Hospitality precinct opts for large-scale solar

A Brisbane hospitality precinct has installed a large-scale solar array as part of achieving its ambitious sustainability goals.

Howard Smith Wharves (HSW), owned by Artemus Group, is a riverfront precinct containing restaurants, cafes, bars, event spaces, a hotel and a brewery.

Having already diverted 97% of its waste from landfill, the precinct commissioned an energy audit and kitchen electrification study from Origin Zero, with the aim of reducing emissions by 44% by June 2026, compared to 2022 levels. Origin Zero is a branch of energy provider Origin that helps large businesses work towards net zero goals.

Following the audit, Origin Zero proposed the 179 kW rooftop solar array as well as power factor correction (an adjustment of power supply systems to enhance efficiency) to achieve immediate supply-side emissions savings of 7.2% across the precinct’s many venues.

“These two quick and simple solutions drastically reduce our emissions, so of course we jumped at the opportunity,” said Luke Fraser, CEO of Artemus Group.

“It’s exciting to continue redefining sustainability in hospitality as we work collaboratively to raise the industry standard and to support national emissions reduction targets and help the country toward net zero by 2050.”

Rooftop solar array at Howard Smith Wharves. Image: Supplied.

Liam McWhirter, Origin Zero’s GM Enterprise and Strategic Partners, said Origin Zero had worked closely with Howard Smith Wharves to understand its business needs and identify the right solutions to help achieve its sustainability goals.

“The first step in the process was conducting a full energy audit and carbon assessment,” McWhirter said.

“We’ve since been able to implement a range of initiatives together, including the installation of a rooftop solar system that meets heritage requirements and will generate a considerable portion of Howard Smith Wharves’ day-time energy usage,” he continued.

“Alongside achieving meaningful carbon emissions reductions, our work with Howard Smith Wharves will also deliver significant energy savings,” McWhirter added.

The audit found electricity corresponded to 69% of HSW’s energy consumption but 90% of its emissions due to the high emissions factor of the Queensland electricity grid. Decarbonisation of the grid over the coming years with the phase-out of coal power plants is expected to contribute emissions savings of 25% for the precinct.

Origin Zero developed an emissions reduction pathway to map the various actions that could help Howard Smith Wharves reach its target. It found the precinct could reduce demand-side emissions by 7.7% through various measures.

These included the use of a heat pump to supply chilled water to the precinct, offsetting 625,700 kWh of natural gas and reducing emissions by 4.3% — the biggest demand-side potential emissions reduction for the precinct.

“Our next step is to establish a plan to replace our gas appliances, obtain designs for chilled water heat recovery, and buy the green power we need — as well as implementing some other changes the audit identified that we can make for smaller gains, like optimising fans in the car park,” Fraser said.

“It’s our vision at Howard Smith Wharves to become the most sustainable precinct on the planet. We want to redefine the benchmark for sustainability in the hospitality industry in Australia.”

Top image caption: Howard Smith Wharves. Image: Supplied.