QBEST Program

Queensland Business Energy Saving and Transformation (QBEST) Program

QBEST Ag is an initiative under the QBEST program aimed at helping small-to-medium-sized agricultural businesses reduce their electricity costs through sharing information and practical advice on efficient energy use.

As part of this initiative, the Queensland Farmers Federation delivered 35 onsite farm energy audits across key agricultural sectors to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency within the Queensland agricultural industry. In 2024, Saturn Engineering Group was tasked to conduct 9 of the onsite farm energy audits. These audits ranged from pump and irrigation systems on cotton, citrus and sugar farms to a feedlot and piggery.
QBEST Ag builds on previous energy audits supported by the Queensland Government. Results are being published on the new Ag Energy Hub, which contains resources and case studies that demonstrate how agricultural businesses can boost their productivity and returns. Case studies for the 9 farm energy audits conducted by Saturn Engineering Group are here.

A Queensland-based farm specialising in summer and winter crops faced rising energy costs due to inefficiencies in its water pumping system. To address this, Saturn Engineering Group conducted a comprehensive Type 3 Energy Audit on one of its key bore pumps, responsible for irrigating over 600 acres and filling a large storage dam. The audit revealed significant opportunities for reducing energy consumption through maintenance and renewable energy solutions.

A large commercial citrus farm in Queensland faced rising energy costs and inefficiencies in its irrigation system. Saturn Engineering Group conducted a detailed Type 3 Energy Audit on the farm’s pump station, identifying significant energy management opportunities to reduce costs and emissions while improving system performance.
A Queensland cotton farm with a large-scale irrigation operation required an energy audit to evaluate the performance of a tail water return pump station and identify opportunities for reducing energy costs. The station, consisting of four 26HBC-40 China pumps—three powered by electric motors and one by a diesel engine—was responsible for lifting irrigation water into a storage dam or directly into irrigation channels. A comprehensive Type 3 Energy Audit was conducted to explore solutions for improving system efficiency and reducing energy expenses
A cotton farm on the Darling Downs sought to reduce energy costs associated with its river extraction pump, which supplies irrigation water to a storage dam. The pump’s efficiency and energy usage were evaluated through a Type 3 Energy Audit conducted by Saturn Engineering Group. The audit assessed the farm’s existing axial flow pump and identified opportunities to enhance efficiency and lower operating costs. The assessment answered a key question asked by the farmer: When do I use the axial or mixed flow pump to maximise my energy efficiency?
A large piggery in Queensland, housing 2,800 pigs and producing 120 head per week, faced rising energy costs and inefficiencies across key processes, including ventilation, heating, and feed production. To address these challenges, a Type 2 Energy Audit was conducted by Saturn Engineering Group to identify opportunities for energy savings and emissions reductions. The audit evaluated energy consumption across the piggery’s operations and proposed targeted energy management opportunities (EMOs) to improve efficiency and reduce costs
A sugarcane farm in the Mackay region sought to optimise its irrigation systems to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency. The farm operates five pumps supplying irrigation water to centre pivots and lateral move systems. A Type 3 Energy Audit conducted by Saturn Engineering Group focused on two key pumps—the 110kW KSB pump and the 90kW TKL pump. These pumps irrigate fields through two centre pivots, either individually or simultaneously, depending on crop demand requirements.
A dairy farm in Queensland sought to optimise its irrigation system and reduce energy costs associated with water extraction from the Mary River. The farm relied on a 45kW Davey mixed flow pump to irrigate using a centre pivot, travelling gun, and standpipes. A Type 3 Energy Audit conducted by Saturn Engineering Group identified inefficiencies in the irrigation system and provided tailored energy management opportunities (EMOs) to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
A Queensland sugarcane farm sought to optimise energy efficiency and reduce operational costs associated with its irrigation system. The farm operates three irrigation pumps to supply water to a range of irrigation systems, including lateral moves, travelling guns, flood irrigation, and a centre pivot. There is an existing 30kW solar system to assist in reducing energy consumption. Saturn Engineering Group conducted a Type 3 Energy Audit to evaluate the performance of the 45kW Southern Cross pump and identify opportunities for energy and cost savings.

A Queensland farm producing table grapes and lychees sought to enhance its irrigation efficiency while reducing
energy costs. The property relies on three key pump sites—Pump Site A, Pump Site C, and a transfer pump system
between two storage dams—to irrigate its crops. With Pump Site C recently upgraded it is response for a majority
of the irrigation tasks, while Pump Site A is predominately used as a support pump. Rising energy costs, looming
Tariff changes and increased demand prompted farm to participate in the Large Customer Adjustment Program
commissioning an Energy Management Opportunity Assessment, which identified practical and cost-effective
solutions to improve operations and lower energy consumption.

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Phil Szabo – Managing Director
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