Question: Who is authorized to conduct a farm-specific energy-efficiency audit?
Answer: The engineering professionals with the technical skills to conduct energy audits and who have experience with farms. Additionally, you can look at Dandelion Renewables
Energy-Efficiency case studies, the
Agricultural Energy-Efficiency analytical review and financing programs in 2019 for increasing
irrigation systems efficiency.
Question: What information is required for an energy-efficiency audit?
Answer:
- Bills (Power, Nat Gas, Propane, Diesel, Gasoline);
- Facility tour of equipment;
- Operations review;
Question: What is the process of an energy-efficiency audit?
Answer: The process includes the following steps:
- Measure energy consumption of different equipment.
- Identify the most energy-efficient equipment and practices among those producers.
- Make farm-specific recommendations for energy efficiency improvements.
Question: What is included in the farm-specific energy-efficiency report?
Answer: The report includes recommendations for the most cost-effective opportunities available for the farm to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy consumption.
Question: Which farm equipment have the best opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs?
Answer: The major equipment categories vary and depend on the facility type and equipment usage. For example, in commercial beekeeping, we have identified following equipment categories or systems (in order of highest to the lowest potential for annual cost savings per hive):
- Vehicles
- Heat Trace
- Wax Melting
- Space Heating
- Honey Heating
- Lighting
- Indoor Overwintering Fans
- Pressure Washer Heating
- Appliances
- Circulator
Question: What are the general parameters of energy-efficiency?
Answer: General parameters of energy-efficiency include:
- Annual Fuel Savings (MMBtu)
- Annual Electricity Savings (kWh)
- Annual Cost Savings
- Cost of Upgrades
- Payback (years)
- Internal Rate of Return on Investment (IRR)
Question: How can farmers reduce their energy costs or energy consumption?
Answer: For example, for the Vehicles category considering savings options might include (not complete list):
- Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Improvement
- Renewable Diesel for Existing Diesel Trucks to Reduce GHG Emissions
- Hybrid-Electric Diesel Trucks and Electric Trucks