Australian industry shifts towards energy efficient Distributed approach

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Jenbacher gas engine Image credit: flickr User: GE Europe

Australia’s industries have been increasingly adopting a new energy efficient model of producing and using their own energy close to the point of use, as the technologies required to create electricity have become smaller, more efficient and less expensive over the last decade.

Jenbacher gas engine Image credit: flickr User: GE Europe
Jenbacher gas engine
Image credit: flickr User: GE Europe

According to the article on GE Reports, many industries have adopted this so called ”Distributed approach”, as it allows them to produce their own energy from a variety of fuels via gas turbines, reciprocating engines, fuel cells and wind turbines in a much more efficient, cost-saving and environmentally friendly manner.

The Distributed approach is particularly popular in remote communities and industries like mining and agriculture, where the cost of connecting to the grid can be quite high and the production of their own electricity close to the point of use could deliver significant performance improvements and savings.

The results of implementing this approach are already visible.

GE’s Australian Jenbacher distributor Clarke Energy was recently approached by Charles Sturt University in Bathrust, NSW, to design and construct a highly efficient cogeneration plant equipped with GE’s Jenbacher gas engine, which is expected to substantially reduce the University’s dependence of energy from the grid and bring it closer to becoming carbon neutral by 2015.

Adertisement

According to GE’s estimates, approximately 65% of global electricity consumption will be located in emerging markets, with Asia’s nations leading the queue.

GE believes that this will present Australia with a great opportunity to acquire expertise in the distributed power to help them make the transition.