A dairy farm located in the Sunshine Coast hinterland could benefit from a comprehensive energy audit that explored both the milking operation and irrigated paddocks. This case study focuses on the irrigation system benefits of installing a new pump with a Variable Speed Drive (VSD), new suction line, shortening the mainline and replacing the sprinklers and risers.

A recent energy savers audit showed how a dairy farm in the Scenic Rim region could improve heating and cooling efficiency onsite after implementing the recommendations of a recent energy audit.

The audit of this 46Ha Bundaberg sugar cane farm considered energy consumption, hydraulic losses, and crop management. The audit recommended upgrading the pumps and changing the irrigation design. The site consists of a river pump and booster pump on separate NIMIs and irrigated using high pressure Gun, medium pressure boom and low-pressure furrow.

An Emerald irrigated cotton farm could benefit from a recent Energy Savers Audit. This case study details the need to inspect, maintain and repair pumps before potential replacement in order to achieve lower payback periods.

A farm producing feed for livestock has the potential to reduce energy consumption and costs by installing a combination of renewable and diesel energy sources onsite.

An 120ha cane farm in the Ayr region is taking a holistic approach taking part in both the Queensland Farmers Federation Reef, and Energy Savers programs. The site aims to reduce fertiliser use, energy consumption and costs while increasing production and minimising its impact on the surrounding Great Barrier Reef.

A 220ha irrigated cotton farm could save money and time by implementing recommendations from their Energy Savers Audit. The site produces some Corn, Barley, Wheat and Chickpeas. Three pumps lift water from the creek to three separate centre pivots consuming nearly 110,000 kWh at a cost of $23000. Four potential solar systems were compared with the best payback chosen to offset and reduce consumption below 100,000kWh. As consumption is just over 100MW p.a. both SAC small and large customer tariffs were considered, and a comprehensive analysis shown to minimise operating costs.

A farm producing fodder feed for livestock has the potential to reduce energy consumption and costs by installing new efficient pumps and making changes to the irrigation system.

A Mareeba farm that produces hay has the potential to save time and money after implementing a solar PV system on an upgraded automated pump supplying water to a centre pivot.

A cane farm in the Mackay region could increase production, net profit and reduce energy consumption from adoption of solar, and pump and irrigation changes.

An Atherton tablelands hay farm has the potential to save time and money after implementing a solar PV system on an upgraded automated pump supplying water to a centre pivot.

A large Sunshine Coast nursery will reduce its energy consumption even while increasing production with load shifting, upgrading lighting and air conditioners and the addition of a Solar PV system.

The farm, near Stanthorpe, produces a large variety of horticultural products on an area of approximately 30 ha and could save up to 17 per cent off its energy bills after implementing an farm energy audit recommendation to replace the cold room condenser unit.

A Stanthorpe farm produc aingn average of 300 tonnes of stonefruit per year from 40ha could save 10% off its energy bills after implementing a farm energy audit recommendation to upgrade their lights to LED.

A farm in Mundubbera producing a variety of citrus and mangoes will benefit by implementation of recommendations in a recent energy audit. The farm could save up to 7% of the site total energy use, and approximately $90,000 p.a. with an average payback period of 5.5 years, and estimated carbon reductions of 85.3 t CO2-e per annum.

A South East Queensland Dairy that produces milk and some feed has the potential to reduce energy and costs onsite and increase productivity from efficiencies identified in the milking shed.

This case study is part two of a piggery audit conducted showing the electrical energy savings component. Implementation of new LED lights would allow an increase in capital for further efficiency measures and allow the installation of solar.

Installing solar and chilled water systems using existing infrastructure while monitoring and maintaining could reduce this dairy farm's energy consumption below 100,000kWh per annum.

The Audit recommended a number of steps to improve the efficiency of three bore pumps along with solar systems to reduce the farms power consumption by over 60%. This case study compares Solar PV options for each of the three pumps.

A Central Queensland farm has the potential to save time and money from an increase in battery storage and installation of 4G remote monitoring on the pumps.

The Audit recommended a number of small projects with quick payback as well as upgrading lighting and installing solar and batteries to reduce grid power by 78 per cent.

