Why Do We Care About Energy? For the best viewing, press the F11 key on the keyboard.

Why Do We Care About Energy?

For the best viewing, press the F11 key on the keyboard

22

IntroductionIntroduction

Welcome

This course will explain why energy

issues are relevant and important to

agriculture, the nation, and NRCS.

It will take approximately 30

minutes for you to complete this

course. There will be an

assessment test offered at the

completion of the course. NRCS

employees must score 80% or

higher on the assessment to pass.

33


Getting Started

Audio On/Off

Attachments

Play/Pause

Go to Previous or Next Slide

Full Screen On/Off

Outline: Allows you to quickly find pages by topic/title. Click on a menu item to jump to that slide.

Thumbnails: Lets you see a thumbnail-sized picture of each page.

Notes:Contains the complete audio script (especially useful for hearing impaired users).

Search: Allows you to quickly find topics by searching for a key word. Click on the results to pages that include that information.

Outline: Allows you to quickly find pages by topic/title. Click on a menu item to jump to that slide.

Thumbnails: Lets you see a thumbnail-sized picture of each page.

Notes:Contains the complete audio script (especially useful for hearing impaired users).

Search: Allows you to quickly find topics by searching for a key word. Click on the results to pages that include that information.

The text in the instruction boxes is now easier to read, but the text in the menus is still almost impossible to read.

44


Intended AudiencesThe course is designed for NRCS

employees:

● State Energy Contacts

● Newly hired field personnel

● Employees with field experience, but

who are not yet comfortable with

energy issues

In certain circumstances, the course may

also be offered to:

● Extension service providers

● Conservation district employees

● Individual producers

● Environmental groups

● Technical service providers

● Partnering organizations

55


Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, you will

be able to:

● Describe land managers’ concerns

with energy costs and energy

security,

● Describe environmental impacts of

fossil fuel exploration, production

and use

● Describe the energy opportunities

that are available to land managers

and NRCS

66


Purpose of This Course

Energy is a hot topic. Shortages of oil, energy security issues, climate change, and the high costs of energy make energy efficiency and production some of the most significant issues facing the world today.

Energy is a new area for NRCS. Though not a resource concern, an adequate energy supply is one of NRCS’ strategic goals.

Module 1:Energy and Agriculture

88

Module 1: Energy and AgricultureModule 1: Energy and Agriculture

Agriculture’s Role in Energy

In this module, an introduction to

the reasons we are concerned

about energy will be discussed.

When you finish this module you

should be able to:

● Identify the source and

magnitude of the earth’s

energy

● Describe energy’s role in plant

and animal production

● Describe recent and historic

trends in agriculture’s use of

energy

99


Life’s Little Necessities

What are the necessities for life?

● Food

● Water

● Shelter

● Air

● Clothing

and of course…

● Energy

1010


Energy Cycle

Without the heat and light of

the sun, life as we know it

could not exist on earth. Solar

energy is used by plants and

transformed into plant biomass

through the process of

photosynthesis.

Energy from the sun also

enables the convection

currents (energy of moving air)

and is the source of energy for

the water cycle.

1111


Energy Cycle

The earth, atmosphere and ocean system can be thought of as a giant engine that takes energy from the sun, converts to a variety of other forms, and then releases it back into space. The sun provides more than a hundred billion times more power than we use.

All the food we eat, clothes we wear, wood we build with, and fossil fuels we use are products of photosynthesis.

Note: I deleted some text here.

1212


Solar Energy to Biomass

Agriculture and forestry are

integral players in the

energy cycle. Agricultural

crops and forest plants

capture solar energy and

transform it into plant

biomass.

Biomass can be used to

feed livestock and people,

and alternative forms of

energy such as

bioelectricity, ethanol and

biodiesel.

1313


Increased Efficiency

Agriculture’s ability to help turn the sun’s energy into biomass has become

increasingly efficient over the last 70 years thanks to genetic

improvements and biotechnology. However, the cost and amount of inputs

needed to produce high yielding agricultural crops has also increased.

