Slaying the Energy Cost Dragon
Mike Morris
National Center for Appropriate Technology
About the National Center for Appropriate Technology (www.ncat.org)
• National nonprofit organization that loves to collaborate with grassroots groups.
• Programs: sustainable agriculture and sustainable energy.
• Offices in MT, AR, CA, IA, LA, PA.
• Since 1987 NCAT has run ATTRA: the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
What is appropriate technology?
• Fits local conditions
• Inexpensive, small-scale, simple to use
• Made from local materials
• Does not deplete natural resources
• Builds self-reliance
The Small Farm Energy Project (1976-1983)
“Small family farmers are directly threatened by large-scale
mechanization developed in an era of cheap energy…The energy crisis
is an economic opportunity for America’s small family farmers…The
small family farmer can demonstrate that skill and resourcefulness is
once again at a premium in agriculture.”
Edgar Wuebben Farm, Cedar County, NE
• Solar grain dryer made from recycled sheet metal.
• Total cost (in 1980) $200.
• 200 square foot solar vertical wall made from plywood, corrugated metal spray painted black.
• Total cost (in 1980) $700.
• Solar food dryer and window box made from 2x2 framing, plywood, old window glass, nylon window screening.
• Total cost (in 1980) $40.
Energy Conservation & Efficiency
Whispering Sands Poultry FarmUnion Springs, AL
Heating (propane)
29%
Water20%
Fans (electric)32%
Lighting (electric)
4%
Gasoline + diesel15%
$56,000 per year
• Clean fans and shutters.
• Reprogram tunnel fans so most efficient fans turn on first and run longest.
• Install migration barriers.
• Discuss billing rate options with Alabama Power.
No cost – low cost recommendations
• Tighten the houses to reduce air leakage.
• Convert lighting to compact fluorescent or LED. Cost $350 to $925 per house, payback less than 1 year
Other recommendations
• Install circulation fans to de-stratify air. Cost $2400, payback 1.2 to 4 years.
• Install curtains to keep air flow lower, at bird level.
• Consider replacing forced air heaters & brooders with radiant tube heating.
Cherry Research Farm Goldsboro, NC
• 21 energy conservation opportunities worth $6,000 per year
• Potential 22% reduction in electricity and propane cost.
How Cherry Farm Uses Energy(billions of Btus)
7 billion Btu
$100,000 per year
Dairy
• Heat reclamation
• Water cooled condensing
• Time control on parlor heaters
• Insulate water heater tank
• Est. savings $2300 per year
Grain bins/ Hammer mill/ Feed process
• Schedule material handling to reduce demand charges
• Est. savings $1061 / year
Do-it-Yourself Energy Audits
Farm Energy Calculators
Irrigation Efficiency
The AM400 Soil Moisture MonitorCost $500-$700
Renewable Energy
camelina4,000 acres of organic grain
5-7% of acreage could meet all fuel needs
Bob Quinn, Big Sandy, MT
$4.38 per gallon after 3 years
Thad Doye, Walters, OK
Ballard Ranch, Lavina, MT• 100 cow-calf pairs
• 1.5 miles from power; $30k for line extension
• Four 80-Watt solar panels
• 5 GPM from 60’ well or2,000-3,000 GPD in summer
• Cost of solar components: $5,500
Tomlinson Ranch, Gold Creek, MT
• 25 cow-calf pairs; 2-3 miles from power
• Two 120-Watt solar panels
• 1 GPM from 160’ well or 900 GPD
• Cost of solar components: $3,200
Hirsch Ranch Racetrack, MT
• 36 cow-calf pairs; 1/3 mile from power
• Two 64-Watt solar panels
• 3.5 GPM from 10’ well or 2,800 GPD
• Cost of solar components: $2,400
Live Earth Farms, Watsonville, CA
• 15 KW PV array meets 80% of farm needs
• Installed cost approx. $90,000 (after incentives)
• Solar food dryer cost approx. $7,000
Cherry Research Farm, Goldsboro, NC
• Renewable energy or energy efficiency improvements.
• All rural small businesses are eligible – not just farms.
• Funding has more than doubled from $115 million (2002) to $225 million (2008).
• Grants – up to 25% of eligible project costs
• Guaranteed loans – up to 50% of eligible project costs.
• Energy audit required for large energy efficiency projects (total project cost > $200,000).
Rural Energy for America Program
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Alabama 0 1 0 2 0 3
Arkansas 0 0 0 0 1 4
Florida 0 0 0 1 0 0
Georgia 0 0 1 0 3 44
Iowa 9 7 37 51 55 86
Kentucky 0 0 0 0 0 5
Louisiana 0 0 1 0 1 5
Minnesota 22 25 18 32 21 53
Mississippi 5 42 3 21 26 18
Nebraska 6 15 37 151 102 170
North Carolina 1 0 3 1 18 37
South Carolina 1 0 1 4 1 6
Tennessee 0 0 1 5 1 10
Virginia 1 2 0 0 2 1
Successful Proposals to 9006/REAP
ATTRA www.attra.org
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
800-346-9140 (English), 800-411-3222 (Spanish)
New area in the ATTRA website: www.attra.org/energy
A new search tool: www.attra.org/farmenergysearchtool
NCAT: www.ncat.org or 1-800-ASK-NCAT
ATTRA: www.attra.org or 1-800-346-9140
Farm Energy resources:
www.attra.org/energy
THANK YOU!
For more information: