Shearers' quarters on a station typically include a cookhouse with fridges, freezers, ovens and a dishwasher, a shower block needing plenty of hot water at knock-off time, bunkrooms with lights and heaters, and a laundry running washing machines and dryers for filthy work gear. The cook starts before dawn and the evening peak hits when the whole gang finishes at once. On off-grid stations, a generator carries all of this, usually running long after the last light is off.
With no engine, the system runs quietly, so the gang sleeps without a generator thudding outside the bunkroom. Hydrogen is made from off-peak power where there is grid, or from wind or micro-hydro on off-grid stations, and stored at 30 bar or less for weeks between runs. The fuel cell and battery carry the evening peak, with a UPS-mode inverter switching instantly if the grid fails.
How it works →
Lights, fridges, freezers and laundry fit easily within 15 kW. The challenge is the half hour when ovens, showers, heaters and washing machines all run together. Large electric water heaters and ovens are heavy loads, so the pilot would look at whether the peak fits or whether gas cooking or staggered hot water makes more sense. Round-trip efficiency is 30% or less, so heating water from hydrogen is energy-expensive.
Possibly not at peak. Big ovens and water heaters can push past 15 kW together. The pilot would look at the evening peak and suggest staggering or using gas for heat, with hydrogen covering the electrical loads.
Yes, if the station has wind or micro-hydro to make hydrogen. Without either, it needs grid power to charge. Many high-country stations have streams that could suit micro-hydro, subject to a site check.
No. It makes its own hydrogen from water using wind, micro-hydro or off-peak grid power. Between shearing runs, the store fills and holds for weeks without losing charge, so the quarters are ready the day the gang drives in.
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