Ask the Indiana NRCS Expert: Energy Efficiency
Tackling energy efficiency concerns on your farm can be a daunting task, but experts from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service are here to help. Indiana NRCS Agricultural Engineer Scott Wagner has stopped by the Ask the Expert blog to answer some of the frequently asked questions about energy conservation and help you get started making your farm more energy efficient.
How do I determine if my farm is energy efficient?
The best way to determine if your farm is energy efficient is to have an on-farm energy audit conducted. Financial assistance to offset the cost of an energy audit is available at NRCS, through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) On-Farm Energy Initiative. The energy audit will be completed by a NRCS certified Technical Service Provider (TSP). The TSP will complete the energy audit by following the criteria in the Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) 128, Agricultural Energy Management Plan.
What information would be included in the Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) 128, Agricultural Energy Management Plan?
This plan includes baseline energy use by individual energy systems, with recommendations for energy efficient upgrades. It also includes potential energy reduction recommendations and, very importantly, this plan includes estimated costs for improvements and expected payback for energy efficient upgrades.
OK, I’ve had an on-farm energy audit completed, now what?
Once the on-farm energy audit has been completed, either through NRCS or another qualified provider, eligible producers can apply through the EQIP On-Farm Energy Initiative for the purchase and installation of certain building materials and equipment to improve energy efficiency.
My on-farm energy audit is over 10-year old, am I still eligible for the energy efficient practices?
It depends on your farming operation. If your operation hasn’t changed its baseline energy usage and not implemented any of the energy audit recommendations, then it is still eligible. The costs data in the audit will certainly be out of date, however the recommended energy efficient upgrades should still be valid.
The on-farm energy audit did an excellent job of establishing a baseline for energy efficient upgrades. However, it doesn’t tell me what materials or equipment to install. Can I get assistance on a design for the energy audit recommendations?
Recently, NRCS announced the Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) 136, Agricultural Energy Design Plan. This plan utilizes the recommendations from the NRCS approved energy audit to provide design and installation alternatives. This plan takes the guess work out of what materials or equipment will need to be installed to make your farming operations energy efficient.
What energy conservation practices does Indiana NRCS support?
In Indiana, we offer several energy conservation related practices. These include the Energy Efficient Building Envelope, Energy Efficient Lighting System and Farmstead Energy Improvement conservation practices. The Energy Efficient Building Envelope is modifying or retrofitting the building envelope of existing agricultural buildings. This includes upgrades to the attic and/or wall insulations, along with insulated curtain. The Energy Efficient Lighting System is replacing or retrofitting an agricultural building’s lighting system. This includes upgrades to indoor and outdoor lighting. Finally, the Farmstead Energy Improvement is the development and implementation of improvements to increase energy efficiency on-farm. This includes upgrades to the mechanical systems, such as the heating systems.
Who can I talk to about energy conservation practices on my farm?
For more information about energy conservation practices on your farm, please contact Scott Wagner, Indiana NRCS Agricultural Engineer at: scott.wagner@usda.gov or 317-295-5771; or Tony Bailey, Indiana NRCS State Agronomist at: tony.bailey@usda.gov or 317-295-5845