A North Queensland barramundi farm processing 1,150 tonnes of whole fish per annum could reduce energy consumption by 23% by implementing the recommendations of an energy audit.

A North Queensland barramundi farm processing 460 tonnes of whole fish per annum could reduce energy consumption by 25% by implementing the recommendations of an energy audit.

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

This audit considered a number of opportunities to reduce heating energy consumption. The case study highlights total energy savings of 2.5% in covering heated hatchery tanks and heat recovery systems, corresponding to 12% of hatchery energy use, with an average payback or around 3.5 years and annual savings of almost $9,500.

See how Gold Coast Tiger Prawns saved over $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 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.