Witnessing victoria’s FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE energy

Sita at Mt Mercer Wind Farm

In October last year, the club sent several passionate members on an excursion organised by Dr. Roger Dargaville, a major supporter of the club, as part of his unit RSE1010, Introduction to Resources Engineering. This unit focuses on the fundamental aspects of resources engineering and aims to improve the sustainability of the earth's resources through efficient design and technology application.

Sita, a chemical engineering student, put together some reflections on the day:

“During the mid-semester break, I had the incredible opportunity to visit two important facilities driving the future of sustainable energy in Victoria: the Mt Mercer Wind Farm and the Bioenergy Plant at Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant.

At Mt Mercer Wind Farm, seeing the 64 towering MM92 turbines in action was awe-inspiring. This 131.2 MW renewable energy facility spans a 2,600-hectare site in the Golden Plains Shire, south of Ballarat, one of Victoria’s windiest regions. While there, the harmony between technology and nature stood out—birds flew around the site, and I even saw beautiful cape dandelions in full bloom, reminding me of the importance of preserving the natural environment as we advance sustainable technologies.

We also toured the substation, where electricity generated by the turbines is transmitted through underground cables. The scale and sophistication of the operation emphasised the engineering and logistics involved in delivering clean, reliable energy to the grid. The visit gave me a deeper understanding of how wind energy is harnessed and how crucial it is to Australia’s renewable energy landscape.

Following this, we visited Melbourne Water’s Bioenergy Plant at the Western Treatment Plant. We learned how biogas is captured from wastewater in anaerobic digesters and delivered to a power station, where it is combusted and converted to meet the site’s electricity needs. This innovative process not only reduces emissions but also contributes to the circular economy by turning waste into energy.

These experiences have deepened my passion for renewable energy and sustainability, huge thanks to the Monash Energy Club for providing such a meaningful and educational trip!”