CQUniversity is well placed to save money through energy savings across its older campus buildings, while acting as a beacon for other organisations considering reductions in their carbon emissions.

That's according to Cath Bremner, Chief Operating Officer for Low Carbon Australia*, who visited Rockhampton Campus this week with her LCA colleague Mel Cutler and Fitzroy Basin Association** representative Michael Bent.

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LINK for Acting now for Australia's Low Carbon future

L-R Mel Cutler, David Turner, Cath Bremner and Michael Bent discuss ways to unlock the commercial benefits of energy efficiency improvements on campuses

Their visit was arranged with help from Dr Susan Kinnear at the Centre for Environment Management, who is interested in the research potential of any campus initiatives that might gain funding success through LCA's $100 million pool for project submissions. CQUniversity Chief Financial Officer David Turner also helped host the visitors.

"Universities can potentially save between 20% and 40% of their energy bill and, if successful in identifying key projects, CQUniversity could provide leadership within the region while providing demonstrations and case studies for other institutions across Australia and worldwide," Ms Bremner said.

"We are keen to work with university business schools for detailed cost-benefit analysis, engineering schools for technology research and perhaps students who can help with energy audits.

"Under our Energy Efficiency Program and Carbon Neutral Program we offer finance, expertise and information designed to help business, organisations and the community make a successful transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy."

CQUniversity teamed with Fitzroy Basin Association to host a campus seminar, so Ms Bremner could explain financial products and advice available for cost-effective energy and carbon emissions reduction.

A guided campus tour after the seminar highlighted the energy efficiency features of CQUniversity buildings as well as the potential for improvements and how these might be achieved.

* Low Carbon Australia (LCA) has been established by the Australian Government as an independent company with over $100 million initial funding to provide financial solutions to encourage action on energy efficiency, cost-effective carbon reductions, and accreditation for carbon neutral products and organisations.  LCA works collaboratively with business and public sector organisations, to develop, co-design and co-deliver energy efficiency finance solutions and to facilitate the transition to a truly low carbon economy.  The energy efficiency program is currently assessing project proposals that include cogeneration or trigeneration (e.g. in aquatic centres), street lighting upgrades, insulation and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and cooling (HVAC) upgrades and, in local government projects, have included power factor correction, variable speed drives, light and light fitting retrofits, lighting controls and voltage reduction units.

** Fitzroy Basin Association is Central Queensland's peak body for promoting sustainable development and supporting the wise use and management of natural assets.