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in the way energy is being used . If you combine this performance with the reducing price of electricity and a decarbonising grid , you get a compelling business and environmental case for heat pumps ,” Leak said .
MAKING THE CASE From the studies undertaken by A2EP , the case at the Hardwicks Meatworks looks to be strong . Like many other manufacturers , they have struggled with volatility in the price of gas , which has impacted their energy intensive operations .
Hardwicks was recently featured on the ABC ’ s Four Corners program , where head of projects Mark Hardwick spoke about their work to date constructing a solar farm and large battery . Since installing the system , Hardwick told ARENA that he had questioned whether there was an opportunity to heat water with the excess solar that was being exported to the grid .
A2EP ’ s project allowed them to explore the suitability of heat pump technology , which Hardwick says they doubted would be viable prior to undertaking the study . “ The economics of the study proved that the implementation of the heat pump for the site had a strong business case ,” Hardwick said .
They are now developing the next phase of their renewable transition , planning to add a heat pump with 1000kW ( thermal ) of output to their existing microgrid , which already includes the 2.5MW solar farm and 2MWh battery .
They estimate that the system would reduce Hardwicks ’ gas consumption by 75 per cent and reduce CO2 emissions by 450 tonnes . The 1107MWh per year increase in electricity consumption would be offset by 1000 MWh of electricity produced by a second stage of their solar farm project .
Hardwicks is grappling with some of the technical challenges associated with the next stage of the project , with the pandemic also slowing progress .
Asked about the biggest barriers for businesses like his considering making the switch to renewable technologies like heat pumps , Hardwick says the lack of evidence makes it hard to justify the expenditure . “ From our traditional capital investments we are a lot more comfortable investing in technology and equipment which has been adopted by competitors , and we can have a direct insight to the success ,” he said . “ Good and bad , but I feel like the last major shift to renewables by businesses was the result of a significant jump in energy prices a number of years ago . It is a very hard decision for businesses to replace existing infrastructure towards renewables especially when there are so many other demands on limited capital .” RACA
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RACA Journal I June 2022 www . hvacronline . co . za