Making dairy farms more energy efficient

Tom O’Dwyer, Barry Caslin, John Upton

Industry impact: Teagasc and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) collaborated to deliver a project entitled Energy Efficiency on Dairy Farms. The pilot scheme was designed around research carried out by Teagasc, led by researcher John Upton, which showed how variable speed drive (VSD) pumps can dramatically reduce the electricity usage during the milking process. The current project funded the installation of high-efficiency VSD vacuum pumps, VSD milk pumps and smart meters. In total, the SEAI received 78 applications from dairy farmers for grant funding. Some 51 dairy farmers progressed to install the equipment (65%), of which 43 were Teagasc clients (84%). In total, the SEAI provided funding of €188,000 (38% of the total investment of €487,000). With the 51 participating farmers having an average herd size of 184 cows, electricity savings of up to €800 per year are possible. The funding scheme is to be run again in 2018. Contribution of non-research stakeholders: The project was delivered with the support of Teagasc knowledge transfer advisers, who used their network of clients to identify dairy farmers suitable to avail of the grant aid, and to assist dairy farmers in
completing the application process. The VSD pump suppliers were also involved. 

Other contributors and collaborators: The SEAI was the other major non-Teagasc collaborator on this project. 

Funding: Funding was provided by the SEAI.