Innovations In Agriculture
For further information on how NYSERDA programs can help, call toll free 1-866-NYSERDA or visit NYSERDA’s web site: www.nyserda.org
Serving New York State’s Agriculture Community to Improve Energy Efficiency and Profitability While Meeting New Environmental Challenges
STATE OF NEW YORK
Eliot Spitzer, Governor
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Vincent A. DeIorio, Esq., Chairman Paul D. Tonko, President and CEO
17 Columbia Circle •Albany, New York 12203-6399 Phone: (518) 862-1090 • Fax: (518) 862-1091 Toll Free: 1-866-NYSERDA
NYSERDA
Innovations in Agriculture
10/07
Energy From Farm Waste Management
T
he New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers funding incentives for farms in New York State to produce electricity from biogas generated from treating farm wastes in anaerobic digesters. By increasing the generation of electric power from biogas, New York farmers can advance the achievement of New York State’s goal of using renewable sources for 25% of its electric power sales by 2013. Under this Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program, funding incentives may include reimbursement of a portion of capital costs based on potential kilowatt capacity, and production incentives based on the number of kilowatt-hours actually produced in a year. See NYSERDA’s website for details. YSERDA digester projects have been demonstrating the potential benefits farms could realize from treating food processing wastes in their farm digesters. The addition of these wastes can bring big improvements in biogas production and bottom-line economics. Treating food wastes may also help make feasible larger digester systems that can treat livestock waste from neighboring farms, both large and small.
YSERDA is working to make better information available about these and other types of anaerobic digesters and related energy-efficient farm waste management methods. Working with Federal agencies and several other States, NYSERDA has commissioned the development of a standard protocol for evaluating farm digester systems. As this protocol is followed, useful information from across the United States will become available to assist farmers and their advisors and credit organizations in making good decisions about what types of digester systems could work on their farm.
N
Energy Efficiency Improvements for New York’s Farms
YSERDA provides energy audits and feasibility studies that identify cost-effective energy-efficiency improvements that will lower energy bills, increase productivity and reduce environmental impacts. In addition, NYSERDA provides incentives to farmers who implement the energy audit recommendations through our programs and reduced interest loans.
N
Incentives NYSERDA provides incentives for certain eligible energy efficiency equipment including: • Lighting and Controls • Motors • Variable speed drives • Demand-control ventilation sensors
Other Research Areas
YSERDA sponsors projects in other areas that can improve the productivity and profitability of the agricultural sector through value-added products, technology, and automated processes. NYSERDA provides cost-sharing for developing energy resources including wind power, solar energy, and natural gas exploration and production. Most projects are selected through competitive solicitations which are open to proposals from farms, agricultural businesses and others working in the agricultural sector. Areas of interest for current and future solicitations include:
N
N
o effectively transfer the information developed through these NYSERDAsupported efforts, NYSERDA has contracted with Cornell University to distribute this information. Visit the Cornell Manure Management Program website at http://www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu
T
Farm Energy Audits are provided at little to no cost to the farmer. Typically, NYSERDA will pay a qualified engineering firm to do a walk through analysis of the energy use on your farm highlighting the latest energy efficient technology improvements available with the most cost effective savings. High-energy demands on a dairy farm generally include: • Ventilation • Milking parlor operation • Refrigeration • Lighting
NYSERDA’s Incentives and Funding Opportunities:
• • • • • Anaerobic Digester Gas to Electricity Projects (RPS Customer-Sited Tier) Industrial Research, Development and Demonstration (IRDD) Energy Audits/Feasibility Studies New York Energy $martSM Loan Fund Enhanced Commercial/Industrial Performance
Visit www.nyserda.org and click on “Funding Opportunities” for a current list.
Energy Feasibility Studies provide a detailed energy analysis to determine the cost effective savings, energy reductions, and improved efficiencies of more complex systems. NYSERDA will cost-share these studies and provide a pre-qualified engineering firm who has expertise in the specific area or the farmer can choose their own consultant to perform the study. A detailed energy efficiency analysis can investigate, but is not limited to, the following opportunities: • • • • Reducing the operating costs to the farmer Peak-demand reduction during the summer season Installing renewable-power generation systems Site-specific energy-consuming processes
• Controlled environment agricultural (CEA) production for a variety of vegetable and other plant crops • Improving productivity and processes of the agriculture sector and related industries • Helping local governments plan for local wind power development • Improving efficient management of large-scale biomass resources • Controlled environment fish-farming • Assessing new market opportunities for New York CEA and field crops due to rising diesel fuel costs
Other Funding Opportunities:
• USDA Agriculture Farm Bill offers grants opportunities. For information regarding the farm bill and eligibility requirements visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/