1414


Real Energy Costs for Land Managers

Energy-related expenditures including

electricity, fuels and lubricants, and

fertilizers and pesticides make up an

important share of total agricultural

production expenses.

In 2005 about 14% of farming

production costs were energy

related:

● Fuel 5.8%

● Electricity 1.7%

● Fertilizer 6.5%

Energy related expenditures have

continued to increase.

The graph needs a label on the y-axis and a title. Flash should correspond with text.

1515


Energy Costs and Availability

In this video clip you will hear from a

producer who is concerned with

energy costs and availabilityand availability.

Press the to watch the video.

1616


Quiz 1

Correct - Click anywhere to continue


You answered this correctly!


Your answer:Your answer:

The correct answer is:The correct answer is:

Submit Clear

You did not answer this question completely

You did not answer this question completelyThat is incorrect. The

correct answer is B Sun.That is incorrect. The



correct answer is B Sun.

What is the original source for the majority of energy on earth?

A) Fossil Fuels

B) Sun

C) Biomass

D) Electricity

1717


Quiz 2



That is incorrect. 100 billion times more

energy is produced by the sun than is used

produced in an electric plant.

That is incorrect. 100 billion times more

energy is produced by the sun than is used

produced in an electric plant.







Submit Clear

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blanks.

plant. more energy than is produced in an electric

The sun provides

Suggested text: “The sun provides more than_____ times more power than we use.” (might make this a multiple choice, also)

1818


Quiz 3



Incorrect - Click anywhere to continue








Submit Clear

What do agricultural crops and forest plants transform captured solar energy into?

That is incorrect. The correct answer is C-Plant

Biomass.


Biomass.


Biomass.


Biomass.


Biomass.


Biomass.

A) Row CropsB) CommoditiesC) Plant Biomass

D) Cash Crops

Module 2:Fossil Fuels

2020

Module 2: Fossil FuelsModule 2: Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels Concerns

In this module, you will learn about

concerns with energy costs and

security and why these issues have

arisen. At the end of this module you

will be able to:

● List reasons why fossil fuel

energy costs are increasing

● Describe national concern with

energy security and why energy

security is a concern

● Describe the components of

agriculture that are dependent

on fossil fuels

Note: the first objective listed was also an objective for Module 1. We don’t need it twice.

2121


Fossil Fuels

• Include coal, natural gas, and

petroleum products (such as oil)

formed from the decayed bodies of

animals and plant that died

millions of years ago

• Are non-renewable resources

because they take millions of year

to form, and the reserves are being

depleted much faster than new

ones are being formed

• Burning is considered to be a major

cause of global warming

2222


The Demand for Oil

World Demand

● In 1994, the world demand for oil was thought to have peaked at 66 – 68 million barrels per day (MMB/D)

● Instead, it grew to over 88 MMB/D by early 2008 and continues to rise, despite a 10-fold rise in oil prices

● Improved living standards for the 2.4 billion people in China and India are rapidly increasing their demand for energy

2323


The Demand for OilUnited States Demand

• United States has only 5% of the world’s population, yet we

currently consume 25% of the world’s oil

• Americans consume 1.5 times more oil than they produce

• U.S. oil consumption is at record breaking levels - 20.7 million barrels per

day

Last pie Title: Where U.S. Oil comes from.

should be US 40% and 60% from the rest of the worldHard for them to read

2424


The Supply of Oil

World Supply

● Oil supplies set all-time

record in May 2005

● Since then, supply has

“flattened”

● Stocks (usable inventories)

have shrunk in many places

U.S. Supply

● U.S. production peaked in

1971

● A significant portion of the

oil we import comes 60% oil 60% oil

is imported into the U.Sis imported into the U.S.

