Ekistica
Ekistica is an Australian advisory and technical consultancy specializing in remote and fringe-of-grid infrastructure, particularly off-grid and hybrid renewable energy systems, serving governments, utilities, multilateral banks, and developers across Australia and the Pacific.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersAlice Springs, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ekistica does
Ekistica is a private advisory and technical consulting firm headquartered at the Desert Knowledge Precinct in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, founded in 2007 as the commercial services arm of the Indigenous-controlled non-profit Centre for Appropriate Technology Ltd (CfAT). The company employs 11-50 multidisciplinary professionals — chartered engineers across electrical, renewable, power systems, environmental, process, water, civil, structural, and mechanical disciplines, plus commercial advisors, engagement specialists, and data analysts — to deliver three core service lines: advisory, design engineering, and project implementation, supplemented by knowledge sharing and data handling services (notably for ARENA). Its technical differentiator is remote and fringe-of-grid infrastructure expertise, including off-grid and hybrid PV-battery-diesel power systems, microgrids, and culturally appropriate infrastructure solutions, drawing on legacy work from the Bushlight Program (2002-2013) that established 150+ standalone energy systems in Indigenous Homelands.
Ekistica generates revenue through professional services fees across advisory, design engineering, owner's engineer, and project management engagements, with project-specific and quote-based pricing. The firm's go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting federal, state, and territory governments (ARENA, NT Government, Commonwealth agencies), utilities (Power and Water Corporation, Horizon Power, Territory Generation), regional development agencies, multilateral development banks (Asian Development Bank for Pacific projects), and commercial renewable developers and investors (Intera Renewables, ACE Energy, Granville Harbour Operations). Marketing is driven primarily by thought leadership — authored ARENA reports, IEA PVPS Task 13/18 contributions, industry conferences, and case studies — rather than digital channels. Distribution is direct via procurement processes, government tenders, and established relationships in Australia (offices in Alice Springs, Hobart, Albury) and internationally (Cook Islands, Palau, Indonesia, India).
The company is B Corp Certified (2023) and ISO 9001 accredited, and has received the Sir William Hudson Award (Engineers Australia), Asian Power Awards Solar Power Project of the Year, NT Regional Exporter of the Year, and recognition from Energy CIO Insights. Ownership remains wholly with CfAT, with no evidence of external institutional investment or PE/VC funding.
Ekistica firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ekistica
- Legal name
- Ekistica
- Website
- https://ekistica.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ekistica is an Australian advisory and technical consultancy specializing in remote and fringe-of-grid infrastructure, particularly off-grid and hybrid renewable energy systems, serving governments, utilities, multilateral banks, and developers across Australia and the Pacific.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ekistica industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Renewable Energy Engineering Consulting
- NAICS
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Infrastructure & Project Finance Advisory (BPAHADAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Commercial Structuring & Offtake (PPAs, CfDs, Corporate PPAs, Merchant Strategy) (EUAMAAAE), Incentives, Grants & Program Administration (Auctions, Tenders, IRA/ITC/PTC Advisory) (EUAMAAAJ), Project Finance & Capital Structuring (Debt/Tax Equity/Project Bonds) (EUAMAAAD)
Keywords
Where Ekistica is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alice Springs
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Ekistica business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Technical Advisory Services: Expert independent advisory and support services on infrastructure programme development and delivery including technical advice on renewable, electrical, power systems, civil, structural, environmental, process and water engineering projects
- Design Engineering Services: In-house electrical, structural, civil, water, process and environmental engineering capabilities including design optimization and technical specifications
- Project Implementation Services: Project and construction management services, owners engineer services, site supervision, acceptance testing and commissioning
- Knowledge Sharing Management: Data handling and knowledge sharing services for ARENA's Regional Australia Renewables and Large-Scale Solar portfolios
- Technical Due Diligence: Bankable technical due diligence reports for financiers and investors including yield analysis and performance assessments
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ekistica product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ekistica is an advisory and technical consultancy firm that delivers independent advisory, design engineering, and project implementation services for infrastructure projects in regional and remote Australia. The firm specializes in renewable energy, power systems, microgrids, hybrid power systems, and supporting infrastructure for utilities, governments, and remote communities. Services span policy advisory, feasibility studies, technical due diligence, owner's engineering, construction management, and knowledge sharing for energy portfolios.
