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Project Size:
100kW Rooftop Solar PV + 100kW Battery Storage
153 MWh Generation per Year
70% Energy Reduction
123t C02 reduction per year
5 Years Payback Period
The Challenge
Officeworks as a company has ambitious sustainability goals, one of which is to be 100 per cent powered by renewables by 2025. To achieve this, the company is relying on a combination of on-site solar and storage along with large-scale wind and solar farm agreements.
Unexpected rollout challenges are disruptive for any organisation, but as a large retail chain with 168 stores across Australia it was imperative for Officeworks that disruptions were minimised. To this end, the company needed a successful proof-of-concept to enable them to roll the strategy out across its network.
The Solution
It made a lot of sense for Officeworks Warana to be the first store to have a lithium-ion battery installed to store to complement its existing rooftop PV solar array. As a new facility — the store opened in 2021 — it was already built with sustainability in mind. The thermal coating on the roof and double insulation keeps the building comfortable without additional heating or cooling. Additionally, LED lights greatly improve energy efficiency across the store and further reduce power draw.
“We chose Warana to be the first store to get a lithium battery because, first of all, it’s located in the Sunshine State, so it’s the perfect place to put it. But it’s also a perfect example of working in close partnership with our landlord, who has been a key contributor to this initiative.”
Brendan Hargreaves
Officeworks - CFO
“The typical Queensland store consumes around 340,000 KwH per year. At Warana, we consume about 130,000 KwH per year. It’s a reduction of about 70 per cent from your typical Queensland store.”
Patrick Heagney
Officeworks - Carbon and Energy Manager
