Water System Energy Savings
Don Day
Extension Associate – Energy
December 2012
Outline
• Management Changes
– Scheduling
– Timing
• Mechanical Changes
– Checking System
• Energy Source
– Fuel Cost Comparisons
• Other farm water use
Irrigation Energy Savings
• Water only when needed.
Methods used to decide when to
irrigate
neighbors 7%
computer model
1%
other - 9%
crop condition 78%
calendar 25 %
Water delivery
org - 12%
Daily ET reports
- 9%
Scheduling
service - 8%
Plant moisture
device - 2%
soil moisture
sensors - 9%
Feel of soil 43%
Scheduling Methods
• Woodruff Method – or checkbook method
– http://agebb.missouri.edu/irrigate/woodruff/
• Weather data
• Recording field information: Sensors
– Soil moisture blocks
– Tensiometers
Crop Water Use from Weather Data
MU Weather Stations
• http://agebb.missouri.edu/weather/stations/i
ndex.htm
Soil Water by Hand Feel Method
Fine sandy loam 25-50% AW
Fine sandy loam 50-75% AW
Fine sandy loam 75-100%
WATERMARK
SOIL WATER SENSOR
Granular Matrix Block
PVC Pipe ½” SDR 13.5 (Working Pressure 315 psi) I.D. = 0.716”
CPVC Pipe ¾” Copper Tube Size (WP 100 psi) I.D. = 0.715”
Sensor Installation Depths
Insertion Hole
16”
6”
12”
Chisel Slot
18”
30”
42”
12”
12”
12”
Soil Depth
Intervals
Data Logger
Hansen AM400 Datalogger
-
6 Soil water sensors and two soil temperature sensors
Provides in field graph of past 35 days
More difficult to wire sensors into data logger
Special cable needed to download data
Easy Access
Irrigation Testing
• Uniformity testing
– Takes about 4 hours
– Should be done every 3-5 years
• Pump/well testing
– http://farmenergymedia.extension.org/video/irrigatio
n-pumping-plant-efficiency
– http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae122
– http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/evans/
ag452-6.html
– http://itc.tamu.edu/documents/l885.pdf
Maintenance
• Leaks
– Reduce pressure
– Affect uniformity
• Nozzles
– Each worn nozzle can cost $4/yr. in energy cost
• Power Units
– Proper maintenance
– Keep weeds mowed for ventilation
• Pumps
– Worn impellers
– Seals
• Intakes: lower water levels may require adjustment
of pumps due to water level.
Pump with Normal Seal
Pump with Worn Seal
Internal
leakage
Worn seal
Some water is re-pumped and re-pressurized
Worn Impellers
Open Impeller
Enclosed Impeller
North Central Region SARE Grant, 2011
Impeller Adjustment is Key
Bottom Seal re-established, improving output and efficiency (may
increase per hour energy use)
Irrigation Energy Assessments
• NRCS:
– http://www.ruralenergy.wisc.edu/conservation/irr
igation/default_irrigation.aspx
Decreasing Irrigation Energy
Item
Potential Savings
Improve Pumping Plant Efficiency
50%
Decrease operating pressure
50%
Reduce amt. of water pumped
25%
Load Management
50%
Down-size electric motors
10%
Change sprinklers to reduce evap.
10%
Water at night
5-10%
Fuel Cost Comparisons
• http://agebb.missouri.edu/irrigate/tips/index.
htm
Additional Resources
• http://www.extension.org/pages/27775/intro
duction-to-energy-efficient-irrigation
Financial Assistance
• EQIP – USDA NRCS
– http://www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqi
p.html
• REAP –USDA Rural Development
– http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/MO-REAP.html
Loans and Cost Share Might be Used
For:
•
•
•
•
•
Converting to low pressure
Change of nozzles
Updating power equipment
Converting type of fuel
Sensors
Livestock Watering Systems
• http://www.extension.org/pages/32596/livest
ock-watering-systems-energy-efficiencychecklist-and-tips
• http://extension.missouri.edu/p/EQ380
Livestock Waterers
• MAESTRO example
– Heating elements ran 24 hours/day for 75 days.
(600 hrs. run time)
– One 500 watt, three 250 watt
– Used 2250 kWh at cost of $270
– Cost of energy free waterers, $1650
– Payback = 5.7 years
Livestock Waterers
• Thermostat settings
• Check for leaks
• Insulate waterer
Pump Houses
• MAESTRO Example:
– Uninsulated pump house:
•
•
•
•
•
•
790 kWh electric use at cost of $95/year
Add insulation
Reduce to 272 kWh at cost of $33
Cost of insulation = $230
Annual savings = $62
Payback = 3.7 years
Pump Houses
• Seal air leaks
• Add insulation
• Use thermostats to control heat
Files on the Jump Drive
• This presentation: Water System Energy
Saving Don Day.pptx
• Bioenergy and Sustainable Energy Series
– Encon-2.4-11-30-2012.pdf
– Encon-2.4-Irrigation Self-Test.docx
Files on Jump Drive
• ATTRA publications:
– Energytips_irrig.pdf
– Irrigation-water.pdf
– Maintaining_pumps.pdf
– Soil_moisture.pdf
Files on Jump Drive
• PowerPoints
– Energy Conservation with pipeline design
– Irrigation Management Tools for Energy
Conservation_2011
– Reducting_Pumping_Energy_Costs12011_final
• Handouts:
– Irrigation Pumping Costs Handout_2011
– Evaluating Pumping Plant Efficiency, K-State
– Updating the Nebraska Pumping Plant Performance
Criteria
Files on Jump Drive
• Joe Henggler files:
– Options to Decrease Irrigation Cost
– Expanded Options to Decrease Energy Cost in
Irrigation
– Fuel Cost Comparisons (Excel File also on AgEbb)
Questions
Don Day
Extension Associate – Energy
daydr@missouri.edu
573-823-1570