What was it all about?

This project investigated whether atmospheric water generator (AWG) heat pump technology could provide a more reliable and energy-efficient alternative to traditional drying systems used by the dried grape industry.  

Wet harvest conditions can cause significant crop losses, while diesel and LPG-powered drying systems expose growers to rising fuel costs. The study assessed whether AWG heat pumps could create a controlled drying environment that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and supports fruit quality.  

A technical feasibility assessment and 15-year financial modelling compared conventional diesel drying with AWG heat pump dehydrators at both farm and large-scale processing scales. The analysis found that AWG heat pumps could theoretically reduce heating energy demand by up to 83 per cent compared with diesel burners. Financial modelling suggested the strongest returns at aggregator scale, while farm-scale systems became more financially attractive when combined with solar power and Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) incentives.  

Key outputs included a technical feasibility report, an interactive return-on-investment model and an industry fact sheet. The findings identified AWG heat pumps as a potential pathway to improve resilience to wet harvest conditions and reduce exposure to diesel price volatility. Further drying trials and validation work are recommended to confirm performance, operating requirements and financial outcomes under Australian conditions. 

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Download the industry summary fact sheet here. 

The atmospheric water generator ROI calculator is available upon request to levy payers, email communications@horticulture.com.au to request access.