Energy Research

Energy Research
Energy Efficiency
Increasing energy efficiency is one of the best ways for agriculture to address climate change. AF is using energy assessments to increase energy efficiency on farms. Energy assessments make producers aware of their farms power consumption and where the largest economic benefits are gained by increasing energy efficiency. Energy assessments consist of spreadsheets, protocols and information on energy saving technologies that assessors use for various farming operations. In 2005 Climate Change Central and AF started developing an energy assessment for livestock barns. AF has set a goal to expand the assessment program to the entire farm. Assessments have recently been developed for irrigation, greenhouses, seed cleaning, feed mills and feedlots. One of the gaps in energy assessments on a farm is separating the power use for various operations. AF encourages producers to meter separate operations for both natural gas and electricity so energy assessments can be performed and potential energy savings discovered. To address energy use in field operations, the Alberta Farm Carbon Calculator was developed. The calculator assists producers in saving diesel fuel during field operations.

New lighting technologies have been thoroughly investigated at the Agricultural Technology Centre. These new lighting technologies are demonstrated in a storage building at the Agricultural Technology Centre. New energy saving technologies that are currently under investigation include variable frequency drives for fans and pumps, infrared heating, tank-less hot water heater, solar air heater, LED lights and a written pole motor. The information found on energy savings with the technologies will also be used in the Growing Forward On-Farm Energy Management Program for possible future incentives.

Renewable Energy
On farm power generation should only be developed once all energy efficiencies are realized. The micro generation legislation in Alberta states that producers can only generate enough energy to offset the energy they use on farm. Wind energy shows great potential for on farm power generation. AF collaborated with the Farmer’s Advocate and the Pembina Institute to develop the Landowner’s Guide to Wind Development. The guide is a resource to producers who are approached with wind development proposals or producers thinking of developing their own wind power micro generation. Solar energy also has great potential for on farm power generation but capital costs are still high. The Agricultural Technology Centre developed an off grid solar powered system for a storage building using photo voltaic panels. The system generates power for a light system and is used for research and demonstration. AF organizes conferences to address the knowledge gap in renewable energy. Energy Options behind the Farm Gate conferences were held in Taber in 2009 and in Grande Prairie and Stettler in 2010.

Click here to view the Landowners’ Guide to Wind Energy in Alberta.

Energy Research

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