 What is the
Agricultural Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP)?
The Agricultural Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP or the "Program") is
an educational and incentive rebate program developed to improve overall pumping plant
efficiency and to encourage energy conservation.
How is the Program funded?
The Program is funded by Pacific Gas and Electric Company
through 2012 using the Public Purpose Programs Fund under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. A small portion of each ratepayer's bill goes to this Fund. This money is intended to fund research and development, education and demonstration, and direct rebate programs that improve energy efficiency and promote overall energy conservation in California.
Who developed and manages the program?
The Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) developed and manages the Agricultural
Pumping Efficiency Program. CIT is dedicated to advancing water and energy management
practices and efficient irrigation technology. Located on the campus of California State
University, Fresno, CIT functions as an independent testing laboratory, applied research
facility and educational resource to both the public and private sectors.
How long is the Program available?
The Program is currently funded through December 2012. The program has a
limited budget and may be terminated or modified without notice. Check this website or
call one of the Program offices for up-to-date imformation .
What does the Program offer?
The Agricultural Pumping Efficiency Program ("APEP" or
"Program") is a comprehensive effort to improve energy efficiency in
California's irrigated agriculture. The Program achieves these goals by:
- Helping to install and maintain high-efficiency irrigation pumping plants in the field.
- Helping to manage those pumping plants correctly.
The APEP offers:
1. Education
Educational seminars concerning pumping plant specifications and maintenance, crop
water requirements, and water management are presented throughout the state. The education
message has four components, all of which are covered in this book:
a. Know how to specify an efficient pump.
b. Know how to maintain an efficient pump.
c. Know how much water needs to be pumped.
d. Know how much water has been pumped.
2. Technical Assistance
Program personnel are available to help in locating pump efficiency testers, completing
a pump retrofit/repair incentive rebate application form, or to answer general questions
about pumping plant design and use. Please note that the Program does not offer
site-specific engineering services. That is, we cannot help you design and install a
specific pumping plant.
3. Subsidies for pump efficiency tests are paid.
Rebates for pump efficiency tests are paid directly to participating pump test
companies. Tests are available for working, electric- or natural gas-powered agricultural
or large turf water pumps. Note that tests are not available to fulfill requirements of
any public or quasi-public agency or in relation to a real estate transaction. However, participants in the PG&E AG-ICE program are specifically eligible for all components of APEP.
4. Incentive for Pumping System Retrofits
Incentives are available to individuals for retrofit of eligible and working electric- or natural gas-powered water pumps. There are several important eligibility factors regarding project type and timing of the incentive application versus the completion of the project for incentives. You are encouraged to talk to a Program representative. Complete information is provided in the APEP Policies and Procedures Manual
What Resources are available?
The Agricultural Pumping Efficiency Program has a variety of resources available
at no charge.
1. Regional Offices and Toll-Free Assistance at (800) 845-6038
The Program maintains offices throughout the state and provides toll-free assistance.
- Main Office
- Central/Southern California
- Northern California
- Central Coast
2. Web Sites
The Program maintains on-line resources that can provide valuable information on water and
energy savings.
www.pumpefficiency.org
The Program web site provides summaries of all program components, a calendar of
upcoming events, application forms, phone numbers, contact information, and a knowledge
base. Here you can type in a word or phrase and a list of technical papers will be
presented that pertain to that word or phrase. For example, you may type in
"irrigation efficiency." Several papers will be presented that define irrigation
efficiency, tell how it can be measured in the field, and how you can improve your
efficiency.
www.wateright.org
This interactive web site provides the tools to develop site-specific, seasonal
irrigation schedules. The site also contains educational material and reference data on
water and energy management including CIMIS crop water use data.
3. Seminars
APEP offers seminars throughout California. Most of these seminars come to you via the
Mobile Education Centers. Others are provided at fixed sites. Dates and locations of
upcoming events are listed on the web site or you can call one of the offices to find out
when a seminar will be presented in your area. All seminars are free of charge.
On-Site Seminars with Mobile Education Centers (MEC)
The Program brings educational seminars to farmers in the field using two Mobile
Education Centers. These are enclosed trailers with self-contained pumping plants. They
are used to introduce the basic concepts of pump performance and how to specify and
maintain an efficient pump. They travel around the state and are used to present
educational seminars of various lengths and on different subjects.
Seminars at Pump Demonstration Facilities in Fresno and Chico
Demonstration and calibration facilities are located at California State
University, Fresno and California State University, Chico. These facilities are located
next to fields so they can be used to demonstrate irrigation efficiency concepts as well
as pumping efficiency. Introduction
4. Written Materials
The Program distributes several types of written materials including a 60-page pamphlet
containing the complete educational message and the Pumping Energy Calculator .
Individual brochures are available providing summary discussions of pump efficiency, flow
meters, irrigation planning, specifying an efficient pump and education. Call one of our
offices to have materials mailed directly to you or visit our web site at www.pumpefficiency.org
for downloadable PDF versions.
"Diesel Pumping Efficiency Program"
The Diesel Pumping Efficiency Program (DPEP) is an extension of the concepts employed by APEP but specifically addressing diesel-powered pumping plants in the San Joaquin Valley. DPEP is currently operating as a pilot-level effort with funding from two sources, 1) Valley CAN (a private grant foundation) and 2) Region 9 of the US EPA. Funding totals over $115,000 with the goals of:
Performing 62 pump efficiency tests
Incenting owners to retrofit 11 pumps.
Development of a "pump tester's kit" that will help pump testers throughout California to be able to test diesel-powered pumping plants as well as electric-powered pumps. This kit will include a parts list and instructions for construction of a fuel flow meter as well as software for databasing the measurements and calculation and preparing the test report.
As of January 30, 2006 the Program has performed 52 tests and accepted 14 applications for pump retrofits. Two of these retrofits have been completed and post-retrofit tests performed. The Program is on schedule and final reports will be issued as all retrofits and post-retrofit tests are completed. |
