News

Exciting works update July 2024

25 July 2024

Barwon Water are excited to update the community on the progress of the Colac Renewable Organic Network (RON) upgrade. Testing and commissioning has been undertaken on the cogeneration system, and we will soon be supplying heat to the Colac-based Australian Lamb Company (ALC) to offset their gas usage for heating their hot water systems.

We are taking organic waste from ALC and Bulla Dairy Foods and transforming it into renewable energy – making this Australia’s first hot water network to share renewable energy with industry.

Additionally, once the system reaches its peak output electrical power generation of 5.5GWh/yr of renewable energy will be produced. This is equivalent to 1100 households!

The upgrade will significantly reduce the high energy cost of treating sewage and wastewater, helping to keep Barwon Water customers’ bills affordable, cater for future growth of the area and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the site by 6,300 tonnes per year.

Cogeneration unit

New cogeneration unit powered by biogas producing electricity for export into the grid and heat for the hot water loop