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 12% 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 66% with an average payback of 4.5 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 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.

The audit identified a range of energy saving initiaves 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 savings from all identified projects is nearly $50,000.

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.

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.