Agriculture Victoria
Agriculture Energy Investment Plan 2018
Background Challenge
The Agriculture Energy Investment Plan (AEIP) is a $30M funding program supports agricultural businesses to improve energy productivity, manage energy costs, improve reliability, and support own-generation capacity. The Plan comprises of energy assessments to facilitate farms to apply grants under the program. The plan also includes demonstrations, skills & education, and research.
Summary Solution & Methodology
Carbonetix conducted energy assessment in 157 agricultural farms across Victoria including dairy, piggery, cropping, poultry, winery and horticulture. The objective was to provide detailed and un-biased advice on energy efficiency and own-generation opportunities tailored to individual farm businesses. We also helped farms to contact the suitable technology providers.
On-Farm opportunities identified
- Chillers & Refrigeration: Upgrade refrigeration system, refrigerant de-fouling; waste heat recovery from refrigeration system;
- Pumps & Fans: Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) for vacuum pumps; irrigation pumps & glycol chiller pumps; Upgrade EC fans;
- Tank & Hot Water System: Insulation or upgrade of hot water service;
- Renewable Energy: Biogas; Solar PV and Solar Thermal Water Heater;
- Energy Metering/Monitoring/Automation: Upgrade/modify Building Management System (BMS); Install sub-meter and set-up monitoring system.
ShadowFax Winery & Vineyard
Background
Shadowfax Winery located in Werribee and the whole operation includes winery, vineyard, restaurant, and commercial kitchen. The winery participated in AEIP program in 2019 and a Type-2 energy assessment was conducted by CX. The major energy consumer in a typical winery is the refrigeration process which include chilling, fermentation, cold stabilisation and wine storage. Shadowfax also has a restaurant and a commercial kitchen, which consume a substantial amount of energy.
Energy Conservation Measures
Potential savings were identified in the following areas:
- Refrigerant de-fouling (RFT);
- Small BMS with integration of CO2 Sensor and economizer;
- LED lighting and light sensing for barrel room;
- Heat recovery from refrigeration system;
- Solar PV for winery and restaurant (60 kW);
- Install variable speed drives (VSDs) on Glycol chiller pumps.
Results/ Outcome
Shadowfax Winery has been successful in securing grant from Department of Jobs, Precincts & Regions (DJPR) for two initiatives: Solar PV and installing BMS for their restaurant.
