As drought conditions and climate change put increasing pressure on Oregon’s water sources, farmers and irrigation districts are looking for ways to move water more efficiently while managing rising energy costs. Energy Trust helps farmers and ranchers upgrade equipment such as pumps, sprinkler systems and irrigation controls to reduce energy use and distribute water more efficiently. Energy Trust also helps irrigation districts identify, pursue funding for and complete large-scale upgrades that can include opportunities for small-scale hydropower generation.
Helping farms save energy and water
Support can include new irrigation systems, such as pivots drips and linear systems, that apply water more efficiently and reduce the energy needed to pump it. Energy Trust also supports variable frequency drives (VFDs) that adjust irrigation pumps based on water demand. These upgrades can reduce pumping costs by up to 35%. Other upgrades, such as more efficient water sprinkler systems, can improve how water is distributed and help reduce waste.
The impact of these upgrades can be seen across Oregon. In Umatilla County, Jimenez Farms upgraded its irrigation systems with support from Energy Trust, resulting in an estimated 33% reduction in energy use and 13% less water use, along with lower labor costs and a 10% increase in crop production. For owner Felipe Jimenez, the investment has made a noticeable difference. “When you’re a small farmer, every little bit of assistance helps,” he said. “It is a big investment upfront, but it’s worth it in the end.” In Southern Oregon, Energy Trust supported Langell Valley Irrigation District, as it installed its first VFD. The project is expected to save more than 21,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity and $1,700 in energy costs each year, while helping the district better manage water and reduce labor needs.
Modernizing irrigation district infrastructure
Most of Oregon’s irrigation systems were built nearly 100 years ago and rely on open canals and ditches to move water. These canals and ditches lose water through evaporation and seepage into the ground – up to half of the water diverted from rivers for agriculture never makes it to a farm or ranch.
Modernizing that infrastructure is a major undertaking, and irrigation districts often need significant state and federal funding to make these projects possible. Energy Trust works with Farmers Conservation Alliance to help districts get that process started. Through early funding and technical support, the partners help districts assess their systems, develop project plans and identify energy saving opportunities. That early work can also give districts the infrastructure and capacity support needed to make a stronger case for additional state and federal funding.
Once projects move forward, replacing open canals with pipe system upgrades can reduce water loss and lower the energy burden needed to move water. In some cases, the added water pressure can also create an opportunity for small-scale hydropower, providing another potential source of revenue for irrigation districts.
The resulting revenue streams, which will continue for decades into the future, are financial resources that are reinvested in the community and can be used to help pay for the cost of these projects. Incorporating small-scale hydroelectric generation can also help Oregon meet its renewable energy goals, strengthen the electric grid and increase energy resilience across Oregon.
Energy Trust is helping three irrigation districts in the Deschutes River Basin move forward with a major infrastructure upgrade. The irrigation districts are converting nearly 50 miles of open-ditch canals with piped, pressurized systems that will serve about 2,500 farmers and producers across 85,000 acres. Energy Trust provided early support to energy efficiency into the design plans, and the completed upgrades are expected to save the districts $800.000 a year in energy costs.
By working with agricultural businesses and irrigation districts, Energy Trust is helping Oregon communities save energy, reduce costs, use water more efficiently and generate clean power.