Utilising Environmental Upgrade Agreements to drive investment in solar farming at Australian Abattoirs

Summary

This first milestone, initial feasibility and cost/benefit analysis, has confirmed that a microgrid ancillary/emergency solar PV system and battery storage can provide a cost effective risk management solution to electrical services for Hardwick’s Pty Ltd meat processing facility at Kyneton.

In particular, the system can be constructed to provide:

• A project which has an estimated pay-back period of 5.7 years and which is also expected to be cash flow positive from year 1
• Load shedding technology/battery storage/operational interface controls which allows the microgrid system to provide emergency power on an uninterrupted basis for an extended period during daylight hours (presently undeveloped in commercial operations) should a major external grid failure occur
• Economic benefits from solar energy, even in a location with low temperatures and long periods of cloud cover
• Site integration with Hardwick’s electrical network to allow energy management and energy usage control
• Benefits from integrated grazing management for stock grazing and shading under solar arrays.

This milestone report also provides the basis of the "Go/No Go" decision point detailed at this stage of the project within the Project Agreement Milestones schedule.

R&D Proposal for the Development of the Project

In terms of the "Go/No Go" decision point, it is proposed that the Research and Development (R&D) activities to be undertaken during the detailed design, construction and initial operations of this project will be of significant benefit to the Australian red meat industry.