How Tatiara Trucks cut energy costs by 80% without a grid upgrade

Project Snapshot

Project Snapshot

Installer: Bordertown Pumps

Project: Tatiara Trucks & Trailers commercial workshop, Bordertown, South Australia

System: 100kW / 240kWh RedEarth Dingo commercial battery energy storage system (BESS), integrated with rooftop solar and backup generation

Commissioned: 2025

Challenge: Rising electricity costs, limited 200A grid capacity, and the high cost of a grid upgrade were restricting business growth and energy resilience.

Outcome: Reduced annual energy costs by approximately 80%, increased available site capacity from 200A to 340A, avoided a costly grid upgrade and around $20,000 per year in demand charges, while providing reliable backup power for uninterrupted operations.

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“For a business that supports freight operators who are always on the move, having reliable power and lower operating costs has made a real difference [...] The RedEarth Energy Storage battery has allowed us to increase our available energy capacity, dramatically reduce our electricity bills and improve energy security at our location.”
Dylan Jenkin and Jaime Virgin,
Owners, Tatiara Trucks and Trailers

✔ 80% reduction in annual energy costs

✔ Avoided costly grid upgrade

✔ 340A available site capacity

✔ $20,000/year demand charges avoided

✔ 100kW / 240kWh commercial BESS

The challenge.

As Tatiara Trucks expanded its heavy vehicle repair business in Bordertown, South Australia, its existing electrical supply could no longer keep up with demand. Annual electricity costs had reached around $100,000, and upgrading the site’s grid connection was prohibitively expensive. The business also needed reliable backup power to avoid disruptions during outages.

The solution.

RedEarth, together with installer Bordertown Pumps & Refrigeration, delivered a customised 100 kW / 240 kWh Dingo commercial battery energy storage system (BESS) integrated with rooftop solar and backup generation. The containerised solution was designed for fast installation, increased site capacity and intelligent energy management.

The results.

The system has transformed the site’s energy performance by:

  • Reducing annual electricity costs by approximately 80%
  • Increasing available site capacity from 200A to 340A
  • Avoiding an expensive network upgrade
  • Eliminating around $20,000 per year in potential demand charges
  • Providing reliable backup power to keep operations running during outages

During summer months, electricity bills have been close to zero while the battery now supplies around 80% of the site’s annual energy requirements.

A smarter alternative to grid upgrades

For growing commercial and industrial businesses, battery energy storage can provide additional capacity, reduce electricity costs and improve energy resilience—without waiting for costly grid upgrades.

Tatiara Trucks now has an energy platform that supports future business growth while delivering lower operating costs and greater energy security.

Download full case study

Limited-Time Offer: Find out if a commercial battery system is right for you

Get a complimentary energy feasibility analysis from RedEarth’s commercial energy team and discover how battery storage could reduce costs, improve reliability and lower your reliance on diesel. 

“Having a RedEarth battery meant we could reduce our reliance on grid electricity, demand on the grid and having to pay for an expensive grid upgrade.”
Dylan Jenkin and Jaime Virgin,
Owners, Tatiara Trucks and Trailers
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