Expo offers solutions

Following on from its highly successful Energy Expo in south-west Victoria, Farmer Power has now organised a second expo for northern Victoria.

The expo, to be held on March 28, will see numerous energy providers, financial and technical advisors present alternative energy solutions and explain to dairy farmers what their options are for reducing their power bills.

‘‘The Victorian Government’s new grants program has been the subject of several detailed briefings with representatives of Farmer Power, so we are well informed about how the grants will help dairy farmers and others,’’ Farmer Power’s executive officer Garry Kerr said.

‘‘There are also several attractive loan programs which can work together with the grants.’’

The technologies that can be combined in developing integrated solutions for farmers include:

■ Solar/wind/battery combinations (many different configurations). ■ Biogas/microturbine combinations. ■ Control systems that automatically switch from one energy source to another.

■ Behind-the-meter single to three-phase inverters.

■ Low energy refrigerants for upgrading or replacing old plant. ■ Green cleaning technologies. ■ Thermal solar and thermal storage/ heat exchange solutions.

‘‘These technologies can be combined for on grid, off grid or microgrid purposes, with package solutions ranging from saving energy costs to actually generating power as a secondary income source,’’ Mr Kerr said. ■ The Energy Expo, run by Farmer Power, will be held on Wednesday, March 28 in the Shepparton Showgrounds’ McIntosh Centre, between 10.30 am and 4 pm. ■ For more information about the free event or to RSVP for catering purposes, email: farmerpower578@gmail.com