ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSESSMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1020128
• Project Start Date: Sep 1, 2019
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2024
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824

Performing Department
Biosystems & Agric Engineering

Non Technical Summary
To meet the overall objectives of this project involves continuation of the past agricultural production and rural business energyaudit efforts as well as testing of new methods and expanded operational areas to meet basic needs of agricultural producers inan energy efficient manner. Unfortunately, recent funding restrictions by USDA-REAP only allows for funding assistance foreither energy audits or renewable energy assessments and not both. Hence, this effort will only focus on energy audits and notbe conducting renewable energy assessments for Michigan agricultural producers and rural businesses. Two areas whereconsiderable energy is expended is for dairy milking operation water heating, and a technique for milking cow length of daycontrol known as long-day lighting. There is considerable interest in solar assist to dairy milking system water heating as well aslong-day lighting. Effective systems for both have been developed and are ready for field testing to determine if they are costeffective with a recommended payback of not over five years. It is also planned to examine on-farm as well as food andagricultural product processing facilities for overall efficient energy use as well as resource management such as water use andwaste product and energy utilization.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

0%

Applied

100%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
402	5399	2020	100%

Knowledge Area
402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
5399 - Structures, facilities, and equipment, general/other;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering;

Keywords

energy audit

solar water heating

long day lighting

greenhouse energy

dairy energy use

light harvesting for agricultural applications

Goals / Objectives
The primary goal of this project is to identify operational energy conservation strategies to increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve sustainability in the production and processing of agricultural and food products as well as provide assistance in assessing the potential for renewable energy production at agricultural operations. Previous research and outreach activities have proven successful in identifying cost effective energy conservation measures (ECMs) in agricultural production and rural business operations. These measures are site and operation specific that aim to reduce energy waste within each operation's strategic plans. What is needed is an accessible, affordable and credible methodology that is available to agricultural operaors to evaluate least-cost energy ECMs to achieve desired production. Producers are also asking for comparisons of on-site energy use, to target values that can be achieved for a given production level (i.e. dairy long-day-lighting, large motor options under single-phase electric service, and, system changes that are necessary to move in the direction of least energy input to achieve the desired production target.) It is important to closely couple with on-going programs to train, certify, and support farm energy auditors. A large data base of energy use on Michigan farms and greenhouse operations has been collected along with methods of operation that can be used as a starting basis for evaluation of least-cost energy conservation measures and practices. Additional evaluations to determine adoption rate for energy saving recommendations and to determine obstacles to adoption which is a necessary step at gaining acceptance of new more energy efficient technologies and techniques is needed. There is a lack of reliable field data for agricultural operations as well as educational demonstration farms to serve as proof of concept and outreach sites for energy efficiency, renewable energy systems as well as new alternative means for accomplishing agricultural tasks. Light emitting diode lighting and control systems have advanced to withstand the extreme conditions of Michigan dairy farms. A dairy cow lighting system called "long day lighting" is gaining popularity in Michigan where milking cows are provided a minimum 15-20 foot candles of light for 16 hours and darkness of less than 2 foot candles the remainder of the day. The energy audits conducted on dairy farms have provided an opportunity to observe what dairy operators perceive to be long day lighting, however, stated criteria are generally not being met. Light emitting diode luminaires provide an opportunity to control the illumination level to adjust for the widely changing Michigan conditions.

