Of the energy-saving opportunities evaluated, four initiatives were identified with potential energy savings of 10%, a combined payback period of 2.8 years and carbon savings of 79 tCO2-e per year.
Of the energy-saving opportunities evaluated, four initiatives were identified with potential energy savings of 10%, a combined payback period of 2.8 years and carbon savings of 79 tCO2-e per year.
The farm, near Stanthorpe, produces apples using several different sites with a combined orchard area of 150 hectares, however, the main site has been the focus of the audit.
The site energy consumption consist of:
The majority of site energy consumption is used for refrigeration, with a small amount for processing and packaging facilities, and irrigation pumping. The annual energy consumption for the site is 1,105,000 kWh at a cost of $268,000.
A recent energy audit showed how improving the current systems can lead to energy and cost savings by investing $91,600, the recommendations explored in the audit included:
Table 1. Energy savings from audit recommendations
Recommendation | Energy savings (kWh) | Cost Savings ($) | Emission Savings (tCO2-e) | Payback Period (Years) | Cost to Implement ($) |
3x 22kW Irrigation pumps refurbishment | 11,733 | 2,182 | 9 | 3.8 | 8,250 |
3x 22kW Irrigation pumps Variable Speed Control | 49,731 | 9,008 | 26 | 3.1 | 27,765 |
12 compressors Variable Speed Control | 42,187 | 16,130 | 34 | 2.3 | 37,114 |
Coil remediation | 12,192 | 4,831 | 10 | 3.8 | 18,480 |
Total | 115,843 | 32,151 | 79 | 2.8 | 91,609 |
The energy audit also recommended a network tariff review to realise potential savings of $476 per annum.
By installing all the recommendations in the audit, the business could reduce energy consumption by 10%, and costs by 12%, with carbon emission savings of 79 tCO2–e per year.
Table 2. Pre and post audit energy consumption and costs.
Audit Metric | Pre-Audit | Post-Audit | Reduction (%) |
Energy Consumption (kWh) | 1,105,000 | 989,157 | 10 |
Energy Costs ($) | 268,000 | 235,849 | 12 |
Emission (tCO2-e) | 869 | 790 | 10 |
An energy audit is a good investment
An energy audit is a great first step in moving a business towards a more efficient future by reducing energy use, costs and Carbon emissions onsite.
An energy auditor will review your past energy bills, your equipment and the way your business operates. They’ll show you where you’re using excess energy and explain what you can do about it. Find out about what’s involved in an energy audit HERE.
See our range of agricultural energy efficiency case studies HERE and Subscribe to our bi-monthly energy e-news HERE
If you have any energy efficiency related questions for the team get in touch at energysavers@qff.org.au.
The Energy Savers Plus Extension Program is delivered in by the Queensland Farmers Federation with support and funding from the Queensland Department of Energy and Public Works.