from countries which are

politically unstable

2525


Fossil Fuel Trends In Agriculture

There needs to be an Agriculture component in this module if we are going to

keep the first bullet on the objectives

● Describe recent and historic trends in agriculture’s use of energy

2626


Agriculture’s Reliance on Fossil Fuels

ItemItem PercentPercent ExamplesExamples Type of Type of

Fossil Fuel(s)Fossil Fuel(s)

Diesel/Gas ~ 36 % Planting, tilling, and Oil

harvesting crops

Fertilizers ~ 29 % Product manufacture Natural

Gas/Oil

Electricity ~ 21 % Pumping, lighting, Coal/

Natural Gas cooling

Pesticides ~ 6 % Product manufacture

Oil/Natural Gas

2727


Item Examples

Type of

Fossil

Fuel(s) Used

Percent of

Energy Use

Diesel/Gas Planting, tilling, and

harvesting crops

Oil 36%

Fertilizers Product

manufactureNatural Gas/Oil 29%

Electricity Pumping, lighting,

cooling

Coal/Natural

Gas

21%

Pesticides Product

manufacture

Oil/Natural Gas 6%

Agriculture’s Reliance on Fossil Fuels

Percent of Fossil Fuels Used In Agriculture

Total = 92%

2828


Quiz 4

Submit Clear

How can we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels?

There are many reasons for breaking our

dependency on foreign oil. Some reasons you may have thought of

include stabilizing cost of fuel and other farm inputs, reducing the

amount of money spent outside of our borders, and better control on

supply.





supply.





supply.





supply.

There are many ways to reduce our reliance on

fossil fuels. Some reasons you may have

thought of include greater use of renewable energy sources and the

use of more efficient equipment and

machinery.

There are many ways to reduce our reliance on

fossil fuels. Some reasons you may have

thought of include greater use of renewable energy sources and the

use of more efficient equipment and

machinery.





2929


Quiz 5









Submit Clear



The United States is currently consuming 25% of the world’s oil when the U.S. is only 5% of the population.

A) True

B) False

3030


Quiz 6



Incorrect – The correct answer is 3 percent.

Incorrect – The correct answer is 3 percent.







Submit Clear


By 2005, 14 percent of farm expenditures were used for energy-related production inputs, a increase from a relatively stable period

between 1980 to1999.

Module 3:Environmental Impacts of

Fossil Fuels

3232

Module 3: Environmental Impacts of Fossil FuelsModule 3: Environmental Impacts of Fossil Fuels

Environmental Impacts

At the completion of this module,

you will be able to:

● Describe the negative effects to

the environment caused by

fossil fuel production and

combustion

● Describe how any activity that

avoids fossil fuel usage reduces

carbon emissions

● Determine if conservation

practices designed to improve

soil, water or air quality may

also reduce fossil fuel use

3333


Energy and Climate ChangeThe biggest factor of present concern is the increase in atmospheric levels of

carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases due to emissions from fossil

fuel combustion. Other factors, including land use, ozone depletion, and

deforestation also impact climate change.

Click on each of the tabs below to see how much CO2 is emitted from gas and

diesel vehicles.

The “gas” tab is already active when the page is opened, so it doesn’t coincide with the text. It would be better to have a third tab, “intro” that appears when the page is opened and corresponds with the audio. The user could then click on the other tabs as instructed.

3434


Effects on Climate ChangeIn computer-based models, rising concentrations of greenhouse gases

generally produce an increase in the average temperature of the earth.

Rising temperatures may produce changes in land use patterns, sea level,

and long-term weather patterns, commonly referred to as “climate change.” In the U.S., our greenhouse gas

emissions come mostly from

energy use. Energy-related

carbon dioxide emissions,

resulting from petroleum, coal,

and natural gas, represent 82

percent of total U.S. human-

made greenhouse gas

emissions.

The graphic is difficult to read, I.e., the white doesn’t show up well on the orange, and the text is too small, especially the sub-text.