Project Methods
With high energy prices, and Michigan facing the highest electric rates in the Midwest, it is essential for Michigan's agricultural industry to take advantage of every opportunity to lower operating costs. Alternative energy and energy efficiency options have shown potential in lowering operating costs. Adoption of alternative energy and energy efficiency options for Michigan farms have lagged behind other states partially due to unavailability of prototype examples and data to support adoption decisions. A Michigan dairy industry survey identified adopting alternative energy technologies as a means of improving production efficiencies as a signaificant issue for the viability of the Michigan dairy industry. A long term evaluation of farm based solar photopoltaic systems will be conducted. Monitoring of selected farm energy demonstration pilot farms that have installed solar photovoltaic systems will be conducted to develop and annually update case studies that document decision making factors, issues encountered, acutal energy production as compared to projected production, energy investment and tax policy impacts, system physical deterioration, and the overall experience of the operator. Agricultural environment applications of LED sources and controls to determine specifications and installation recommendations. Specifically lighting control systems incorporating auto adjusting lighting sensing and processing that provides adjustable controls of poly chromatic luminaires for photo period long day lighting (LDL). Lighting periods, energy consumption, plus historical energy consumption data will be recorded. Photo sensors mounted in selected locations measure the illumination both inside and outside a facility to maximize natural light harvasting. A data acquisition system will be programmed to control indiviatual operation of each lighting module (LED luminaire) based on photo sensor data as well as control the 16 hour light and 8 hour dark periods required for dairy long day lighting applications. This aspect of the project focuses on detecting and measuring light solely in the normal human visible spectrum. Studies suggest that light sources for bovince and poultry should be focused in the blue and yellow-orange regions of the visible spectrum. LED sources are ideal for this application. Typical illumination meters for commercial use gather light across the complete sepectum from violet to red. Direct solar heating of water for agricultural applications is another project in progress. Effectiveness of an actual diary farm solar water heating system will be monitored in terms of energy savings derived from the current hot water and cooling system heat recovery, length of porject payback and capacity of the system to maintain sanitation levels with adequate hot water supply at the desired temperature. Testing is being evaluated with direct water heating type solar collectors as well as secondary heating using heat exchange from glycol to the potable water. In Michigan there is potential for solar applications since there is an average of four sun hours each day. This project will also monitor activities of the Michigan Farm Energy Porgram which trains agricultural energy auditors and evaluates the accuracy of agricultural energy audits conducted. Data will continue to be collected and added to now an expansive data base that demonstrates the savings that can be achieved for a variety of Midwest agricultural operations.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:• Michigan agricultural producers, processors, and rural businesses • Agricultural organizations and commodity groups • Energy Policy/Program developers, administrators and implementors • Agricultural energy educational programs and funding entities • Outreach and MSU Extension program managers and educators • Michigan Utility's agricultural energy programs Changes/Problems:Stable and consistent support for institutionalizing the project and it's expansion efforts has improved slightly but is still substantially lacking. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?• 1 energy auditor training update conducted on-line. • 4 Energy efficiency and renewable energy information meetings with farmers, rural businesses and funding entities (USDA REAP and NRCS, Utilities, MI Saves) jointly conducted with MSU Extension. • 2 Information/Educational presentations to industry leaders and energy groups. • 2 farm field day event (Various Greenhouses) • Energy Greenhouse Webinar. • Contributed and development energy efficiency materials for "The Beginning Farmer and Rancher" poject coordinated by Penn State University. • Stray voltage training being developed into an on-line format as well as developing field training component. • Provided two 15 hour courses to train all electricians that work for MSU and contractors so they could be re-licensed for 2020. Michigan required every licensed electrician to take such a course to become licensed the year following the Code change. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated to interested groups through reports and by presentations to stakeholder groups and presentations at the American Society of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineers (ASABE). Collaborative efforts with MSU Extension Educators and getting them involved with our activities has expanded dissemination efforts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continuation of present projects and submitting for grants to expand into areas of post harvert energy management and food processing including water conservation issues.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? • Continued cooperation among the agricultural sector and utilities that has led to agricultural specific energy efficiency programs, three-phase expansion cost reduction, natural gas cost expansion reduction, demand rate cost reduction, webinars and seminars through MSU Extension, information dissemination, over 40 agricultural Michigan energy measure database (MEMD) included and the elimination of energy efficiency access restriction on residential farms. • Currently every major utility in Michigan has established an agricultural energy efficiency program and allocated funds specifically for agricultural operations as a result of our efforts. This includes rebates for farm energy audits available only to audits conducted by auditors certified by our program. • 20 Farm Energy Audits, 1,995,109 kWh equivalent to 45,418 MMBTU. Total of $400,885 potential annual savings. • 9 Renewable Energy Assessments, 173,742 kWh capacity and $20,849 potential annual savings. • 3 Michigan Fish Hatchery energy audits completed and presented, 1,002,749 kWh equivalent and 291.3 MMBTU for a total potential annual savings of $80,724 (Oden State Fish Hatchery, Thomson State Fish Hatchery & Marquette State Fish Hatchery). • USDA-REAP Energy Audit Grant Award - $100,000 • Continued monitoring and updating papers/case studies of previous Energy Pilot Farms • MSU is the only academic institution in the US that has an operating program that trains, certifies and provides technical support for ASABE/ANSI certified farm energy auditors. • Auditors trained and certified in our program are taking the lead in Wisconsin (Focus on Energy), Indiana (Purdue University), and Nebraska (University of Nebraska). • Only State that has developed energy indices for dairy, greenhouse, irrigation, tree fruit packing/storage, maple syrup and grain drying operations.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Van Zweden, B., Thomas, A., Go, A., & T. Surbrook, Expanded LED benefits through an automated long day lighting system at a 3x milking dairy farm, Paper presented at the 2019 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: 2020 ACEEE Rural Energy Conference Presenter, Chicago, Illinois February 25, 2020
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Saginaw Bay Watershed Conservation and Learn Series: On-Farm Energy Efficiency Presenter, Bay City, MI January 7, 2020

Progress 09/01/19 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Auditors trained and certified by the program informed of continuation of agricultural production and rural business energy audit efforts. Renewable energy assessment reports for USDA-REAP program will not be formally continued but we will still provide technical assistance. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Lead developer for informational videos on energy audits, long-day-lighting for dairy and LED greenhouse selection for beginning farmers with Penn State University's BFARD project.

Publications