Thursday, Jul 26 2012 4:38PM
The new Center for Agricultural Energy at Colorado State University (CSU) is working to help agricultural producers and rural communities in Colorado financially through energy audits.
The new Center for Agricultural Energy at Colorado State University (CSU) is working to help agricultural producers and rural communities in Colorado financially through energy audits.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development presented researchers with funding that will allow them to conduct audits for rural producers statewide.
The ultimate goal of the audits is to reduce energy expenses for producers, according to the Center.
"The Center for Ag Energy is able to help identify and address the energy needs of Colorado ag producers by matching the research and service that we provide in the College of Engineering and the College of Agricultural Sciences through the network of CSU Extension agents and services," said Sue James, chair of CSU's mechanical engineering department.
One project already completed by the staff was the examination of irrigation pumping systems in the San Luis Valley and the Republican River Valley to see how efficient pivot systems were in reducing energy consumption and cost.
The potential decline in energy costs may open up some producers' budgets to increase hiring, which may benefit rural communities throughout Colorado.
For further information, check out this source:
Colorado State University