It’s been more than 20 years since wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone. They’re back to hunting bison again.
Much of the area still looks like one of the wildest places in the country. Yet even though it is so far removed from civilization, Yellowstone still needs electricity.
This problem required a unique solution at Lamar Buffalo Ranch, a remote research station in northeast Yellowstone National Park.
Rather than using a conventional grid source, the site generates its own electricity through solar panels, batteries, and a small hydroelectric turbine.
The system was designed by engineering partner Cushing Terrell alongside the Park Service and other collaborators to replace the ranch’s old setup. According to the National Park Service, the electrical-system replacement at Lamar Buffalo Ranch is one of several utility-related projects underway in Yellowstone.
No power lines reach this corner of Yellowstone
There are no power lines leading into this corner of Yellowstone. As a result, no utility power reaches the site.
Prior to the upgrade, the ranch had a small solar panel installation and two propane-powered generators operating for approximately 1,000 hours each year. Together, they burned about 6,500 gallons of fuel annually.
Providing a reliable off-grid electricity supply where no utility grid connection existed became the major objective.
Instead of just depending on a single generator, the ranch was designed with solar panels, batteries, and a small hydroelectric turbine as the primary sources of electricity.
The water keeps generating power after sunset
After sunset the water continues to create electricity.
Perhaps the most innovative feature of the project described by the National Park Service was the inclusion of a small hydroelectric turbine tied into the existing water delivery system to the ranch.
The turbine utilizes water delivered by a pipeline coming from a spring about 0.5 miles away from the ranch. A drop in elevation of approximately 200 feet provides enough pressure to produce electricity constantly.
According to the project documents, the turbine produces about 4.5 kilowatts of power continuously. Following passage through the turbine, the water is released into Rose Creek.
Unlike solar-generated electricity, the turbine will continue to generate electricity past sundown. Therefore, it becomes an ideal complement to the ranch’s solar panels.
Generating enough power was not the challenge
The size of the solar array is unusually large compared to other off-grid installations. The 2017 upgrade originally featured 176 photovoltaic panels and used Camry batteries, though recent modernization work has since replaced both.
Frequently, the total electricity generated by the solar array and hydroelectric turbine exceeds the typical daily electricity needs of the ranch. If either system fails or ceases production, a propane-fueled backup generator remains operational.
Isolation forced Yellowstone to build a backup for everything
Isolated locations such as Yellowstone require creative methods for energy generation. At most sites, electricity is produced by simply tying into a local utility power line.
Because of its isolated location inside Yellowstone National Park, Lamar Buffalo Ranch could not use that method. As a result, Lamar Buffalo Ranch relies on multiple technologies that provide redundancy.
For example, if cloud cover significantly decreases solar generation, stored energy can be used to satisfy demand. When battery reserve levels become depleted, continued operation of the hydroelectric turbine will provide additional power. If multiple systems fail, the backup generator remains available.
Excess electricity changed more than the power supply
Furthermore, reliance upon propane has decreased. Excess generation capacity allows some equipment that once depended on propane to operate using electricity instead.
Visitors generally remember Lamar Valley for its abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. However, behind those scenes lies another operational system running continuously.
Batteries charge during sunlight hours, water turns turbines, and electricity remains available without relying on an external power grid.
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