Datenbank der Projekte zur ländlichen Entwicklung
Energy Consulting in an Agricultural Community
Summary
This Leader project establishes energy analyses across 9 different farms, aiming to optimise energy consumption. The energy structures are assessed, with the aim of making findings a basis for further consultation work and the concepts transferable.
Background
The ELER (EAFRD) programme of 2007-13 committed the Regional development LAG to a renewable energy and environmental protection programme. The aim is to be a pioneer region in energy matters - promoting energy efficiency and offering alternative sources of income for farmers. Many of the region’s farmers were unaware of the possibilities, so the project offers tailored energy consultation to identify the improvement potential and savings possibilities for individual farms.
Objective
The main objective is to promote transferability and provide the basis for further consultations. It will involve the examination of the energy saving potential of nine types of farm (dairy, arable, livestock etc.). In assessing overall energy usage, suggestions can be made - from the maintenance and repair of existing equipment to switching to renewable energy sources, or acquiring new machinery and equipment.
Main activities
Specialised consultants will record the energy consumption across the nine farms, and develop individual solutions for optimising their energy usage, including an analysis of the business benefits. Encouragement will be given for the implementation of the energy improvement plans to take place in collaboration with local agricultural organisations. The documentation produced by the consultants will be made available to other regional agricultural operations so as to share the benefits and costs.
Results & Benefits
Nine farms have been studied so far. These could save between €6k & €13k per year, with a pay-back of 2-5 years from the proposed investments. The overall message is ‘the bigger the farm, the bigger the potential savings’. The farmers were impressed with the potential savings in both energy and money. The next step is to achieve these savings, which is where the real work starts.
Lessons learnt
An experienced energy consultant is needed. It is important to measure current energy consumption accurately, to pinpoint energy weaknesses or deficiencies, but that is not easy when energy usage is spread across several production sites. There are no universal solutions – all plans must be ‘tailor made’. Proposals are not always implemented. The response from other farms has been slow and it is important to show the potential savings.
Project location and other information
Four LAGs from the Allgäu involved, based in Bavaria, located in the southeast of Germany.
Region
Bayern
RDP Territory
Bavaria
Total project cost (€)
50 028
EAFRD contribution (€)
12 660
National contribution (€)
12 660
Private contribution (€)
24 708
Project website
Contact name
Renergie Allgäu & LAG Regionalentwicklung Oberallgäu, Rathausplatz 1, D-87452 Altusried
Telephone
+49 831 5262 6800
Languages for contact
English, German
At a glance
Country
Germany
Final beneficiary type
Individual farmers
Budget range
€20 000 - €99 999
Start date:
01/10/2008
End Date:
31/12/2011
Theme / Measure:
Rural Quality of Life & Economic Diversification
Improving quality of life in rural areas
321. Basic services for the economy and rural population
Keywords:
Advisory service, Awareness raising, Energy, Energy efficiency , Farm buildings
Last update
15/02/2012