Goal:
Target savings of 1,000,000 kWh savings to agricultural producers/HEC end users on wheel line and center pivot irrigation systems.
Program overview:
The Agricultural Energy Efficiency program targets irrigators within the Harney Electric Cooperative (HEC) service areas of Harney County, Oregon and Humboldt County, Nevada. The program is designed to provide irrigation water management practices like replacement of sprinklers, nozzles, and other hardware on existing irrigation systems. Another popular component of the programs is cost share on Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs ). A VFD is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the electric motor. The installation typically results in a large economic savings to the producer as well as significant energy delivery savings to the cooperative.
Future areas of growth:
Future areas of growth will focus on irrigation water management practices located within the Oregon Water Resources identified critical groundwater areas of Harney County.
Natural Resource Concerns associated with Agricultural Energy Efficiency:
- Aquifer depletion
- Soil erosion
- Nutrient management
Agricultural Energy Efficiency Program Objectives:
- Energy conservation to help save fuel, improve efficiency of water use, maintain production, and protect soil and water resources by more efficiently using fertilizers and pesticides