Saving Big Dollars on Energy

The surprising thing is, a lot of these savings are right there for the easy taking, but not many producers realize just how big the opportunity is to keep more energy dollars in their wallets. As a result, many are missing out on multi-thousands of dollars every year.

"It’s just not something they think about a lot and the opportunity isn’t always obvious. But if they found out how quickly and how big they could save, many of them would be kicking themselves for not taking advantage of those savings sooner," says Jason Price, a Project Manager with Agriculture and Rural Development.

Savings of $10,000 to $20,000 per year or more are well within reach for many operations, says Price. Large operations can double or triple those numbers. "Improving energy efficiency is one of the simplest ways for producers to quickly fatten their bottom line."

Program available to producers
The challenge is the best ways to improve energy efficiency are not always clear, he says. That’s where a new program is available to help.

The OnFarm Energy Efficiency Program is a program designed by agricultural engineers that is now available to dairy, swine and poultry operations in southern Alberta. The program was developed by Climate Change Central, Agriculture and Rural Development’s AgTech Centre and Alberta Advanced Education and Technology.

It is currently in a pilot phase, with 100 spots available on a first come, first served basis to local producers. The program involves an on-farm energy assessment by qualified experts who then provide the producer with cost-saving information and recommendations.

The regular cost of the assessment would be $1,800. But because the OnFarm program is a not-for-profit venture subsidized by program sponsors, producers pay only $200. That $200 goes directly toward a customized report that producers receive with cost-saving information for their operation.

"The $200 is an outstanding investment for the producer," says Rick Atkins of the AgTech Centre. "It’s a small token of the assessment cost and ultimately goes toward improvements that can save thousands upon thousands every year."

Producers in the SouthGrow region can apply for an on farm subsidized energy assessment by contacting Debbie Campbell with Agriculture and Rural Development, by phone at 403-329-1212 or by e-mail at debbie.campbell@gov.ab.ca. Further information is also available online at the OnFarm Energy Program Web site, www.onfarmenergy.ca.

Payoff in the details
The key to identifying options to improve energy efficiency is understanding energy costs at a more detailed level, says Darryl Slingerland, a Project Manager with AgTech Centre. "There’s a lot more to it than what shows up on an electricity bill or natural gas bill."

Producers need to see not just what they’re spending overall, but to have a detailed list of the many specific energy uses and costs that add up to that total, he says. "The energy assessment provides that detail."

Information produced by the assessment includes kilowatt hours for electricity used, gigajoules for natural gas used, litres for gas and diesel fuels used, and additional figures for alternative energy used.

Information also includes detailed breakdowns of the specific "energy eaters" behind those totals. Ten system categories analyzed in the breakdowns include lighting, ventilation, space heating, water heating, water pumping, feed, manure, milking, eggs and other.

In addition, the assessment provides detailed observations of factors specific to an operation that may be affecting energy efficiency, along with recommendations for improvement.

"The idea is you can’t manage what you don’t measure," says Slingerland. "The assessment provides the measurements to show producers exactly how they are using energy. That combined with the recommendations provides a basis for the producer to make management decisions to reduce energy use."

Quick and easy process
Once producers sign-up for the program, they receive a phone call to set up an appointment for an OnFarm energy assessment, which takes a half day to a full day, depending on the size, equipment and processes of the operation.

Once the assessment is finished, a report is produced and typically delivered back to the producer within eight weeks.

There is no requirement to act on the report and all individual reports are kept confidential, says Slingerland. "What producers do with the information is up to them."

For producers who choose to implement energy efficiency measures, there are typically many short and long-term options outlined in the report.

"The report identifies ‘low hanging fruit’ – the simple things that can be done quickly to make a big improvement," says Price. "It also identifies other options for reducing energy use that producers can implement over time. As a result, producers participating in the program have an opportunity to make big cost reductions right away and then make further reductions at a pace that makes sense for their situation."

Tested, tailored protocols
The program is based on tested protocols that include tailored measurements and approaches for each type of operation – dairy, swine or poultry. "Each type of operation is different, so it’s important the program recognizes those differences, in order to get accurate results and practical recommendations," says Price.

The program is also designed to capture the judgment of knowledgeable program delivery agents, who can make assessments based on scenarios that are not easily measured, says Slingerland. "The program really covers all the bases."

Quality process, quality people Delivery agents for the OnFarm program are experienced energy assessment people from companies such as Atco or engineers with experience in agriculture or other fields. All complete an intensive training program, designed as a four-day workshop, to ensure they understand everything they need to know about the program and the environment they will be working in. Along with program details, assessors are educated on agricultural practices and important work environment considerations such as biosecurity. Resources at the AgTech Centre are also used to educate program delivery agents on details of agricultural equipment and processes. One of the clear goals is to build supporting industry capacity into the program. "We want not only to have the experienced assessors do the evaluations but also to have the manufacturing sector support it," says Atkins.