Improving Energy Efficiency in Agriculture

1
Improving Energy Efficiency in Agriculture

• Dennis Buffington
• Penn State University
• Agricultural Biological Engineering Department
• November 15, 2007

2
(No Transcript)
3
(No Transcript)
4
(No Transcript)
5
(No Transcript)
6
ENERGY STRATEGIES

• To reduce expenses for electricity, heating
  fuels, and vehicle fuels.
• To increase profitability and net cash flow of
  agricultural operations by optimizing the use of
  electricity and other fuels

7
(No Transcript)
8
(No Transcript)
9
(No Transcript)
10
CALCULATE YOUR COSTS FOR ENERGY TO PRODUCE 100
pounds of milk dozen eggs flat of bedding
plants bushel of fruit dollar of revenue Compare
with your other costs for labor, fertilizer, feed
supplements, insurance, maintenance, etc.
11
Alternative Energy Sources
12
BIOMASS
13
Energy in Agriculture
14
Domestic, Renewable Energy--
Biodiesel
Soybean Seeds
Methyl Alcohol
2 Diesel Fuel
Water
Catalyst
Raw Soybean Oil
Refined Oil
Biodiesel
Separator
Crusher- Press
Injection Blending
Reactor
Scrubber
Waste Water
Glycerin for Soaps, Shampoos, Cosmetics
Soybean Meal for Animal Feed
B20 Fuel
Biodiesel Benefits

• Reduce dependency on imported petroleum
• Improve the environment and public health
• Increase our domestic rural economy
• Increase lubricity for engine
• Promote homeland security
• Pay less for energy

15
Domestic, Renewable Energy---
Ethanol
Carbon Dioxide
Shelled Corn
Yeast
Gasoline
Ethyl Alcohol
Mash
Beer
Distillation Columns
Fermenter
Blender
Grinder
Cooker
Ethanol Gasohol
Dried Stillage for Animal Feed
Dehydrator
Water

• Reduce dependency on imported petroleum
• Improve the environment and public health
• Increase our domestic rural economy
• Promote homeland security
• Replace MTBE as fuel oxygenate
• Payless for energy - maybe

Ethanol Benefits
16
What Are The Energy Alternatives?

• Its like picking apples!

17
Hydro- gen
Photo-Voltaics
Energy Efficiency
18
(No Transcript)
19
Power Inputs
Watts
Light Output
Lumens
Light Level on
Target
Target Surface
surface
Foot Candles
20
(No Transcript)
21
(No Transcript)
22
(No Transcript)
23
(No Transcript)
24
(No Transcript)
25
5 HP, 1-Phase
Efficiency 82 Power Factor 87 Weight 87
lbs. List Price 722
L1410TM
26
5 HP, 1-Phase
Efficiency 86 Power Factor 97 Weight 99
lbs. List Price 994
EL3612T
27
Why Pay 272 More?
722 for 82
994 for 86
28
Annual Cost per One Horsepower, Continuous
Operation
29
Why Pay 272 More?

• For operation 80 of time, annual savings in
  electricity at 0.10 per kWh is
• 148
• Payback period of 1.8 years
• or 22 months

30
Motor Economics 101

• Factors
• Purchase Price (or Capital Cost)
• Cost of Electricity (or Operating Cost)
• The cost of electricity to operate a motor for
  its lifetime far exceeds the purchase price by
  many times.

31
List Price Should Not Be The Bottom Line!
The Bottom Line is Life Cycle Costs
32
(No Transcript)
33
(No Transcript)
34
Demand Management

• Avoid costly spikes in energy demand
• Load Factor 100 x kWh/(kW24Days)

35
REDUCE TRACTOR FUEL COSTS Clean fuel
injectors Service air cleaners Use proper
viscosity of engine oil Use proper
ballast Replace drive tires with excessive
wear Shut off diesel engines rather than
idling Operate tractors in higher gears and lower
throttle settings
Clean fuel injectors Service air cleaners Use
proper viscosity of engine oil Use proper
ballast Replace drive tires with excessive
wear Shut off diesel engines rather than
idling Operate tractors in higher gears and lower
throttle settings
36
Hydro- gen
Photo-Voltaics
Energy Efficiency
37
Which is Cheaper?

• Propane _at_ 2.15 per gallon

• 2 Heating Oil _at_ 2.50 per gallon

38
(No Transcript)
39
(No Transcript)
40
Which is Cheaper?

• Must compare using Dollars per Million BTUs
• Energy Selectors http//BurnCorn.cas.psu.edu
• On-line Energy Calculator http//Energy.cas.psu
  .edu

41
On-line Energy Calculator http//Energy.cas.psu.
edu
42
(No Transcript)
43
(No Transcript)
44
(No Transcript)
45
(No Transcript)
46
(No Transcript)
47
(No Transcript)
48
(No Transcript)
49
(No Transcript)
50
(No Transcript)
51
(No Transcript)
52
(No Transcript)
53
(No Transcript)
54
(No Transcript)
55
(No Transcript)
56
(No Transcript)
57
(No Transcript)
58
(No Transcript)
59
Alternative Energy Sources
60
THERES NO SILVER BULLET
Lone Ranger

• Look for Site-Specific Energy Solutions

61
WHAT IS THE ENERGY THAT IS --

• Most affordable?
• Friendliest to the environment?
• Not imported?
• Increases the domestic economy?
• Totally sustainable?
• The greenest energy?

62
Who is the GREENEST Energy?
63
Who is the GREENEST Energy?
64
Who is the GREENEST Energy?
65
The GREENEST Energy is

• The energy that is NOT used because of an
  EFFECTIVE energy management program.

66
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
67
Mark Your Calendar!
December 31, 2009
68
Electricity Rate Caps Expire

• Dec. 31, 2009
• Dec. 31, 2010

• PPL
• Allegheny Power
• Met Ed
• PECO
• Penelec

69
What Happens Then?

• ?

70
(No Transcript)