Energy - Small Farm Sustainability

Energy - Small Farm Sustainability

Summary

“Energy & Small Farm Sustainability” helps implement energy conservation and renewable energy projects for farms in western Massachusetts. We assist farmers in identifying and implementing cost-effective opportunities to save money, conserve energy, and increase production. We developed a protocol to assess farms for potential renewable energy development. CET identifies strategies to implement renewable energy technologies, including financing. Farm tours highlight how efficiency and renewable energy increase farmers’ profitability. Our initial target is dairy farms and orchards, but we serve other farmers as well.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Of the 56 dairy farms and 16 orchards in the Berkshire area, 25 farms will have an energy efficiency assessment. After receiving an energy assessment, 25 farmers will install efficiency improvements with a 1-year payback; 5-10 farmers will make significant energy efficiency improvements and 3-5 farms will participate in a renewable energy resource assessment, which may require additional monitoring (e.g. wind capacity or sun power). Of those who are evaluated for renewable resource potential, 1-3 farms will install small-scale renewable demonstration projects.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Thus far CET has provided services to 25 farms in the region. CET conducted six more energy efficiency assessments on dairy, goat and vegetable farms for a total of 19 farms served. Six farms installed energy efficient measures with a less than one-year payback, bringing the total to nine. Lowland Farm installed six compact fluorescent lights as did Rawson Brook, River Valley, Howden Farm, Wilder Brook and Jordan Dairy, each saving about $60 a year for an estimated $500 over the lifetime of the bulbs. River Valley Farm in Lenox installed a new programmable thermostat and efficient lighting fixtures, saving another $380 annually. Cricket Creek, a new dairy in Williamstown, is consulting with our utility partner to purchase energy efficient milking and cheese-making equipment. Our utility partner is helping Turner Dairy Farm in Sheffield evaluate whether to install a variable frequency drive and replace a refrigeration compressor with potential savings of $1,492 a year. Shaw Dairy Farm may install efficient lighting for the animal stalls, milking parlor and calf area and improvements in ventilation for a potential savings of over $536 per year, however the process of generational transfer has delayed a decision. Gould Farm in Monterey is deciding whether to install efficient lighting, a stock waterer and outside air assistance for refrigeration with estimated savings of over $1,000 annually.

Renewable Energy: CET researched available incentives for Hawthorne Valley farm in Ghent, NY to help them fund a 19 KW photovoltaic array. CET helped Axtell Brook Farm apply to Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust for assistance to install a residential scale wind turbine. Owners of Hadas Farm attended a wind tour sponsored by CET to learn about wind technology and the potential for wind power on their farm. According to wind maps, their farm has a strong wind resource. CET introduced them to staff at the UMass Renewable Energy Research Lab and two investors who might be interested in developing a wind farm on their land and thus providing the farm with extra income through a lease arrangement. For the Jordan Dairy Farm in Rutland, MA, we worked with David Ludington to conduct a methane digester feasibility study. Without grants for capital investment, methane digestion is still not feasible for small dairies. Dr. Ludington wrote, “An economic analysis was conducted on two scenarios. The first assumes that the electricity generated would meet the needs of the farm while the second scenario assumes the maximum electricity will be generated and excess power will be sold. When using only manure from on farm animals the results were not encouraging…. There were no “breakeven” points when the sale price of compost and electricity were within reasonable rates. There is not enough compost or electricity produced.” When about to leave the farm, David asked if they had a variable frequency drive (VFD). Randy Jordan had misinformation about the cost and the effectiveness of the pump, which David quickly corrected. We are working with our utility partner to see what kind of incentive might be available for installing a VFD there. CET has conducted an initial assessment for a 5 KW photovoltaic system for Gould Farm in Monterey, MA. This system would be connected to the grid and would provide electric power for their new harvest barn. Incentives from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust would reduce the overall cost of the system by about fifty per cent.

We are researching a solar powered drip irrigation system for Howden Pumpkin Farm with UMass Extension’s irrigation expert, John Howell. Foggy River Farm raises organic beef and had an assessment to determine if sufficient wind was available for water pumping and fencing. Chris Kilfoyle reported on a grid-connected photovoltaic and wind system, however the system as envisioned by Rachel Fletcher, farm owner, was going to cost about $100,000 and would have a 70 year payback. Woven Roots Farm is considering solar electric power for a new greenhouse. We are working to determine what size solar system they would need to cover the electric demand and how much it would cost. Wilder Brook Farm, a small CSA in Shelburne Falls, wants to know if a solar drip irrigation system would be economically feasible for some of their fields. We are researching the size pump they would need and what size photovoltaic system would be necessary. John Kelly of Blanford is looking into new wind technology to heat a greenhouse for his vegetable farm. He is negotiating with the developers of this new system and we are keeping in touch to see how we can be helpful.

Even with incentives from utility companies for saving electricity, dairy farms are hard pressed to come up with any cash for improvements when they continue to lose money on milk production. With other farmers (vegetable, cattle, chickens, fruit) finding a good fit for a renewable energy demonstration project is taking longer than we had originally anticipated. CET recently learned that we have federal funding for some renewable energy demonstration projects and we anticipate meeting with the Department of Energy early in 2004 to determine of the scope of work. We are optimistic that this will allow us to help bring down some of the hardware and possibly installation costs for renewable energy demonstration projects on farms. Our experience with this project helped us make the case that cost was the determining factor in limiting farmers’ access to renewable energy.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

CET has provided services to twenty-five farms. Nineteen farms have received an energy assessment. Nine farms installed efficiency measures with less than a one-year payback. Two farms have installed significant efficiency improvements, with four others in process. Three farms received an in-depth renewable energy resource assessment and a solar assessment for the Howden Farm is in process, as is one for Gould Farm. CET provided two farms with financial help as they investigated how to put renewable energy on their farms. CET continues to work with 6 farms to see if a renewable energy demonstration project is possible.

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