This case study summarises the outcomes from audits conducted on all 180 Queensland farms in the Energy Savers Plus Program (ESPPE).

This case study summarises the outcomes from audits conducted on 10 Queensland turf, sheep and pasture farms taking part in the Energy Savers Program.

This case study summarises the outcomes from audits conducted on 5 Queensland Grains and Feedlot farms taking part in the Energy Savers Program.

This case study summarises the outcomes from an audit conducted on a large feedlot with an energy consumption of 3,000,000 kWh at an annual cost of $350,000, resulting in emissions of 2,850 tCO2-e per year. Energy and emission savings have been estimated to be 21% and cost savings at around 26%.

A 700ha cotton farm could benefit from a recent Energy Savers audit. The audit recommended the installation of two new 22kW pumps and four separate 20kW solar PV systems to improve energy efficiency on site.

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.

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.

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

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, apart of the respective pump replacement recommended.

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 91 per cent.

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.

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.