3535


Other Environmental Impacts

Coal mining methods often disturb large

areas of land, raising environmental

challenges, such as soil erosion, dust,

noise, water pollution and reduced

biodiversity. Offshore oil drilling poses a

hazards to aquatic organisms.

Oil refineries can also contribute to air

and water pollution.

Transportation of coal requires the use of

diesel-powered locomotives, while crude

oil is typically transported by tanker

ships, each of which requires the

combustion of additional fossil fuels.

3636


Reducing Carbon Emissions

Reduction of Fossil Fuel Use = Reduction of Carbon Emissions

The simplest way to reduce carbon emissions

is to minimize the threats we can manage.

We can slow down the rate of emissions

by reducing demand and/or by utilizing

alternatives to fossil fuels. Any time fossil

fuels are not needed or an alternative to

fossil fuels can be used, some carbon that

would have been released to the atmosphere

is avoided. Actions as simple as walking to

the field instead of driving the truck can help

reduce carbon emissions.

3737


Quiz 7

Submit Clear

What are other ways producers can reduce carbon emissions?

There are many different ways producers can

reduce carbon emissions. A few of

them include turning off running tractors, using

more fuel efficient trucks and tractors, or utilizing precision farming tools.

























3838


Collateral Effect

Many decisions land managers make

to conserve the land, water and air

through no-tillthrough no-till ultimately reduce the

amount of fossil fuels used. While

the land manager may have made

the decision to implement

conservation practices such as no-till,

or nutrient, or pesticide

management due to financial or

conservation incentives, a collateral

effect is created that has now

reduced the amount of fuel used to

run the tractor, manufacture

nutrients and create pesticides.

3939


Using Energy Effectively

Energy saving practices can be used Energy saving practices can be used

in various aspects of our lives. As in various aspects of our lives. As

NRCS employees you have seen NRCS employees you have seen

energy efficient practices first handenergy efficient practices first hand.

In this video you will hear from an

NRCS employee who has first hand

experience with land manager

concerns with energy and some of

the things they can do to reduce their

costs while at the same time

protecting other natural resources.

Press the to watch the video.

4040


Quiz 8











Submit

What is the main source of concern for the increase in carbon levels?

Clear

The burning of Fossil Fuels is

the main source of greenhouse

gases and carbon emissions.










The burning of Fossil Fuels is the

main source of greenhouse


The burning of Fossil Fuels is the

main source of greenhouse


A) Livestock ProductionB) Burning of Fossil FuelsC) Increasing PopulationD) Deforestation

4141


Quiz 9

changes in land use patterns, sea level, and long-term weather patterns resulting from global temperature rise.

is the term that refers to











Submit Clear


Module 4:Energy Opportunities

4343

Module 4: Energy OpportunitiesModule 4: Energy Opportunities

OverviewAt the completion of this module you

will be able to:

● Help producers identify methods

to move from being energy

dependent to energy efficient

● Give suggestions to land managers

to better manage energy use on

their farm and ranch operation with

conservation in mind

● Make land managers aware of

carbon trading opportunities

4444


Agricultural Energy Opportunities

Efficiency GainsBiofuels

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

2007 2012 2017 2022

Renewable Biofuel Standards

Bill

ions

of

Gallo

ns

I was hoping we could redraw the conservation graph to make the origin 0 instead of 0.8, so it looks like we have a ways to go with respect to energy conservation.

4545


Energy Saving Opportunities• Switching from older, inefficient engines to newer, more fuel efficient

engines

• Maintaining pumps, fans and motors for optimal performance

• Adopting conservation tillage practices

○ Conserves soil moisture and nutrients (lowering the need for

commercial fertilizers and irrigation water)

○ Prolongs the useful life of tractors and equipment.

