Purdue Launches New Energy Site

Purdue University Extension has powered up a Web site on cleaner, greener energy.

The Renewable Energy site offers an array of resources on environmentally friendly energy sources and conservation. The Web site visitors can learn about installing wind turbines and solar panels, ethanol production and cutting energy costs, among other topics, said Klein Ileleji, a Purdue Extension agricultural engineer.

New Wind-Power Irrigation Tool from Montana State

Producers considering wind energy to offset irrigation system energy expenses have a new tool to help them analyze their alternatives.Developed by Duane Griffith, Montana State University Extension economist, with funding from the Northern Rocky Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council, the tool helps producers compare the kilowatt hours of electricity they need to power their irrigation systems to the electricity produced by several wind turbine systems.

The tool helps producers compare up to three different sizes of wind turbines for up to four different types of irrigation systems. The user enters information about the types of irrigation systems they operate and the tool estimates the kilowatt hours used by each type of irrigation system, as well as the number of kilowatt hours generated by a particular size of wind tower.

Cost Analysis for Improved Irrigation Pumping Efficiency

Pumping Cost Analysis from the Agricultural Pumping Efficiency Program from California State University, Fresno. Hands-on calculator evaluates possible cost savings for electric pumps after equipment  retrofit.

 

 

  

 

 

Poultry House Minimum Ventilation Fam Timer Settings

Poultry house calculator, a project of Auburn University, allows growers to input individual data and then calculates settings for fan timers in cold weather for maximum efficiency.

New Report on Cow-Powered Biogas in Midwest

Focus on Energy has released the Wisconsin Agricultural Biogas Casebook, an online report which includes case studies of 17 dairy farm anaerobic digesters that produce renewable energy. Wisconsin currently leads the nation in operating dairy farm digesters that produce electricity and heat from cow manure and other organic materials.

“We’re very proud of the leadership role Wisconsin farms have played in the field of digester systems,” said Larry Krom, project manager for Focus on Energy. “Many of the projects in the casebook received funding from Focus on Energy. It’s our hope that farms from across the state will look to this casebook as a resource. It offers many project details on how different digester systems work, describes enhancements by farm operators and includes candid observations from the farmers themselves.”

Toolbox and Fact Sheets for Setting up Wind Systems

Comprehensive toolbox assembled and provided by Mick Sagrillo of Sagrillo Power & Light. Many of the materials are Wisconsin-specific, but the toolbox should be useful to anyone planning to install a wind turbine.

Toolbox and Fact Sheets for Setting up Solar Systems

Comprehensive toolbox on setting up solar systems in Wisconsin. Assembled and provided by Niels Wolter of MSB Energy Associates and WisconSUN. Many materials are Wisconsin-specific, but the toolbox may still be of assistance to others planning to install a solar electric system.