT is also piloting an Integrated Technical Services program that consolidates service delivery across technical areas - water, housing, energy, waste - within regions through the use of mobile technical service teams.

A premise of CAT's work is involving local people in the management and maintenance of their assets and identifying the level of responsibility that consumers, service providers, and other agencies need to assume in relation to these activities