Dear farmer,
We would like to invite you to participate in this survey to inform on how to better align farmer and network business interest in relation to grid-connected on-farm renewable energy generation.

This project, titled “Irrigators – the flow on benefits of regionally embedded generation”, was set up to investigate the challenges and obstacles experienced by irrigators/farmers who have installed renewable energy generation assets on farm and tried to feed excess energy generated back into the grid. It aims to enable a more effective dialogue between farmers /irrigators and the electricity distribution network businesses to better coordinate the integration of renewable energy generation. The project is being conducted by the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), University of Technology Sydney in partnership with the NSW Irrigators’ Council (NSWIC), Cotton Australia and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF). The research is funded by Energy Consumers Australia.

If you agree to participate we would like you to complete the following survey, which will take about 10 minutes. You are under no obligation to participate.

What will we do with the data?
We will use the data to identify, document and find solutions for the challenges and obstacles experienced by irrigators/farmers. Data will also inform a full project report later in 2018 and may be used in media or academic publications. None of these publications will identify you in any way.
 
What if I have more questions or concerns?
If you have any concerns or questions about the research you can contact Dr Chris Briggs at the Institute for Sustainable Futures on chris.briggs@uts.edu.au or +61 477 301 892.

Studies undertaken by the Institute for Sustainable Futures have been approved in principle  by the UTS Human Research Ethics Committee. If you have any complaints or reservations about any aspect of your participation in this research you may contact the ISF Ethics Coordinator, Dr Keren Winterford (Keren.Winterford@uts.edu.au, 02 9514 4972) or the ISF Deputy Director, Professor Cynthia Mitchell (Cynthia.Mitchell@uts.edu.au, 02 9514 4953).

You may also contact the UTS Ethics Committee through the Research Ethics Officer (02 9514 9772, Research.Ethics@uts.edu.au). Any complaint you make will be treated in confidence and investigated fully and you will be informed of the outcome.