Power play

There are a number of ways to keep rising energy costs from nibbling away your profits. Some are simple and can be implemented in a matter of days. Others are more complex and require a significant investment on the front end.

Major energy savings can usually be achieved with a simple walkthrough audit, said John Bartok, agricultural engineer and emeritus extension professor at the University of Connecticut.

A walkthrough audit will identify losses due to infiltration and areas where insulation can be beneficial. It can also point out maintenance to heating, cooling and control systems that should be done.

Comparisons of fuel and electricity use from year to year are also beneficial in that they can identify the energy/demand rate structure. For example, adjusting the controls on a fan cooling system can reduce the electricity demand and save considerable cost. Energy-conservation measures have a shorter payback than installing an alternate energy system. For most energy-conserving measures the payback is usually less than two years.

Another option is considering alternative energy. There are several choices when it comes to alternative energy sources. Wind and solar may come to mind first, but there are other sources available to growers. Alternative energy requires a sizeable capital investment. Before you investigate these options, make sure your operation is as efficient as possible.

Wind power. Wind turbines harness air currents and convert them to emissions-free power. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy from wind into mechanical power that runs a generator.

Plentiful and inexhaustible in the United States and around the world, wind power is one of the fastest growing renewable technologies. Find out more about wind power, including wind maps at www.windpoweringamerica.gov.

Solar power. Solar energy is a vast and inexhaustible resource. Just 20 days of sunshine contains more energy than the world’s entire supply of coal, oil and natural gas.

A range of technologies is used to convert the sun’s energy into electricity, including solar collectors and photovoltaic panels. Check out the Solar Energy Industries Association for details on this type of power at www.seia.org.

Biomass. Biomass—plant material and animal waste—is one of the oldest sources of renewable energy, used since our ancestors learned the secret of fire. Now we have the technology to efficiently convert it to electricity.

Common biomass types include wood, paper, yard clippings, agricultural residues, switch grass and animal waste. Learn more about biomass from the Department of Energy at www1.eere.energy.gov/bioenergy.

Geothermal. Heat from the earth can be used as an energy source in many ways, from large and complex power stations to small and relatively simple residential pumping systems. At the nursery, the most common geothermal technology is using a geothermal heat pump to heat or cool spaces.

Unlike wind or solar, which are largely dependent on temperature and climate, the temperature a few feet below the earth’s surface is relatively constant despite major fluctuations in the air temperature. Look to the DOE for more information at http://energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources/renewable-energy/geothermal.