HQ Plantations hosted the most recent Energy and Water Efficiency workshop for the nursery, flower and horticulture industries on 22 February, 2017.
With a turnover of around nine million seedings per year, and mid-way through an irrigation upgrade, HQ Plantations’ Toolara Forest nursery provided the ideal setting.
The presentations and site tour provided case studies on energy and water efficiency and the importance of considering both together.
Presentations
Below are the presentations including energy and irrigation efficiency case studies, an energy technology showcase, and options to finance efficiency projects.
Lex McMullin talked about strategies to ensure you put the right amount of water on the crop at the right time, starting with how to work out the optimum amount of water to apply and when.
Bree Grima talked about BFVG initiatives to assist growers with water and energy efficiency and carbon abatement including a Bundaberg Tree Crop Case Study showing a large water saving resulting from a fertigation system flush test.
Andrew Chamberlin talked about some easy-wins and case studies from the Energy Savers Program, including how to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Brad Maltby explained how to read your electricity bill, and talked about cost effectiveness of low energy technologies such as LED lighting, Power Factor Correction, Solar PV and Energy Savers Case Studies. Brad also talked about two Energy Savers Case Studies.
An energy audit for the on-site electricity usage at Aspley Nursery recommend the installation of variable speed controls on pumps, replacement pumps with more energy efficient drive units, hot water system replacement, lighting replacement, air conditioning upgrade options and installation of a solar photovoltaic system.
An audit of a Mundubbera Citrus farm recommended fitting variable speed drives to pumps, and a 30kW solar PV system. The farmer has implemented the findings, reducing the pump size as well, and adding over 80kW of Solar PV to save over $41,000 per year in electricity costs.
Technology Showcase: Shayne Wood from Zeuss Appollo Solar outlined their solar and battery storage solutions.
Technology Showcase: Byron Austin from Grundfos talked about pump optimisation, and energy efficiency services offered through Grundfos dealers, including a free Energy Check.
Technology Showcase: Thomas Bell introduced Energus’ lightweight solar PV, weighing 20% of conventional solar panels.
Finance: Malcolm Holmes presented Northquest’s Managed Services Agreements to implement and finance projects.
Glen Kolpak talked about Energex’s incentives to reduce demand and improve power factor, including rebates of up to $185/kW demand reduced and $41/kVAr in selected areas.
Click below to view the Financing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fact Sheet.
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