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Agricultural Energy Efficiency

GDS provides agricultural energy consulting and energy efficiency services to state and federal energy and environmental agencies, investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and individual agricultural producers and food processors.

GDS has played a leading role in the development of energy efficiency program implementation and auditing services for the agricultural industry. Our services range from program design and implementation to education and outreach, marketing, and the development of energy assessment tools.

Agriculture Expertise

GDS staff have a broad range of knowledge and expertise in:

  • Farm energy efficiency
  • Renewable energy production
  • Electrical engineering
  • Crop advising
  • Waste handling and manure management
  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Energy independence on the farm
  • Greenhouse gas accounting and energy crediting
  • Back-up power generation
  • Load management

Client Services

  • Program design and implementation
  • Energy analysis
  • Renewable energy investigation
  • Conservation Security Program (CSP) auditing
  • Farm energy assessments
  • Feasibility studies
  • Education and outreach development
  • Energy purchasing
  • Rate analysis

Types of Clients

  • Public Utility Commissions
  • Rural Electric Cooperatives
  • Investor-Owned Utilities
  • State Government Agencies
  • Federal Government Agencies
  • CSP Eligible Producers
  • Individual Agricultural Producers
  • Agricultural Cooperatives
  • Food Processors

Agricultural Program Design, Implementation and Development

GDS offers step-by-step program design that leads to market transformation, resource acquisition and successful energy savings. Our services include:

  • Design
  • Management
  • Implementation
  • Education and outreach
  • Marketing
  • Surveys
  • Measurement and verification
  • Evaluation

Energy Audits

GDS offers comprehensive energy audits qualifying for the Conservation Security Program, as well as audits tailored to your needs.

GDS audits include energy usage data for:

  • Heating/cooling
  • Lighting
  • Heat exchange
  • Pumping
  • Ventilation
  • Water heating
  • Motors
  • Variable speed drives
  • Compressors
  • Production increase techniques
  • Water issues
  • Renewable energy potential

GDS also assists its clients with the resources and steps needed to receive available incentives on recommended energy efficient equipment through various rebate programs, federal grant programs, including USDA 9006, and state programs.

Renewable Energy Investigation

GDS provides renewable energy investigations to assess renewable energy use and production opportunities. Renewable energy areas investigated include:

  • Bio-diesel fuels
  • Ethanol
  • Wind energy
  • Bio-mass use
  • Anaerobic digestion and biogas
  • Solar Electric
  • Solar Thermal