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Energy audits, step one to energy savings

An extension educator says farm energy audits are the gateway to implementing renewable energy projects on the farm.

Charles Gould with Michigan State University Extension tells Brownfield Michigan State University trains energy auditors that are specialized to the farmer’s operation.  “An auditor that’s trained to do dairy farm audits will not be qualified to do one for a corn grower who is wanting to replace an old inefficient grain drier.”

He says an energy audit with boots on the ground can be more comprehensive than one done through an application or online assessment.  “There’s a lot of factors that are not captured when that type of audit is conducted verses one where the auditor is actually going around with the farmer.”

Gould says USDA and local utilities also have resources available to help farmers to implement energy efficiency technologies identified through the on-farm audits or create renewable energy projects.

AUDIO: Interview with Charles Gould