Background
Mt Big Talbingo is a multi-agency shared communications site operated by Fire & Rescue NSW and the NSW State Emergency Service. Located deep within the Kosciuszko National Park, the site provides radio coverage along the Snowy Mountains Highway – a major east–west route linking the NSW South Coast with the South Western Slopes.
This highway is steep, winding, and often weather-affected during winter months with heavy snow, ice, and fog. Emergency incidents such as vehicle accidents and breakdowns are common, making reliable communications for first responders absolutely critical.
Challenge
Prior to the site upgrade, the solar and battery system supporting the 12Vdc radio repeater struggled to provide reliable power during extended periods of poor winter weather. Diesel generators were ruled out due to environmental restrictions within the national park, where protecting the sensitive high-alpine environment is a priority. Any solution also needed to be compact, low-impact, and capable of operating unattended for long periods, as 4WD access to the site is prohibited from early May to November.
Solution
Reliable Winter Backup in Australia’s High Country
To overcome these challenges, Fire & Rescue NSW deployed an EFOY Pro 2400 Duo fuel cell system integrated into the existing solar and battery installation. The final site configuration now consists of:
- > 3 kWp solar array
- > 400 Ah battery bank
- 1 × EFOY Pro 2400 Duo
- 2 × M28 methanol cartridges
The EFOY Pro provides autonomous and environmentally responsible backup power, ensuring uninterrupted operation of the critical communications repeater throughout the winter months.
The use of methanol cartridges was seen as a significant advantage. Unlike liquid fuel generators, no refuelling or chemical handling is required on site, eliminating the risk of spills or environmental damage. Two M28L cartridges can be installed within the cabinet, providing sufficient reserve energy to cover the entire winter period.
The compact footprint of the EFOY Pro also ensured the solution complied with site restrictions within the national park, avoiding the need for large enclosures or additional infrastructure.
Outcome
The EFOY Pro system has now been in operation for more than five years, providing reliable backup power for the 12Vdc radio repeater that supports Fire & Rescue NSW and NSW SES communications. The system proved its resilience during the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires, when the Mt Big Talbingo site survived while continuing to provide uninterrupted service to first responders in the region.
By choosing the EFOY Pro, the agencies achieved a balance of reliability, environmental responsibility, and long-term autonomy, ensuring that critical communications remain available when they are needed most.
Powerbox Australia
As the authorised partner of SFC Energy in Australia and New Zealand for more than ten years, Powerbox supplies and supports the full range of EFOY Pro fuel cells and methanol cartridges. With deep experience in critical communications, Powerbox provides turnkey system design, integration, and logistics support to ensure reliable fuel cell deployments across even the most challenging and remote environments.