• Utilizing intensive grazing systems where appropriate

for animal production

• Creating new and more energy efficient methods of crop

drying and irrigation

• Reducing inputs through precision farming

4646


Ways to Use Renewable Energy

Not only can farms use fossil fuel energy more efficiently, but

farms can become energy independent by utilizing water,

wind, solar and biofuel energy. Learn more about alternative

energy choices and how they can be used in place of traditional

energy sources by clicking on each of the buttons to the left.

4747



BiomassBiomass can be burned to produce electricity or heat, or converted to a biofuel such as ethanol, biodiesel or biogas. Biofuels can beBiofuels can be used to heat used to heat buildingbuildingss, power tractors and/or , power tractors and/or fuel grain dryers or irrigation fuel grain dryers or irrigation systems.systems.

4848



Wind EnergyUseful energy is created by transforming the kinetic energy in wind to mechanical or electrical energy through the use of wind mills and turbine technologies. On-farm wind energy can pump water or provide electricity for farm buildings, milking and irrigation systems.

4949



HydropowerThe energy in moving water can be transformed to more useable forms. Energy produced from water power includes:

• Mechanical energy from water wheels

• Electricity generation

5050



Solar EnergyThe three most common types of solar energy are passive solar, solar thermal and photovoltaic solar. On the farm, solar energy can supply power to light buildings, heat and pump water, dry graindry grain and perform other functions.

5151



Geothermal EnergyGeothermal energy is derived from heat in the earth’s core. Geothermal energy can be used for crop drying,crop drying, hot houses/ greenhouses, aquaculture, and ground source heat pumps.

5252



Geothermal EnergyThere are two major types of geothermal resources. One relies on the relatively stable soil temperature a few feet below the earth’s surface to either heat or cool building spaces or water. The other utilizes the high temperatures found deep below the surface as a power source. Geothermal energy can be used in crop dryingcrop drying hot houses/ greenhouses, aquaculture, and ground source heat pumps.

5353


Carbon Credits

Emerging carbon markets may allow

agricultural producers and landowners

to earn income by storing carbon in

their soil through no-till crop

production, conversion of cropland to

permanent vegetation, sustainable

management of native rangelands,

and tree plantings on previously non-

forested or degraded land.

In addition, the capture of methane

from anaerobic manure digester

systems cancan may also be eligible to

earn carbon credits.

5454


Quiz 10

Submit Clear

What do you see as other resource benefits for producers who participate in carbon credit trading?

There are many answers you could have thought of as benefits. Some of

these may include financial and

environmental.



environmental.



environmental.



environmental.



environmental.



environmental.

Your answer:Your answer:There are many answers you could have thought of as benefits. Some of


environmental.



environmental.


5555


NRCS Role

In order for NRCS employees to be

able to help land managers in their

communities, they must develop a

good understanding of on-farm

energy use, energy conservation

and generation, and the

relationships between energy

conservation and the conservation

of other natural resources. Once

this knowledge is acquired, NRCS

will be able to assist more people to

take advantage of these emerging

opportunities.

5656


Effects of Choices

Leah: We need to change the first pop-up on old equipment to the following:

“Issue: Inefficient field equipment

Solution:

Match tractors to power needs of the task

Maintain equipment according to manufacturer guidelines

Calibrate equipment before use

5757


Quiz 11

Submit Clear

There are many methods or practices you could have written down. Some of these may

include through the use of solar panels,

geothermal heating and cooling, and biofuels.












include solar panels, geothermal heating and

cooling, and biofuels.


include solar panels, geothermal heating and

cooling, and biofuels.

What are a few ways producers can incorporate renewable energy into their production practices?


5858


Quiz 12









Submit Clear

Not only can land managers use fossil fuel energy more efficiently, but farms can become more energy independent through the use of water, air, sun and biofuels.



A) True

B) False

Congratulation

s!You have completed the Why Do We Care About Energy? course.

Now test your understanding by taking the Assessment Test. Successful completion is measured by answering questions at 80% correct rate.

Press the F11 key on the keyboard to return to regular view.

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