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Renewable EnergyThargomindah's role using alternative energyThis page is not about renewable energy in general. It is just an amazing insight in the history of a small Outback town using alternative resources. Thargomindah, in the far south west of Queensland's Outback, was the first town in Australia, and the third in the world, to use hydro-electric power for street lighting. The artesian water bore that provided the water power was drilled in 1893. Water pressure was so powerful that the local council decided to build a power plant. Lights in the street went on in the same year. The hydro-electric power plant continued to supply Thargomindah with electricity until 1951 when it was replaced with a generator driven by a diesel engine. ![]() Scalding hot artesian water comes from the 795 m deep bore in Thargomindah The Pelton Wheel is a wheel driven by a jet of water from an Artesian Basin bore. It is connected to dynamos by a shaft and uses the energy of the water to provide electricity. As the demand for electricity rises, a valve is opened to increase the speed of the water wheel and when the load decreases, the water is cut. The original water-wheel was made locally (probably by local blacksmith Joe Hood) to the design of Mr. Holmes, the engineer to the Division board. It is said to have a casing made from a ship's water tank. (information from the displays in the shed at the town bore) ![]() ![]() Read more about Thargomindah Tired? Check out the Queensland accommodation page to find a place to stay.
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Search This GuideQueenslandThe Outback Guide covers all these places to travel Queensland Australian Stockman's Hall Of Fame Thargomindah -> well-known for using -> renewable energy Queensland AccommodationFree Travel Brochures
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