Agriculture

Agriculture


Energy Solutions: A Guide for Agriculture

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Pitigliano Farms Pumped Up $80,000 Savings on Their Energy Costs

At 2,300 acres, Pitigalino Farms has immense energy needs, translating into big energy expenses. The Pitiglianos realized that since 90% of their energy expenditure is used on irrigation, they signed up for a Time-Of-Use (TOU) rate to optimize their energy consumption. They saved $80,000 in 2013, nearly $60,000 on TOU rates, and another $20,000 with the Agricultural and Pumping Interruptible (API), a Demand-Response program.

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Pumps and Pump Efficiency Testing

We offer pump testing services to qualified businesses that provide you with information so you can assess your overall pumping performance. Testing helps identify current or potential problems, allowing you to take measures to improve operations and lower your energy cost. 

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Refrigeration

Refrigeration can be a big energy guzzler for an agribusiness. Upgrades to optimize your units can impact on your bottom line.

  • Replace worn or missing door gaskets on refrigerated units
  • Install refrigeration curtains, and/or auto door closers on refrigeration units
  • Add temperature controllers to your refrigeration units
  • Upgrade to high-efficiency fans and programmable thermostats
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Lighting and Lighting Controls

Help improve your energy efficiency by better managing your lighting costs. Your business may already qualify for incentives that could put these energy-saving improvements into effect.

  • Use LED bulbs and LED exit signs 
  • Install dimmable ballasts to lower energy use in fluorescent lamps
  • Install inexpensive occupancy sensors
  • Install sensory controllers on vending machines

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Energy-Efficient Solutions

We have energy-efficient programs and suggestions our customers have employed to increase their cost efficiency. Find more energy-efficient solutions in our Agricultural Fact Sheet, qualifying energy-efficiency incentives, and demand response programs.

Want to explore your clean energy options with SCE? We want to help lower your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint. Clean energy can help provide the solution.

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Finance Your Energy-Efficient Projects

Several agriculture businesses have already taken advantage of energy-efficient equipment. To help your business receive these same cost-efficient benefits, we offer low-interest financing for qualified energy-efficient projects.

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More Ways to Save

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Demand Response Programs (DR)

With these programs, you can receive bill credits for temporarily reducing energy use upon request during periods of high energy demand. Choose the ones that best fit your operational needs.

  • Agriculture and Pumping Interruptible Program
  • Real-Time Pricing
  • Automated Demand Response (ADR)
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No-Cost, Do-It-Yourself Agriculture Tips

 

These simple tips can also significantly reduce your business energy use.

  • Shut off all or most pumps during TOU On-Peak hours*
  • Decrease use of aerators during TOU On-Peak hours*
  • Plan your irrigation to maximize lower cost time periods such as TOU Mid- or Off-Peak hours
  • Pump water into a reservoir before TOU On-Peak hours*
  • Adjust variable-speed drive controls for fans and pumps
  • Reduce compressed air discharge pressure by 10 psi
  • Repair air leaks in hoses and pipe connections to extend the life of the compressor
  • Reduce or shift production tasks to TOU Mid- or Off-Peak hours
  • Turn off vertical lifts, conveyor belts, and non-essential process equipment

 

  • Shift use of non-essential electrical equipment to before or after TOU On-Peak hours*
  • Charge batteries and battery-operated equipment before or after TOU On-Peak hours*
  • Practice preventative maintenance on motor systems
  • Insulate bare suction lines
  • Pre-cool, then reduce or shift the refrigeration load
  • Adjust employees’ schedules so energy-intensive production happens at TOU Off-Peak hours
  • Make comprehensive changes to industrial processes to reduce water consumption
  • Change industrial process water system to reuse processed wastewater

 

* 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 1 to September 30