Monash University has signed a purchase agreement with a Victorian wind farm as part of its zero emissions goal.
The Murra Warra Wind Farm near Horsham in western Victoria is currently under construction. The first stage of the project, which consists of 61 turbines, should be operational by next year. At full completion the project should comprise around 116 turbines.
In signing the agreement, Monash has joined a consortium of buyers into the project led by Telstra.
Zero emissions goal forms part of University’s wider goals
This is just one action by Monash towards reducing its emissions and better-managing its energy usage. The university’s ‘Net Zero Emissions by 2030’ project will involve numerous measures.
The initiative’s 2030 goals include 100 per cent renewable energy use comprising wind and solar power, and 20 per cent self-generated renewable energy from onsite.
To get an idea of the changes Monash is making, in 2017 the university had 15 per cent renewable energy use and 0.7 per cent self-generated renewables. The plan also includes installing a MW energy storage battery system for storing unused solar energy.
The initiative is already well underway. Here are some examples of current achievements:
- A 4,000 panel solar installation across campus buildings.
- 6,000 light fittings upgraded to energy-efficient LEDs.
- Onsite microgrid at Clayton campus to control energy usage.
- Elimination of natural gas in all new buildings.
The university’s sustainable development planner Dr Kendra Wasiluk described the new purchase agreement as an important step for the institution in reducing its carbon footprint and managing its electricity prices.
Australian universities joining the push to renewables
Monash is not the only tertiary institution working on strong emission reduction goals.
Last year the University of Southern Queensland won a solar design award for its 1.1MW solar carpark system installed across several campuses. The system forms part of the university’s Sustainable Energy Solution Project.
Furthermore, the University of NSW signed a solar power purchase agreement with Sunraysia Solar Farm as part of its goal of 100 per cent renewables.
In addition, UniSuper, the Australian university main superannuation fund, has dumped its coal investments. The fund described investing in coal as “not a good long-term bet” for the retirement funds of its members.