Product overview
Ekistica is a professional advisory and technical consultancy firm offering three core service offerings: Advisory Services, Design Engineering, and Project Implementation. The company specializes in serving remote and regional communities with expertise spanning energy (renewable generation, storage, and network infrastructure), water systems, remote infrastructure, and environmental management. Their services are delivered through experienced multidisciplinary teams including electrical, renewable, power systems, environmental, process, water, civil, structural and mechanical engineers, commercial advisors, engagement specialists, and data analysts. The company also provides Knowledge Sharing Management services, particularly for ARENA portfolios. Rather than a unified software product, Ekistica offers professional services across four domains: Energy, Water, Remote Infrastructure, and Environment & Waste.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Advisory Services Expert independent advisory and support services on infrastructure programme development and delivery, including technical advice on renewable, electrical, power systems, civil, structural, environmental, process and water engineering projects. Targeted at government agencies, utilities, and commercial investors.
- Design Engineering In-house electrical, structural, civil, water, process and environmental engineering capabilities including power system design, network integration, environmental management planning, and design optimization with technical specifications. Delivered to utilities, governments, and private developers.
- Project Implementation Boots-on-the-ground project management services including project and construction management, owner's engineer services, procurement and contract management, site supervision, acceptance testing and commissioning. Delivered for renewable energy, water, and remote infrastructure projects.
- Knowledge Sharing Management Data handling and knowledge sharing services for ARENA's renewable energy portfolios, including data storage repository development, analysis and reporting, and development of knowledge sharing products for the sector. Targeted at government research agencies and program administrators.
Quantifiable outcome
- Jabiru Hybrid Power Station delivers 50%+ renewable energy, reducing 6,000 tonnes CO2-e annually
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ekistica
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Ekistica technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Ekistica partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and key.
- Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)coreLong-standing partnership as data handler and knowledge sharing agent for ARENA's Regional Australia Renewables (RAR) and Large-Scale Solar (LSS) portfolios since 2014. Authored multiple reports including Grid-Forming Battery Portfolio Series and Generator Operations Series. Currently developing Energy Service Delivery Model for First Nations Homelands under Regional Microgrids Program.
- Asian Development Bank (ADB)flagshipEngaged by ADB to support Palau Public Utilities Corporation in feasibility, scoping, development and delivery of 40MW renewable generation and 100MWh storage. Acting as technical advisor and owner's engineer for international development project.
- Original PowerkeyCommunity-focused Aboriginal organisation engaged by Ekistica to project manage delivery of technical and commercial feasibility assessments for Ngardara Borroloola community-owned solar power project.
- Intera RenewablescoreEngaged to conduct technical due diligence on Limestone Coast North BESS (250MW/500MWh) and provide owner's engineer services through construction and transition to commercial operation.
- ACE EnergycoreSelected as first-ranked Network Operator proponent for CWO REZ. Ekistica supported RFP Phase submission and continues to support in stand up of new TNSP, including provision of interim Project Director and Engineering lead.
- Intyalheme Centre for Future EnergyflagshipLed Alice Springs Future Grid project ($12.5M collaborative project 2020-2023). Ekistica directed techno-economic modelling, commercial microgrid activities, and public housing solar trial. Intyalheme is a flagship project of Desert Knowledge Australia.
- CSIROkeyKnowledge sharing partner for Alice Springs Future Grid project. Contributed to landmark reports including Roadmap to 2030 and Final Report.
- Desert Knowledge AustraliakeyProject partner in Alice Springs Future Grid consortium. Operates the DKA Solar Centre where Ekistica staff work.
- Power and Water CorporationkeyTerritory utility partner in Alice Springs Future Grid project and multiple infrastructure projects including Papunya Stabilisation Ponds assessment.
- Territory GenerationkeyTerritory generation utility partner in Alice Springs Future Grid project consortium.
- Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)coreCo-authored Generator Operations Series reports with ARENA covering topics including large-scale solar operations, ramp rates, negative pricing, and curtailed solar energy on the NEM. Collaborative data analysis partnership.
- International Energy Agency (IEA) PVPSkeyKey partner in global network for international cooperation and research on PV. Active member of Task 13 (improving operation and reliability of PV power systems) and Task 18 (off-grid and edge-of-grid power systems). Lead authored first Task 18 report.
