Monday, 25 March 2013 13:25

Energy-saving scheme seeks recruits

Written by 

A programme launched last year to help dairy farmers cut energy costs, is open to more recruits.

Under the programme, qualifying dairy farmers get grants towards installing heat recovery systems in the milking shed. These systems cut electricity bills by around a third, by 'capturing' waste heat from refrigeration and re-using it to heat water used for washing down the dairy shed.

Run by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), the government agency that works to improve the energy efficiency of homes and businesses, the programme has attracted 18 farms. The programme plans to assist the installation of around 40 systems, so there is room for a further 22 recruits.

"Heat recovery from the milk refrigeration system is a great opportunity for dairy farmers to reduce electricity costs and improve productivity," says EECA business industrial programme manager Rod Treder.

"Heat recovery is one of the best ways for dairy farmers to improve their energy use, productivity and bottom line.

"Clearly the drought has been very tough for many dairy farmers. Installing new heat recovery equipment might not be top of mind, but the savings achieved through heat recovery build year-on-year, helping make farm businesses more resilient."

EECA BUSINESS research shows a wide variation in milking shed energy efficiency, with some operations using three times more electricity per cow than others. Heat recovery is usually the most cost-effective way to reduce energy costs.

On average, heat recovery saves farmers around $6,000 in electricity costs every year, with a payback of around 2 years. Generally, the larger the herd the shorter the payback period.

To take part in the Shed Heat Recovery programme, farmers should contact one of four contracted providers around the country.

Nationwide:
Climatemaster - www.climatemaster.co.nz
North Island:
Maverick Energy - www.maverickenergy.co.nz
South Island:
Dairycool - www.dairycool.co.nz
Waitaki Refrigeration - www.waitakirefrigeration.co.nz
For more information see www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/dairy-shed-heat-recovery

 

More like this

Featured

Australia develops first local mRNA FMD vaccine

Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.

NZ household food waste falls again

Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.

Editorial: No joking matter

OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.

National

Machinery & Products

Tech might take time

Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…

John Deere acquires GUSS Automation

John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy,…

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

A step too far

OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…

Save us from SAFE

OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter