Farm Energy Audits

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This curriculum module on Farm Energy Audits addresses energy audits and energy management plans on farms.    Topics include discussion of the purposes of energy audits, a review of different types of audits, methodologies and standards that apply to on-farm energy audits.

 

Link to all of the Northeast Farm Energy IQ Curriculum, developed by Extension specialists from Penn State, Rutgers and University of Vermont.

This is part of the Farm Energy Efficiency Curriculum Series:  Farm Energy Efficiency Principles | Energy

Farm Energy Efficiency Principles

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This curriculum module on Farm Energy Efficiency Principles covers the fundamentals of energy systems.  Topics include basic thermodynamics, heat transfer, energy conversion processes and discussion of energy efficiency and specific applications on farms.

 

Link to all of the Northeast Farm Energy IQ Curriculum, developed by Extension specialists from Penn State, Rutgers and University of Vermont.

This is part of the Farm Energy Efficiency Curriculum Series:  Farm Energy Efficiency Principles | Energy Audits | EE for Dairy Farms | EE

Research Summary: Biomass Crop Production Benefits from a Wide Spectrum of Marketing Opportunities

ag energy, Switchgrass, biomass energy
Switchgrass. Photo: Dennis Pennington, Bioenergy Educator, Michigan State University.

A wide range of potential markets spans the bioenergy supply chain for biomass crops including switchgrass and miscanthus, and woody plants such as willow.

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Abstract

Biomass crops such as switchgrass, miscanthus, and shrub willow are not only intended for bioenergy production but for other non-energy market …

Research Summary: Competition For Land Use—Why Would a Rational Producer Grow Switchgrass for Biofuel?

Farmers value the conservation and environmental benefits of switchgrass grown for biofuels but also consider profit, alternative land uses, and public policy incentives when making production decisions.

 

Sponsoring Partner

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Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

Table of Contents

Abstract

Switchgrass production must compete with other potential land uses and be profitable for growers, and biofuel markets for perennial grasses …

Northeast Farm Energy IQ CURRICULUM

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Farm Energy IQ provides a Northeast regional “train the trainer” program to build the capacity and confidence of Ag Service Providers to help farmers enhance operational sustainability in the context of the farm economy and ecosystem of the region.
 

NE Farm Energy IQ Toolkit for each topic area includes:

  • Module Overview with instructions for presentations to Ag Service Providers (ASP) and Farmers
  • “Train the Trainer” Presentation
  • Farmer Presentation
  • Educational Materials for educators, service providers, and

Resources from CenUSA – Sustainable Production and Distribution of Bioenergy for the Central USA

Sponsoring Partner

CenUSA-Logo
Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

 

 

 

CenUSA Bioenergy is a coordinated research and education effort investigating the creation of a regional system in the Central US for producing advanced transportation fuels from perennial grasses on land that is either unsuitable or marginal for row crop production. In addition to producing advanced biofuels, the proposed system will improve the sustainability of existing cropping systems by reducing agricultural runoff of nutrients in soil and increasing carbon sequestration.…

Daniel Ciolkosz, Penn State

Dr. Ciolkosz is a research and extension associate in Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. He works to develop engineering knowhow that will help Pennsylvania’s farms produce bioenergy and improve energy efficiency. This includes a variety of extension efforts with farmers, business developers, landowners, and biomass end users. The specific work can take on many forms, such as providing technical advice to individuals, hosting advanced bioenergy short courses, editing new books on wood energy, helping schools and other …

Research Summary: Safety and Health Risks of Producing Biomass on the Farm

It is time to develop ways to minimize safety and health hazards in biomass production on the farm, an area in which there has been little research

Switchgrass baling
Switchgrass baling on steep marginal land presents a rollover hazard. Photo: Douglas Schaufler, Penn State.

Table of Contents

 

Abstract

With increasing numbers of farmers growing biomass for renewable energy uses, new risks of …

Research Summary: Exploring On-Farm Pyrolysis Processing of Biofuels

The USDA-ARS FarmBio3 project explores whether on-farm fast-pyrolysis processing units could be a component of an efficient and cost-effective decentralized system of biofuel production and processing.

truck
FarmBio3 mobile pyrolysis system travels among farms simulating the real-world scenario of multiple on-farm units that convert feedstocks to bio-oil, which is delivered to a regional biorefinery. Photo credit: USDA-ARS Pyrolysis Team.

Table of Contents

Research Summary: Characteristics of Willow Biomass Chips Produced Using a Single-Pass Cut-and-Chip Harvester

Harvest method impacts wood chip quality–use a single-pass cut-and-chip method and willow makes the grade.

Sample of willow biomass chips produced from a single pass cut and chip harvester based on a New Holland forage harvester.
Sample of willow biomass chips produced from a single pass cut and chip harvester based on a New Holland forage harvester. Photo: Timothy Volk.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Biomass for bioenergy and/or bioproducts can be sourced from forests, agricultural crops, various residue streams,