The farm has a potential efficiency gain with the installation of a new solar pump. This case study compares the costs of using the existing generator and complete replacement with a new solar pump and battery backup.

This case study compares the costs and benefits of a powering a small pump with a grid connected solar system, or taking the pump off-grid with solar and a battery.

Installing audit recommendations reduced HQ Plantations energy costs, CO2 emissions and demand charges by changing behaviours and management practices.

A South East Queensland chicken meat farm with eight sheds found an energy audit to provide helpful guidance about where to spend their capital investment on the farm.

A South-East Queensland nursery has implemented a 19.89kW Solar System to offset grid power following their QFF Energy Savers audit.

A Mareeba banana farm is on track to save 32% off their power bill for one of their pump stations with a new variable speed drive and a tariff change recommended in the Energy Savers audit. They are also getting more even watering and expect to cut maintenance costs!

An energy audit recommended replacing a 75kW pump with a 45kW pump and Variable Speed Control. Also, eliminating some right angle bends from the pipes at an adjacent 4kW pump will allow it to deliver 1kL of extra water per hour.

The farm has implemented a lighting upgrade, Power Factor Correction (PFC) and a 30.4kW Solar PV system to achieve annual energy savings over $14,700 and greenhouse gas emission reductions of 40.1 t CO2-e. The lights and PFC offer a payback period of under 3 years, with the PV payback around 5½ years. The Pump VSD and pressure transducer once implemented will allow the pump to operate at its Best Efficiency Point.

The audit recommended optomising the VSD speed to reduce friction losses, balancing efficiency with crop requirements. This no-cost project is saving the farmer $9,532 per annum with a reduction of 19% energy consumption.

This detailed case study shows how a comprehensive audit and collaboration between the auditor and local refrigeration specialist have significantly reduced cold room operating costs with annual savings of almost $20,000 and a payback period of a year and a quarter. Refrigeration energy consumption and demand have been almost halved.

Two stages were removed from a seven-stage pump which reduced the flow rate but improved the combined efficiency by 25%. The pump demand has been reduced by 12kW and even with increased running time, running costs have reduced by $1,200 per year with a payback period under two years.

The Audit recommended a new, smaller pump which increased water flow by 1.1ML/day and improved combined efficiency by nearly 30%. The pump upgrade has been completed by the farmer even though the payback period on energy cost savings alone was estimated at over 9 years.

The farmer installed variable speed drives on two 37kW pumps providing an annual cost saving of over $14,500 with a payback period of around 18 months. Other efficiencies were identified including some refrigeration improvements and a small Solar PV system which the farmer is yet to implement.

The audit made many recommendations such as a boiler economiser and boiler combustion oxygen levels, voltage optimisation and adjusting feed processing to avoid some heating elements. A number of recommendations had a total annual energy cost saving of over $77,000 with a payback period under the companies’ 3 year payback target. Around $72,000 of extra annual savings may be available through a tariff change.

This audit considered a number of opportunities to reduce heating energy consumption. The case study highlights energy savings of 6.5% in covering heated hatchery tanks and heat recovery systems with an average payback or around 3.5 years and an annual saving of almost $9,500.

This case studies highlights the energy savings opportunities from audits at a number of pork farms. It highlights potential to reduce lighting energy by 66%, and reducing overall energy by up to 27% with the addition of Solar PV.

This case studies highlights the energy savings opportunities from audits at a number of pork farms. It highlights potential to reduce site heating energy by 20% with an average payback of 4.6 years.

This case study shows how a Clare melon farm is reducing energy costs thanks to the energy savings program. The farms has reduced the energy cost for cold rooms and packing shed by 10 – 15% off their annual $250,000 bill. Further savings are being made with irrigation efficiencies.

A range of initiatives were identified including replacing some pumps and motors with new pumps and variable speed drives, with an average payback period of 2.8 years and annual cost savings of around $16,500. An extra $10,000 annual saving is potentially available at the site by reviewing the tariffs of the pump stations. Energy savings have been calculated as 4% for the flood system and 16% for the drip & micro irrigation system. Emission savings have been estimated at an average of 18.4 t CO2-e per year.

