Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-wq2xx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T21:52:53.122Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Economic Evaluation of Wind Energy as an Alternative to Natural Gas Powered Irrigation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2015

Bridget L. Guerrero ,
Stephen H. Amosson ,
Thomas H. Marek  and
Jeffrey W. Johnson
Bridget L. Guerrero
Affiliation:
Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Lubbock, TX
Stephen H. Amosson
Affiliation:
Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Amarillo, TX
Thomas H. Marek
Affiliation:
Texas AgriLife Research, Amarillo, TX
Jeffrey W. Johnson
Affiliation:
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Get access

Abstract

High natural gas prices have agricultural producers searching for alternative energy sources for irrigation. The economic feasibility of electric and hybrid (electric/wind) systems are evaluated as alternatives to natural gas powered irrigation. Texas Panhandle and Southern Kansas farms are assessed with a quarter-mile sprinkler system, three crops, and two pumping lifts. Breakeven points identify the price at which conversion from a natural gas irrigation system to an electric or hybrid system is cost effective. Results indicate electricity is a more feasible energy source for irrigation and policy changes such as net metering are necessary to make hybrid systems viable.

Keywords

electricityirrigationnatural gaswind energyQ12Q20Q42
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 42 , Issue 2 , May 2010 , pp. 277 - 287
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Wind Energy Association. The Economics of Wind Energy. 2005. Internet site: http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/EconomicsOfWind-Feb2005.pdf (Accessed September 22, 2006).Google Scholar
American Wind Energy Association. Windpower Outlook 2008. Internet site: http://www.awea.org/pubs/documents/Outlook_2008.pdf (Accessed May 13, 2008).Google Scholar
Amosson, S., Smith, J., Almas, L., Bretz, F., Guerrero, B., and Freeman, M.Texas Crop and Livestock Enterprise Budgets, Texas High Plains, Projected for 2006. College Station, Texas: Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University System, 2005.Google Scholar
Crummett, D. “Tool Analyzes Wind's Power for Pumping.” The Farmer-Stockman. January 2009, IE 12.Google Scholar
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency. Federal Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency: Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System. Internet site: http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=US06F&State=federal&currentpageid=1&ee=l&re=l (Accessed August 3, 2007).Google Scholar
Guerrero, B., Amosson, S., Marek, T., and Almas, L. “Natural Gas Price Impact on Irrigated Agriculture Water Demands.” Texas Journal of Agricultural and Natural Resources 19(2006):102–12.Google Scholar
Kansas Corporation Commission. Kansas Wind Resource Map. Internet site: http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/energy/kswindmap.pdf (Accessed July 14, 2006).Google Scholar
Kansas Geological Survey. Water Well Completion Records Database. Internet site: http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Magellan/WaterWell/index.html (Accessed July 2006).Google Scholar
Kauffman, B. Personal Communication. XCEL Energy, October 2006.Google Scholar
Miller, S. Personal Communication. Sunflower Electric, October 2006.Google Scholar
Jimenez, T. Personal Communication. Wind Power Generation and Turbine Cost Data. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Staff Mechanical Engineer. National Wind Technology Center, Golden, Colorado, September 2006.Google Scholar
New, L. Personal Communication. Professor, Extension Agricultural Engineer, Irrigation -Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Amarillo, Texas, July 2006.Google Scholar
New, L.Calculating Irrigation Fuel Cost. Internet site: http://amarillo.tamu.edu/programs/irrigtce/publications/Calculating%20Irrigation%20Fuel%20Cost%20-%20Gas-Diesel-Electricity.pdf (Accessed February 10, 2005).Google Scholar
New York Mercantile Exchange. “Nearby Monthly Natural Gas Prices.” 2008. Texas State Energy Conservation Office. Average Annual Wind Power for Texas Map. Internet site: http://www.infinitepower.org/reswind.htm (Accessed July 14, 2006).Google Scholar
New York Mercantile Exchange. Texas Agricultural Technical Assistance Program. Internet site: http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/agriculture.htm (Accessed May 12, 2009).Google Scholar
Union of Concerned Scientists. Farming the Wind: Wind Power and Agriculture. 2003 Fact Sheet. Internet site: http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/clean_energy/agfs_wind_2003.pdf (Accessed May 12, 2009).Google Scholar
United States Department of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS). “Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey (2003).” Special Studies Part 1. Ann M. Veneman (Secretary), Dr. Joseph J. Jen (Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics), and R. Ronald Bosecker (NASS Administrator). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, November 2004.Google Scholar
Wiltze, E. Personal Communication. Pioneer Electric Cooperative, October 2006.Google Scholar