This case study summarises the outcomes from audits conducted on two Poultry farms taking part in the Energy Savers Program.
Energy Savers
Summary
The total energy consumption from the two farms was 599,314kWh at an annual cost of $ 125,283 resulting in emissions of 485 tonnes of CO2-e per annum.
- 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 Systems- Ranging in size from 5-100kW.
- Solar and Batteries–One large scale system was recommended and shown in a separate case study HERE
Table 1. Technology Recommendations and Savings in the Poultry Industry.
| Recommendation | Total | Energy Savings (kWh) | Cost Savings ($) | Capital Cost ($) | Average Payback (Years) | Emission Reduction (tCO2-e) |
| HVAC | 5 | 172,125 | 42,725 | 495,600 | 9 | 140 |
| Lighting and General | 1 | 6,717 | 2,015 | 24,569 | 12 | 5 |
| Solar Systems | 1 | 45,990 | 8,483 | 45,900 | 5.4 | 37 |
|
Total |
7 | 224,832 | 53,223 | 566,069 | 8.8 | 182 |
| Total Recommendations (all sectors) | 665 | 7,459,015 | 2,817,342 | 12,784,670 | 6.85 | 6,042 |
Table 1 highlights the potential energy savings of 224,832kWh identified in the audits.
Including production benefits, a saving of $53,233 and an estimated 182 tonnes of CO2-e could be realised per annum. At a capital cost of $566,069, the average payback was 8.8 years.
Table 2. Pre and Post Audit Metrics.
| Metric | Pre-Audits | Post- Audits | Reduction (%) |
| Energy Consumption (kWh) | 599,314 | 374,482 | 37 |
| Energy Costs ($) | 125,283 | 72,050 | 42 |
| Emissions (tCO2-e) | 485 | 303 | 37 |
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.
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 poultry industry to improve energy efficiency by investigating the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. A south-east chicken farm saves $17,800 per year by implementing a solar system with a 5-year payback period, 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.
