Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
As a tropical island, Puerto Rico, and other subtropical regions face heat stress as a great challenge for agriculture and animal production. Cattle exposed to elevated temperature and humidity show signs of stress in their animal behavior, and may present a decreased in production and express reproductive issues. To address this and find potential solutions to animal physiological issues that can turn into decreased economic viability, researchers continue to select heat tolerant animals and study their reproduction system and patterns. The AES at Gurabo, in cooperation with the State Department of Agriculture (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico), with an investment of $750,000 has established the Tropical Animal Reproduction and Investigation Center (TARIC). TARIC is currently being set up to study Slick Holstein cattle and to produce genetic material (semen and embryos) to sell to local farmers. This center has equipment that at some instances may run 24/7 for sample analysis and, long-term, for embryo production. When power outages occur, sensitive samples are damaged or lost resulting in increased experimental and/or genetic material production costs and limiting the ability for researchers to store samples and laboratory materials along with their ability to run an experiment for data production. Monetary losses as a result of these power outages may average $3,000-$5,000 per experimental run (including, but not limited to, sensitive materials, animal per diem costs, personnel driving to experimental site, sample processing and storage). Further, three to five days of working logistics and planning the experiment are also lost when experiments have to be repeated. The rationale of the proposed project is that a sustainable power source, such as a solar energy system, for TARIC will provide a solution that can be used to develop data to improve animal performance during heat stress. This in turn will also open opportunities for ongoing research on the Slick Holstein cattle, improve the opportunity for the TARIC to be a self-sustainable laboratory and decrease electricity costs. This proposal objectives are congruent with presented program intention to acquire relevant equipment necessary for conducting and supporting tropical research, and to broaden opportunities for students to participate and collaborate with our Land-Grant Institution. This proposed project is important for AES-Gurabo because, if approved, it will significantly improve the research facilities in short and long term. Results of the proposed work will allow us to continue executing research at lower costs for the institution and without the concerns of losing our experimental data, samples and other research materials. Moreover, this will also allow us to expand our research collaborations with other agricultural research and education institutions and producers. Efforts of this proposal targets scientists and personnel in animal production, welfare, and management.
Animal Health Component
90%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
90%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
It is our main objective to:Install solar panels and a battery system as a source of renewable energy with minimal impact to the environment.Provide researchers and students at AES-Gurabo and TARIC with the ideal conditions that will allow them to continue research projects and generate data and results without the interruptions and the negative impact caused by the power outages.
Project Methods
The proposed project does not require experimental procedures nor methodology. In general, this project mostly requires coordination and logistics arranged by the project director and administrative processing. The first step to be completed is to hire an electrician to complete a study of charge which is the evaluation of the amount of energy that is used in total if all the equipment were to be running at a given time. This will determine the number of solar panels that need to be included and the number of batteries that are required by the facilities if it were to be functioning entirely via the renewable energy system and independent of the electrical power. With this information green energy experts can visit and evaluate the facilities and give us the estimated costs for the system. After three to five quotes are available, the project director will select and submit to the administrative office the company of choice to set up the purchase order. Finally, the company will purchase required materials and set up the system. The goal is that towards the end of year 2 and beginning of year 3 the solar energy system is fully functional. This proposal has a high likelihood of success because it involves contacting companies who are experts in installing solar energy systems. As a less expensive alternative for a short-term solution, a diesel power generator is being considered to support the current electrical system.We are currently consulting with an electrician who has worked at the AES a number of times to secure the study of charge, an Agricultural Extension Agent who specializes in renewable energy systems for farmers and a green energy and fuels company to identify the most optimal system for the facilities. Regardless of the system selected, it will be secured in an isolated area with "no trespassing", "authorized personnel only", "high voltage", and "no smoking" signs to minimize risks. Further, the area will be fenced to avoid accidents with animals and include a fire extinguisher in case of short circuits. These batteries and solar panel systems include a security system (redundant breakers) that shut down in case of a short circuit or a power over charge, and a main switch that can be shut down manually if needed. In case of an emergency these are available to minimize and/or manage risks.