- Centre for Appropriate Technology Ltd (CfAT)coreParent company - Indigenous controlled not-for-profit corporation. Ekistica is the commercial services arm established in 2007. CfAT provides governance and draws on 40+ years of experience working in remote areas with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Horizon PowerkeyUtility for Pilbara Network in Western Australia where PHIA PV & BESS project connects as one of first commercial-scale behind-the-meter customer solar and battery systems.
- Commonwealth and Northern Territory GovernmentscoreGovernment partners in development of Energy Service Delivery Model for First Nations Homelands under ARENA Regional Microgrids Program. Partnership includes Land Councils for governance structures.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ekistica competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ITP Renewables: Australian renewable energy consulting and engineering firm providing technical advisory, due diligence and R&D services. Highly comparable to Ekistica as a specialist renewable energy consultancy serving Australian utilities, government and developers.
- Entura: Hydro Tasmania's consulting arm offering power systems, renewable energy, dam and water engineering advisory across Australia and Asia-Pacific. Directly comparable to Ekistica given their shared focus on renewable energy technical advisory and owner's engineer services in remote/island contexts.
- pitt&sherry: Tasmania-based multidisciplinary engineering consultancy with energy, transport, water and environmental practices. Comparable to Ekistica given shared Tasmanian footprint, multidisciplinary engineering model and renewable energy project delivery exposure.
- Ndevr Environmental: Australian boutique consultancy specialised in renewable energy advisory, carbon and climate services. Comparable to Ekistica as a specialist Australian renewable energy advisory firm serving developers, government and utilities with technical diligence and policy work.
Broad incumbents
- Arup Group: Global engineering consultancy with extensive energy transition, power systems and remote-area infrastructure practices. Comparable to Ekistica's renewable engineering and owner's engineer offerings, but operating at much greater scale and breadth across geographies.
- GHD Group: Large Australian engineering, architecture and advisory firm with significant energy, water and infrastructure practices. Comparable to Ekistica in serving Australian government and utilities on renewable energy and remote infrastructure, but with materially larger resources.
- Aurecon Group: Global engineering and advisory firm with strong Asia-Pacific energy transition and infrastructure practice. Comparable to Ekistica in delivering owner's engineer and technical advisory work on renewable generation and grid projects.
- SMEC (Surbana Jurong): Australian-headquartered infrastructure advisory and engineering consultancy within Surbana Jurong, active in energy, transport and water across Asia-Pacific. Comparable to Ekistica's infrastructure advisory and remote-area project delivery model.
- Mott MacDonald Group: Global engineering, management and development consultancy with established energy, water and Pacific infrastructure practices. Comparable to Ekistica in providing owner's engineering and programme advisory on remote-area renewable energy and donor-funded projects.
- WSP Australia (incl. Advisian): Global engineering professional services firm with a large Australian energy transition advisory practice (formerly Advisian). Comparable to Ekistica in delivering technical advisory and owner's engineering on renewable generation, storage and grid projects across Australia.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ekistica social profiles
Digital presenceEkistica compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Ekistica financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ekistica leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Ekistica funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ekistica M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ekistica
What does Ekistica do?
Ekistica is an advisory and technical consultancy firm that delivers independent advisory, design engineering, and project implementation services for infrastructure projects in regional and remote Australia. The firm specializes in renewable energy, power systems, microgrids, hybrid power systems, and supporting infrastructure for utilities, governments, and remote communities. Services span policy advisory, feasibility studies, technical due diligence, owner's engineering, construction management, and knowledge sharing for energy portfolios.
Is Ekistica a public or private company?
Ekistica is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ekistica founded?
Ekistica was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ekistica based?
Ekistica is headquartered in Alice Springs, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Ekistica make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Technical Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are design Engineering Services, project Implementation Services, knowledge Sharing Management and technical Due Diligence.
Who are Ekistica's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ITP Renewables, Entura, pitt&sherry and Ndevr Environmental. Broad incumbents are Arup Group, GHD Group, Aurecon Group, SMEC (Surbana Jurong), Mott MacDonald Group and WSP Australia (incl. Advisian).
Does Ekistica have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ekistica.
What industry is Ekistica in?
Ekistica's product category is Renewable Energy Engineering Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHADAO, Infrastructure & Project Finance Advisory, with a secondary code of EUAMAAAE, Commercial Structuring & Offtake (PPAs, CfDs, Corporate PPAs, Merchant Strategy). Its NAICS code is 54169 and its SIC code is 4911.