Macadamia Farm: Freedom Fresh Australia
The client
Freedom Fresh Australia
The creators of happy nut operate a Macadamia receival and drying system in Elliot Heads, Bundaberg QLD.
The challenge
The client was rapidly expanding operations and pushing the limit of the available electrical power system. This had them using more than $30,000 month of diesel and LPG to dry the Macadamias.
The Solution
Clean Firm Power installed a world first macadamia shell plus solar powered microgrid to provide electricity for the processing system and heat for drying macadamias.
The Set Up and Specs
After identifying predicted site loads and drying configuration Clean Firm Power worked with Freedom Fresh Australia to set up a ‘living lab’ to produce renewable heat and power from Macadamia shells and sunlight. This system is a demonstration and testing plant for a larger scale implementation at Freedom Fresh’s new factory.
The system included:
- 2 x 45kW Spanner Gasifiers
- 40kW ground mount Solar
- 60kW roof mount solar
- 220kWh of Lithium Ion Batteries
- Microgrid Systems Innovative Powercore (100kW Stand alone, grid forming Inverter and control system
Implementation
The system was installed and commissioned over a 7 month period. The next 12 months will be a testing/demonstration phase.
The system is capable of meeting a 100kW continually and provides 200kWth of heating energy for drying or other use.
- Operates on Macadamia shells
- Remote monitored
- No grid connection required for Clean Continuous Firm Power
Results
The system has just finished commissioning and 2025 will see the system put through its paces during the Macadamia drying season (February to September).
Outcomes so far:
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Reliable power due to grid limitations
- Ability to use locally available residue
Learn More
Here are some case studies from Re²
