Queensland Grains and Feedlot Farms

Energy Savings: 44%   |   Cost Savings: $41,109   |   Capital Cost: $261,784   |   CO2 Savings: 142   |   Project Status: proposed

Industry: Grains and fodder, Beef
Location: Queensland
Pump Type: Not applicable
Irrigation Type: Not applicable
Technology: Irrigation and Pumps, Lighting, Solar Power and Renewables, Batteries and Storage, Variable Speed Drives

The total energy consumption from the measured areas on the 5 farms was 390,620kWh at an annual cost of $104,111, resulting in emissions of 316 tonnes of CO₂-e.

Opportunities: the main opportunities identified on the Grains and Feedlot farms include

• Pumping and Irrigation- Savings from Variable Speed Drive installation, pump replacements and maintenance and changes to irrigation design.
• 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.

Table 1. Technology Recommendations and Savings in the Grains and Feedlot Industry.

Recommendation	Total	Energy Savings (kWh)	Cost Savings ($)	Capital Cost ($)	Average Payback (Years)	Emission Reduction (tCO2-e)
Pumping and Irrigation Upgrades	6	52,009	11,404	107,000	11	42
Lighting and General	2	8,557	705	18,794	33	7
Solar and Batteries	1	7,053	775	15,000	19	6
Solar Systems	7	107,405	28,225	120,990	4.3	87
Total	16	175,020	41,109	261,784	16.8	142
Total Recommendations	665	7,459,015	2,817,342	12,784,670	6.85	6,042

Table 1 highlights the potential energy savings of 175,020kWh identified in the audits.

Including production benefits, a saving of $41,109 and an estimated 142 tonnes of CO₂-e could be avoided per annum. At a capital cost of $261,784, the average payback was 116.8 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)	390,620	215,600	44
Energy Costs ($)	104,111	63,002	39
Emissions (tCO2-e)	316	174	44

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 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.

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