Logan City Council has doubled its solar output and is now the leading generator of renewable energy in the city.
A new 1 megawatt (MW) solar farm at the Loganholme Wastewater Treatment Plant (LWWTP) has seen Council's solar capacity soar to 2MW with more projects set to come online.
The LWWTP solar farm will partly power another ground-breaking renewable energy innovation, the $17 million Biosolids Gasification Plant.
The IKEA building at Slacks Creek is believed to be the City of Logan's largest renewable energy producer. Its 714KW solar array capability could provide power to around 200 homes.
Logan City Council's solar capacity is enough to power around 600 homes*.
Deputy Mayor Jon Raven said Council is committed to achieving carbon neutrality.
"Residents of Logan are installing solar and Council is doing the same because we want to walk the talk when it comes to sustainability," Cr Raven said.
"Our sports facilities, libraries and our depots are increasingly being powered by the Queensland sun.
"This not only reduces our carbon emissions but ultimately benefits ratepayers by increasing our mix of energy options to save money on power bills."
Cr Raven said plans are underway to install solar panels at Council's Administration Centre in Wembley Road, Logan Central.
Council facilities such as the Mt Warren Sports Centre, the Marsden and Logan North Libraries and the Logan West Community Centre use solar energy.
The Round Mountain Reservoir at New Beith is run by solar panels and an off-grid Tesla battery.
Infrastructure Chair Teresa Lane said Logan Water is always looking at ways to reduce its carbon footprint.
"It's no secret that our water and wastewater treatment plants are big consumers of energy," Cr Lane said.
"That's why we've seen great ideas like the Biosolids Gasification Plant and the battery-powered Round Mountain Reservoir being brought online to provide green and renewable alternatives.
"The LWWTP solar farm shows Logan City Council is setting the lead for other businesses and Councils to follow."
The Biosolids Gasification Plant uses extreme temperatures to 'bake' sewage sludge (biosolids) and turn it into a renewable product that's capable of a number of uses.
Once operational it will reduce the volume of biosolids by 90 per cent saving ratepayers around $500,000 annually in haulage costs, while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
The Federal Government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) contributed $6 million towards the $17 million project.
Division 10 Councillor Cr Stemp, whose electorate takes in the LWWTP, said residents are amazed by the technology that's being pioneered at the plant and are impressed that such innovative green energy projects are happening in their backyard.
"The work that has gone into the Biosolids Gasification Plant is a testament to the ingenuity of Logan Water staff," Cr Stemp said.
"They are to be congratulated for what they have achieved and their focus on coming up with green and renewable solutions to our energy needs."
