Water System Energy Savings

Don DayExtension 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

other - 9%neighbors 7%

computer model 1%

calendar 25 %

Water delivery org - 12%

Daily ET reports - 9%

Feel of soil 43%

crop condition - 78%

Plant moisture device - 2%

soil moisture sensors - 9%

Scheduling service - 8%

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/index.htm

Fine sandy loam 25-50% AW

Soil Water by Hand Feel Method

Fine sandy loam 50-75% AW

Fine sandy loam 75-100%

Granular Matrix Block

WATERMARKSOIL WATER SENSOR

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

12”

12”

12”

Soil Depth Intervals

Insertion Hole

Chisel Slot16” 6”

18”

42”

30”

12”

Hansen AM400 DataloggerData Logger

- 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/irrig

ation-pumping-plant-efficiency– http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae122– http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/ev

ans/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

Some water is re-pumped and re-pressurized

Worn sealInternal leakage

Worn Impellers

Enclosed Impeller

Open 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 EnergyItem 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/livestock-watering-systems-energy-efficiency-checklist-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 DayExtension Associate – Energydaydr@missouri.edu573-823-1570