The audit identified a range of energy saving initiatives in the packing sheds including refrigeration, lighting and the installation of Solar PV to supply some power. Three projects had a payback less than 5 years including the lighting and two Solar PV installations. The estimated annual cost savings from all identified projects is nearly $50,000, with carbon reductions of 58 t CO2-e per annum.

The audits of several meat processors identified a payback of between 3.2 and 4.9 years of adding CO2 heat pumps to replace gas hot water systems. In one case a mixing valve was recommended to one system that was providing higher temperature to return a payback of 1.4 years. Additional benefits include greenhouse gas emission reductions of 283.5 t CO2-e.

The Audits of several meat processors identified the potential benefits of adding variable speed controls to evaporator fans with temperature control logic allowing the fans to operate at a lower speed with significant electricity savings. The audits have identified some quick wins to reduce costs of refrigeration systems at low cost.

Lower Burdekin Water Board cut their power consumption by 58,000kWh and demand by 105kVA resulting in annual cost savings of $20,000 or 25%, with carbon reductions of 53.4 t CO2-e per annum, at the Kilrie Gully pump station.

An energy audit for the on-site electricity usage recommended the installation of variable speed controls on pumps, replacement pumps with more energy efficient drive units, hot water system replacement, lighting replacement, air conditioning upgrade options & installation of solar photovoltaic system. Emission savings have been estimated to be 11.8 t CO2-e per year. 

The audit recommended replacing high pressure travelling guns with a low pressure boom irrigator and installing a variable speed drive to maintain 65psi at the booms. The project is expected to save 20% energy and has a payback period of 3 years with carbon reductions of 11 t CO2-e per annum.

The audit presented 2 options to improve the efficiency of an 18kW pump: upgrading to a high efficiency model, or adding an VSD, both of which would save nearly $4,000 per year and pay back within around 2 years, with carbon emission reductions of 15 t CO2-e per annum.

The audit identified several energy efficiency opportunities including regular checks for leaks in the irrigation and compressed air systems and a lighting upgrade. The audit recommended a 10kW Solar PV system to complement energy efficiency practices already in place, to further cut power required from the grid by 35% to save over $4,000 per year with a payback of less than 5 years and carbon reductions of 14.5 t CO2-e per annum.

The audit recommended regular checking of cold room door seals to save up to 10% in refrigeration costs, along with incorporating 30kW Solar PV into a new shed being built at the site to offset pumping and refrigeration power consumption with a payback period of 4 years and carbon savings of 43.4 t CO2-e per year. Variable Speed Controls were recommended for 2 smaller pumps with a payback period of 7.7 years.

The case study provides an estimate of the costs and benefits of replacing a 36hp diesel irrigation pump two options: a mains connected 15kW pump or a 19kW pump powered by a 20kW solar array to get paybacks of 11 or 6 years respectively. The case study also compares the cost for a new pump of a 7.5kW mains connected pump and a 9.5kW pump powered by a 10kW solar array, to find a payback period of less than 1 year. The farmer would save over $77,000 on pumping costs over 10 years by installing solar pumping in both applications, with carbon emission savings of 45.8 t CO2-e per annum.

An audit recommended reducing the pump size from 45kW to 18kW to reduce water flow rate and friction head losses along with a variable speed drive due to the varying height of irrigation blocks. The farm will reduce pumping costs by nearly $3,200 per year with a payback of just over 4 years. A 15kW solar PV system will save an additional $6,000 per year with a payback of just over 3 years. Carbon savings have been estimated as 29.4 t CO2-e per annum.

An audit of a Mundubbera Citrus farm recommended fitting variable speed drives to pumps, and a 30kW solar PV system. The farmer has implemented the findings, reducing the pump size as well, and adding over 80kW of Solar PV to save over $41,000 per year in electricity costs with 156.9 t CO2-e of emission savings per annum.

A Cairns Cold Storage business cut their electricity usage by 30% by upgrading plant and equipment such as efficient chillers and pumps, variable speed drives and smart controls. Additional benefits include emission reductions of 254.6 t CO2-e per year.

See how Gold Coast Tiger Prawns saved $40,000 per year in demand charges by fitting Variable Speed Drives to main pumps and the conveyors in the processing plant, as well as Power Factor Correction. Energy savings of 19% in total consumption and carbon reductions of 243.2 t CO2-e have been achieved.

