Queensland Cotton Farms
Energy Savings: 40% | Cost Savings: $106,589 | Capital Cost: $488,240 | CO2 Savings: 286 | Project Status: proposed
Industry:
Cotton
Location:
Queensland
Pump Type:
Not applicable
Irrigation Type:
Not applicable
Technology:
Irrigation and Pumps, Lighting, Solar Power and Renewables, Variable Speed Drives
The total energy consumption from the measured areas on the eight cotton farms was 886,171kWh at an annual cost of $239,405, resulting in emissions of 718 tonnes of CO2-e. Energy and emission savings have been estimated at around 40%.
Opportunities: the main opportunities identified on Cotton farms include
- Pumping and Irrigation- Savings from Variable Speed Drive installation, pump replacements and maintenance, and changes to irrigation design and automation.
- Lighting and General- Replacement and retrofitting of lights with LEDs, infrastructure upgrades to facilitate efficiency gains and general management changes.
- Solar Systems- Ranging in size from 5-100kW systems.
Table 1. Technology Recommendations and Savings in the Cotton Industry.
| Recommendation | Total | Energy Savings (kWh) | Cost Savings ($) | Capital Cost ($) | Average Payback (Years) | Emission Reductions (tCO2-e) |
Pumping and Irrigation Upgrades |
11 | 154,415 | 32,282 | 177,610 | 6.6 | 125 |
Lighting and General |
1 | N/A | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0.4 | N/A |
Solar Systems |
13 | 198,325 | 71,707 | 309,630 | 3.9 | 161 |
Total |
25 |
352,740 | 106,589 | 488,240 | 3.6 | 286 |
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 352,740kWh identified in the audits.
Cost savings of $106,589 and an estimated 286 tonnes of CO2-e could be avoided per annum. At a capital cost of $488,240, the average payback was 3.6 years.
Additional value adding from the energy audits showed how an increase in water delivery, could increase production and profit with a reduction in energy consumed per unit of output.
Table 2. Pre and Post Audit Metrics.
| Metric | Pre-Audits | Post- Audits | Reduction (%) |
Energy Consumption (kWh) |
886,171 | 533,431 | 40 |
Energy Costs ($) |
239,405 | 132,816 | 45 |
Emissions (tCO2-e) |
718 | 432 | 40 |
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 identify the most effective way to cut costs, reduce emissions and boost productivity.
The Energy Savers Plus Extension Program was delivered by the Queensland Farmers' Federation with support and funding from the Queensland Department of Energy and Public Works.
