On-farm energy pilot projects
NSW DPIRD implemented 7 pilot projects across 8 sites to demonstrate innovative technologies and practices to improve on-farm energy efficiency, energy security and productivity and to reduce on-farm energy use, costs and emissions. The pilots were implemented at farms located across NSW in intensive sub-sectors including dairy, horticulture and feedlots.
Technological solutions demonstrated in the pilot projects include: solar thermal chilled water storage and control systems for milk cooling; electrification of irrigation pumps powered by a solar photo voltaic tracking system raised above the ground to enable livestock grazing in the same location; solar photovoltaic and battery storage systems; electrification of LPG and diesel fuelled equipment; and, peer to peer energy trading.
Final pilot case study summaries
Written and video case studies of each of the pilot projects have been created to inform the agricultural sector and reduce the risks associated with the adoption of innovative technologies. Click on the following links to view each pilot's written and video summary of each respective pilot:
| Avondale Feedlot | Written case study (PDF, 1531.58 KB) | Video Summary |
| Dairy NSW | Written case study (PDF, 903.85 KB) | Video Summary |
| Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School | Written case study (PDF, 1350.42 KB) | Video Summary |
| Haddon Rig Stud | Written case study (PDF, 1185.61 KB) | Video Summary |
| Pecora Dairy | Written case study (PDF, 1277.88 KB) | Video Summary |
| Rosnay Organic Wines | Written case study (PDF, 944.67 KB) | Video Summary |
| The Pines Dairy | Written case study (PDF, 972.94 KB) | Video Summary |
Below is a map showing the location of the pilot sites. Click on each location to view the project description.
Proponent | Pilot project | Site location | Total project cost | DPIRD grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Avondale | Electrification and automation of grain mill; off-grid single axis tracking solar photovoltaics (PV) + lithium ion battery + backup genset | Rowena | $663,550 | $331,775 |
Dairy NSW | Solar powered chilled water storage and control system for milk cooling | Jones Island, Wingham | $368,514 | $184,257 |
Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School | Electrification of irrigation pumps and raised single axis solar PV tracking system to power irrigation pumps and demonstrate Agrivoltaics | Calala | $379,600 | $189,800 |
Haddon Rig Stud | Grid connected solar PV with a battery backup system to supply electrical equipment to three independent electrical systems and improve reliability of electricity supply on site | Warren | $426,612 | $213,306 |
Pecora Dairy | On farm energy generation with solar panels, flow batteries and peer to peer energy trading; electrification of LPG fuelled equipment | Robertson | $228,854 | $114,427 |
Rosnay Organic | On farm energy generation with solar panels, flow batteries and peer to peer energy trading; electrification of diesel fuelled equipment | Canowindra | $188,228 | $94,114 |
The Pines | On farm energy generation with solar panels, flow batteries and peer to peer energy trading | Kiama | $270,376 | $135,188 |
TOTAL | $2,525,734 | $1,262,867 |
A rigorous evaluation process was undertaken to select proponents to participate in the pilot projects. This commenced with an initial public request for proposals in September 2019 for which 21 proposals were received. The proposals were evaluated by an independent project steering committee and 11 proposals were selected to have expert feasibility studies undertaken in the first half of 2020. The results of the feasibility studies were evaluated by the steering committee against merit criteria and seven proposals were selected to proceed to pilot projects. Due diligence was completed in mid-2020, with the competitive selection process being informed by technical, legal and independent probity advice at every stage.
This video provides an explanation of the pilot selection process.
On 11 December 2020, the Hon Minister Adam Marshall publicly announced those projects to proceed to pilot with NSW DPIRD contributing 50% of total project cost with a total co-investment of $2.5 million.
Feasibility studies
Links to an overview of the feasibility case studies and summary of each of the funded studies can be found below:
- Overview of feasibility studies (PDF, 363.75 KB)
- Avondale Feedlot feasibility study (PDF, 1282.42 KB)
- Dairy NSW feasibility study (PDF, 506.19 KB)
- Farrer Agricultural High School feasibility study (PDF, 769.43 KB)
- Haddon Rig Stud feasibility study (PDF, 521.08 KB)
- Ingham's Chickens feasibility study (PDF, 574.17 KB)
- Ingham's Turkey feasibility study (PDF, 440.01 KB)
- JBS Australia feasibility study (PDF, 488.52 KB)
- Pecora Dairy feasibility study (PDF, 439.31 KB)
- Riverina Fresh feasibility study (PDF, 552.95 KB)
- Rosnay Organic Wines feasibility study (PDF, 465.5 KB)
- Silvermere Holsteins feasibility study (PDF, 452.7 KB)
- The Pines feasibility study (PDF, 437.13 KB)
Energy efficiency webinar
The following is a recording of a NSW DPIRD Sustainability webinar recorded on 8 October 2021 titled Improving Energy Efficiency to Reduce Carbon Emissions. The webinar focuses on the Energy Efficiency Solutions on-farm energy pilot projects with a project overview from Project Research Officer, Michael Cashen. You will also hear directly from three diverse NSW based farmers involved with the project who recently completed the journey from concept to deployment of their energy efficiency hubs.