Energy Savers
Queensland

Queensland Nurseries

Proposed
20
Energy Savings
564
Savings
199,520
Industry
Nursery
Technology
Solar Photovoltaic, Energy storage, Fan, Heating, Lighting, Irrigation, Pump upgrade, Variable Speed Control
Capital Cost
$878,489

Summary

This case study summarises the outcomes from audits conducted on 24 Queensland Nurseries taking part in the Energy Savers Program.

The total energy consumption from the measured areas on the 24 nurseries was 3,541,751kWh at an annual cost of $449,783, resulting in emissions of 2,869 tonnes of CO2-e. 

Opportunities:  the main opportunities identified in the Nurseries include 

  • Pumping and Irrigation- Savings from Variable Speed Drive installation, pump replacements and maintenance. Changes to irrigation design and automation. 
  • Heating Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC)– Maintenance and upgrades of condenser motor, VSD, ventilation fan and heating.  
  • Lighting and General- Replacement and retrofitting of lights with LEDs, infrastructure upgrades to facilitate efficiency gains and general management changes. 
  • Solar and Batteries– Grid-connected and standalone. 
  • Solar Systems- Ranging in size from 5-100kW systems. 

Table 1. Technology Recommendations and Savings in the Nursery Industry. 

Recommendation  Total  Energy Savings (kWh)  Cost Savings ($)  Capital Cost ($)  Average Payback (Years) 

Emission Reduction (tCO2-e) 

Pumping and Irrigation Upgrades 

10  29,653  16,789  62,318  13.5 

24

HVAC 

18  102,480  32,198  169,846  5.1 

83

Lighting and General 

30  73,251  22,538  94,773  5.2 

59

Solar and Batteries 

1  7,053  2,911  24,168  8.3 

6 

Solar Systems 

20  483,696  125,084  527,384  4.7 

392

Total 

79 

696,133 199,520  878,489  7.3 

564

Total Recommendations 

665  7,459,015  2,817,342     12,784,670  6.85 

6,042

 

Table 1 highlights the potential energy savings of 696,133kWh identified in the audits.  

Nursery

Including production benefits, a saving of $199,520 and an estimated 564 tonnes of CO2-e could be avoided per annum. At a capital cost of $878,489, the average payback was 7.3 years. 

Additional value adding from the energy audits showed how an increase in water delivery, could increase production and profit with a reduction in energy consumed per unit of output 

 Table 2. Pre and Post Audit Metrics.  

Metric  Pre-Audits  Post- Audits 

Reduction (%) 

Energy Consumption (kWh) 

3,541,751  2,845,618

20% 

Energy Costs ($) 

449,783  250,263 

44% 

Emissions (tCO2-e) 

2,869 2,305

20% 

 

As the installation of the recommendations is made within the industry, measurement and verification will be undertaken, and case studies will be updated to include the actual energy savings. 

nursery graph

Energy Efficiency for your Industry and Business 

An energy audit is a great way for a business to cut costs, reduce emissions and boost productivity.  

The audits show that there are significant opportunities in the nursery industry to improve energy efficiency by investigating the implementation of solar systemsA Sunshine Coast nursery has offset all the energy consumed by implementing a solar system, which also allows export power to the grid, to see more details click HERE 

To keep up to date with the changes taking place in the energy space sign up for the e-news HERE 

 

The Energy Savers Plus Extension Program is delivered by the Queensland Farmers Federation with support and funding from the Queensland Department of Energy and Public Works.  

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