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Zero emissions technology is changing how we can conceptualise the future energy grid. Innovators like Australian Flow Batteries, who are helping to accelerate the energy transition across industry, are now able to test and develop their technology in real world conditions, thanks to the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP).

Utilising the AARP’s purpose-built 51ha industrial test bed site and innovation hub designed to support cutting-edge technology deployment in real-world conditions, Australian Flow Batteries partnered with another AARP user, the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO), to replace traditional diesel-powered infrastructure with a fully autonomous, solar-based energy solution.

The project is not only saving NTRO money, but is significantly reducing carbon emissions, offering a real-world proof of concept application of green energy innovation, and demonstrates the strategic value of innovation precincts like the AARP in supporting practical, scalable clean technology solutions.

The Challenge: Reliable Power in Remote Operations

Based at the AARP, NTRO’s research and testing facility supports some of Australia’s most advanced road infrastructure development, including the operation of its Accelerated Loading Facility (ALF). This work demands a consistent, uninterrupted power supply for high-performance workshops, satellite offices, and testing equipment.

Until recently, that power came from a conventional 30kVA diesel generator. While functional, the generator brought with it a suite of persistent issues: high operational costs from diesel fuel and generator rental, complex refueling logistics in a remote location, and a substantial carbon footprint that ran contrary to Australia’s net-zero ambitions.

NTRO faced a common but critical challenge, how to maintain energy reliability without the environmental and financial burdens of diesel.

The Solution: AFB’s All-in-One Hybrid Diesel Replacement System

Australian Flow Batteries is a pioneer in scalable renewable power solutions. AFB proposed a fully integrated, containerised solar based energy system that would deliver consistent and reliable power utilising battery storage, and smart energy management, all in a single, deployable unit.

AFB’s All-in-One Hybrid Diesel Replacement System was designed for exactly this kind of environment: remote, high-dependency, and underserved by traditional grid infrastructure.

The system installed at NTRO facility at the ARRP includes:

• 46.4 kilowatts peak (kWP) of solar generating capacity, mounted on retractable rails for protection and mobility.
• Onboard battery storage, scalable from 15 to 105 kilowatt-hours (kWh), providing round-the-clock energy availability.
• Plug & play deployment, which allows a team of three to four personnel to have the system operational within just a few hours.
• Advanced monitoring and control, including RJ45 LAN connectivity with optional cellular or satellite access for remote system oversight and SCADA integration.

“Unlike traditional renewable installations, AFB’s solution is engineered for fast deployment and re-deployment. The solar array can be safely stowed in under 30 minutes during extreme weather events, and the containerised unit can be relocated or scaled up with minimal disruption” said Shane Meotti, Managing Director of Australian Flow Batteries.

The Results: Emissions Eliminated; Budgets Protected

Since the installation, NTRO has achieved a significant reduction in diesel usage for its operations at the AARP. According to Lance Laird, ALF Program Manager Sustainability and Materials Performance from NTRO “AFB’s support in supplying power to the ALF site during site setup and the commissioning phase has been invaluable. It’s allowed us to keep operations running without relying on diesel, which has made a real difference—both environmentally and logistically. Beyond the technical benefits, having this level of collaboration on-site has made a complex process much smoother. This kind of practical, on-the-ground support has made a noticeable impact.”

Mr Meotti reinforces this message, stating “by removing diesel generators and utilizing AFB’s Diesel Replacement System, it’s not just the environmental impact we’re seeing. There is a huge benefit in terms of reducing operational costs and increasing efficiency.”

AFB outlines the critical numbers and impacts companies can expect to see from their system:

• Carbon Savings: The transition has eliminated approximately 8 tonnes of CO₂ per month, amounting to 70 tonnes annually—a significant figure that supports both organisational and national decarbonisation targets.
• Financial Benefits: Operational cost savings using the AFB system are estimated at $2,500 per month, or $30,000 per year, through the elimination of diesel fuel and generator rental, even after accounting for the cost of the AFB system.
• Operational Efficiency: The automated, smart energy system reduces the need for hands-on maintenance, while the constant energy availability ensures research activities proceed without interruption.

A Blueprint for Remote and Critical Infrastructure

This project is not just a one-off success—it is a model for what is possible across a range of sectors where diesel is still the default energy source. Whether in defense, mining, agriculture, emergency response, or other research institutions, many operations face similar challenges: the need for consistent power in locations where grid access is impractical, and the imperative to reduce carbon emissions.

AFB’s hybrid system provides a scalable, modular alternative that delivers both economic and environmental wins. And with growing pressure on industries to adopt ESG-friendly practices, the case for solar-based, off-grid energy is stronger than ever.

In an era defined by the need for sustainability, NTRO’s decision to partner with Australian Flow Batteries demonstrates leadership and vision. It shows how the right technology, when applied thoughtfully, can solve real-world problems—improving performance, reducing cost, and protecting the planet.

The Role of the AARP: A Living Lab for Innovation

The AARP played a pivotal role in making this success possible. As one of Australia’s largest facilities dedicated to testing and scaling automation, robotics, and clean technologies, the AARP provides:

• Purpose-built test beds for real-world trials of energy, automation, and infrastructure solutions
• Collaborative access to government, research, and industry stakeholders
• Flexible site conditions ideal for off-grid or hybrid power deployments
• Supportive ecosystem for accelerating the commercialisation of new technologies

The precinct’s remote-capable environment allowed AFB to test and prove its diesel-replacement system in conditions representative of future customer use cases—whether in mining, transport, defence, or agriculture. This kind of infrastructure is essential to derisking technology investments and speeding up the path from pilot to adoption.

Renu Kannu, National Robotics Innovation Lead at the AARP says, “the AARP provides companies with unparalleled access to test and develop technologies critical to achieving an emissions free future. Without a dedicated innovation facility like this, so close to the Perth CBD, this kind collaboration between AFB and NTRO, would simply not be feasible.”

Looking Ahead

As Australia and other nations chart a path to net-zero, projects like this will become increasingly common—and necessary. For Australian Flow Batteries, the NTRO project validates years of R&D and positions the company as a key player in the next generation of clean energy infrastructure.

But perhaps the most important takeaway is this: decarbonisation doesn’t have to mean compromise. With the right technology, clean power can also be reliable, affordable, and easy to deploy—even in the most challenging environments.

Thanks to Australian Flow Batteries, for NTRO, the future is here and it’s running on sunlight.

Find out more about Australian Flow Batteries here.