The irrigation audit identified energy savings of 29% and a payback period of 1.3 years with a change to pump operations, installation of a variable speed drive to a 75kW pump and replacing the pump impellor with a full-size version. The audit also found up to $3,500 in savings available with a change in tariff. Emission savings have been estimated to be 37.9 t CO2-e.

The irrigation energy audit recommended adding variable speed drives to two dam pumps as they have varying duties in supplying centre pivot irrigators. The audit also recommended upgrading 100mm steel main pipe for transfer pumping to 125mm plastic. These initiatives would result in energy savings of over $41,000 per year with a payback period of around 1.5 years and carbon reductions of 120 t CO2-e per annum.

The irrigation audit identified energy savings of 10% with a payback of 3.4 years by modifying the discharge piping on the 45kW pump to reduce pressure losses. Additional savings were identified by replacing pumps and adding a variable speed controlled, but with longer payback periods. Emission savings have been estimated to be 3.1 t CO2-e.

The irrigation energy audit identified a number of initiative that would save about $110,000 over 10 years. These included replacing oversized pumps, and adding Variable Speed Drives where the changing elevation of the Centre Pivots caused variable head pressure. The audit also identified $600 in annual savings through tariff review. Emission savings have been estimated to be 47 t CO2-e.

The irrigation audit identified a number of opportunities on site including modifying pipe systems to reduce pressure loss, impellor modifications and installation of variable speed drives. Energy savings of 16% with a payback of 1.3 years were identified. The audit also identified up to $11,000 available by reviewing the tariff pricing structure for the pumps. Emission savings have been estimated to be 52 t CO2-e.

The irrigation energy audit identified that upgrading the existing filter and simplifying the pipework would reduce head losses by 50kPA, resulting in an energy saving of 12% with carbon emission reductions of 1.5 t CO2-e per annum.

The irrigation energy audit assessed the site pumping systems including creek pumping and transfer pumping, recommended adding variable speed drives to the 55kW pumps driving the Centre Pivots, and reducing head pressure. Energy Savings of 19 – 30% were identified with payback periods between 8.4 – 23.9 years and average carbon emission reductions of 7.5 t CO2-e per annum.

The irrigation energy audit assessed a number of irrigation systems, and recommended the addition of variable speed drives to an existing pumping station consisting of 2 x 7kW and 1 x 5.5kW fixed pumps. The upgrade would result in energy savings of 15% with a payback of 11 years and with carbon emission reductions of 1.4 t CO2-e per annum.

The irrigation energy audit assessed a number of pumps and motors, recommending the installation of variable speed drives on each of the pumps to allow system pressure to be reduced by 100 kPa. These initiatives will reduce energy consumption by 18% with a payback of 4.2 years and carbon emission reductions of 18.7 t CO2-e per annum.

The irrigation energy audit recommended replacing three old pump motors and adding Variable Speed Drives to two pumps, with an annual energy saving of 15% and payback of 3.2 years, as well as carbon emission reductions of 32.8 t CO2-e per annum.

The irrigation energy audit recommended replacing a 45kW line-shaft pump with a 37kW submersible pump to achieve an 8% energy savings and carbon emission reductions of 5.6 t CO2-e per annum.

This irrigation energy audit recommended replacing two in-line centrifugal pumps with a single irrigation pump and Variable Speed Drive with energy savings of 34%. A 5kW solar system providing 39% of the sites energy was also evaluated, with carbon emission reductions of 5.2 t CO2-e per annum.

The audit founds a significant water leak, with potential energy savings of 20%, and the opportunity to improve irrigation efficiency with the addition of a variable speed drive saving 30% of energy consumption. The solutions have cost savings of around $5,500 and a combined payback under 2 years with an average 9.5 t CO2-e of emission savings per annum.

The audit recommended two options, including replacing a 15 year-old 33kW pump with a smaller 22kW pump, or replace the pump and add a variable speed drive. Energy savings of 4-11% and average emission savings of 3.9 t CO2-e per annum have been estimated.

