Extending information,resources and links on renewable energy and energy conservation for Canadian farmers, agri-business and those who support them in order to enhance their ability to make sound and successful business decisions.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

What about conservation?

There's lots of renewable energy coverage these days, but conservation not so much. When is the last time you saw conservation hit the news. I've seen a similar trend in government programming - lots of support and drive towards turbines and solar panels, but very little new in the area of conservation.

I learned very early on from the experts that conservation is job one before producers consider entering the world of renewable energy production - when you think about it, it makes sense, dollars and cents. To cultivate conservation for an energy producer means more net energy going to the grid and more dollars in your pocket.

Are you on the conservation bandwagon?

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Here is a bright idea!

World estimated electrical consumption for lighting is 17.5% of total. It is also estimated that the U.S. uses 20% of this total at a cost of $40 billion annually. The numbers are huge for lighting alone.

Greenhouse operations would clearly benefit from energy efficient lighting. Other less obvious operations like turkey production also benefit. As an energy savings strategy some turkey producers have employed lighting that increases intensity gradually in morning to simulate dawn and vice versa at sunset. This enhances the turkeys environment and they produce more. It also means significant energy savings.

Sounds like two birds with one stone to me and you have to like that.