With over 5 million litres of water on site running through 14 plantrooms and 71 living displays housing some 16,000 fish and aquatic organisms including ocean-going sharks, rays and grouper, within a 7,800 square metre airconditioned building, Cairns Aquarium is one of the city’s largest energy users.
The solar array will power 100% of the aquarium’s life support systems, crucial for aquatic water filtration and livestock care. The initiative aligns with efforts to educate about environmental conservation, focusing on ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef and the wet tropical rainforest.
Installation marks a significant step towards sustainability in World Heritage Areas, setting an example in eco-friendly practices. The solar installation will notably reduce energy costs for the aquarium, benefiting operational sustainability.
The $400,000 renewable energy investment will provide 100% of the Aquariums energy needs to power its Life Support Systems (LSS) which includes aquatic pumps and mechanical and biological filtration which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide purified water for the inhabitants.
The 401 k/w system will provide enough energy to power the equivalent of 125 homes.
Cairns Aquarium CEO Daniel Leipnik said that the installation, involving almost 700 x 585W Risen Energy solar panels was an important sustainability initiative for the business.
“The hallmark of the Cairns Aquarium is our ability to educate people about the beautiful underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef and its adjoining mangrove and freshwater ecosystems. Each day our team members present educational talks to thousands of visitors about these beautiful environments and what people can do to protect the planet. Having a significant renewable energy generating power source on site showcases our efforts to do our part in reducing fossil fuel use and supporting action against climate change.”
Several structural mechanical and electrically engineered solutions were developed before the system was finally approved by Ergon energy.
“A large team of specialist consultants and engineers across Australia joined forces to engineer a solution for large scale onsite renewable energy needs for the Aquarium. Contractors from Solenergy, Goodwe and Complete Energy Solutions worked with Ergon energy to ensure compliance and the ability for the Aquarium to access renewable energy generated at its facility.”
The Cairns Aquarium is highly valued by both locals and tourists. It serves as an educational hub about wet tropics and the Great Barrier Reef and offers an indoor alternative for tourists unable to explore the reef directly.
One of the best things about this project is that it was delivered on time and on budget.
The tangible environmental benefits for the city of Cairns include the equivalent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 12,872 trees planted each year or the avoidance of 213,830 litres of fuel used per year or the avoidance of 243,017 kilos of coal burnt each year.
The solar array, one of the largest to be installed in Cairns, will be switched on, on the 28th March 2025
Congratulations to the Cairns Aquarium for securing the grant from Queensland and Federal Governments and thank you for letting me see the panels up close.