The audit recommended a number of measures, including a variable speed drive to regulate pressure rather than the current throttling arrangement. The measure will save around 45% energy at the pump, with an annual cost saving of over $10,500 and a payback period of around 9 months, as well as emission savings of 44 t CO2-e per annum.

The audit recommended the replacement of a 50kW pump which is over-sized for the duty requirement which would give an energy saving of 56% and a payback period of around 8 years. In addition, changing tariff and switching pump operation to off-peak hours would save an additional $1,200 per year. Annual emission savings have been estimated to be 2.8 t CO2-e.

The audit recommended replacing a replacing a 55kW pump and motor with a smaller and more efficient pump and motor with an annual cost saving over $2,000 and a payback period of just over 7 years. Emission savings have been estimated to be 7.4 t CO2-e per year.

The audit assessed 10 initiatives to upgrade pumps and add variable speed drives, and recommended that two be implemented with payback periods of 3.5 years and savings of $6,000 per year. The audit also recommended tariff checks to achieve further savings. Emission savings have been estimated to be 20.6 t CO2-e in average per year.

The audit recommended a number of initiatives to reduce distribution head losses to optimise the dam pump operations, including some pipe replacement and the potential to replace the 45kW dam pumps and add variable speed drives. The recommendations would save 42% of the energy on those systems, with an annual saving of over $40,000 and a payback of just over 2 years. Emission savings have been estimated to be 113 t CO2-e per year.

A number of initiatives were recommended including replacing 400W mercury vapour high bay lights with 150W equivalents, adding insulation to hot water piping and the addition of a 30kW solar PV system. In total the measures will save nearly $11,000 per year with a payback period of 5.5 years and carbon reductions of 37.5 t CO2-e per annum

The audit recommended a number of pump upgrades with energy efficient models with variable speed drives with a payback of 3 years and annual energy savings of nearly $15,000. Emission savings have been estimated to be 45.5 t CO2-e per year.

A range of initiatives were identified including replacing some pumps and motors with new pumps and variable speed drives, with a payback period of 2.8 years and annual cost savings of around $16,500. An extra $10,000 annual saving is potentially available at the site by reviewing the tariffs of the pump stations. Emission savings have been estimated to be 27.1 t CO2-e per year.

The audit made many recommendations for pipe upgrades, pump replacement and the addition of variable speed drives. Six recommendations had a total annual energy saving of nearly $20,000 with a payback period under a year. Nearly $6,000 of extra annual savings may be available through tariff reviews. Emission savings have been estimated to be 114 t CO2-e per year.

An energy audit of the pumping systems recommended replacement with more energy-efficient drive units, upgrading the distribution pipework and replacing pumps. Emission savings have been estimated to be 73 t CO2-e per year.

The farmer implemented the recommendations including 2 variable speed drives and is likely to save over $7,000 per year with a payback of around 2 years and emission savings of 31.5 t CO2-e per year. There are more potential savings available by replacing other pumps with high efficiency models at the end of their life.

The audit of this vineyard and winemaker evaluated a number of actions with varying payback periods, including insulation, replacement of compressors, lighting controls and disconnecting unused pumps. Two initiatives had a payback period of around 3 years including insulation and disconnecting unused pumps. The audit also found a tariff review might save the business over $2,500 per year. Emission savings have been estimated to be 1.4 t CO2-e per year.

The audit recommended replacing refrigeration compressors and installing a 2kW solar photovoltaic system at a Stanthorpe Tomato and Capsicum Farm. The audit calculated approximately $30,000 in savings over 10 years, with payback periods at just over 4 years and emission savings of 6 CO2-e per year. Additional savings would be available by changing electricity tariffs.

An energy audit recommended installing variable speed control on evaporator fans, replacing T8 cold room lighting with LEDs and a number of options for optimising refrigeration including thermal energy storage. Although the refrigeration projects have a long payback period, the variable speed controls and lighting would save over $7,000 per year with a payback of nearly 4 years and emission savings of 66 CO2-e per annum.

An energy audit identified an opportunity to improve the air conditioning system for growing mushrooms, achieving an annual saving of $9,000 including a demand saving of 23kW, which could potentially save around $400 per month in demand charges. Emission savings have been estimated to be 34.3 t CO2-e per year.