On acres using the Save Water - Save Energy program for 2010, energy savings were 425 kw/acre. This is 13% or about $2.05/acre at current cost. If all of The Dalles Irrigation District could reduce water by 13% this would be $12,000 per year!!
- Mike Richardson, Operation Manager, The Dalles Irrigation District
- Bonneville Power Administration Contractor – 2013 to Current - Wy’East is currently under contract as an Agriculture Program Specialist supporting the Rural Electric Cooperatives & PUDs with their Agriculture Sector Energy Efficiency Initiative (EEI). Wy’East completes an average of 150 projects per year, producing approximately 3,500,000 kWh in annual savings. Our assigned area includes a majority of Oregon and sections of Southern Washington.
Variable Frequency Drive Optimization – Project Completed December 2015 – Funded by National NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant. Optimize the setup and operation of Variable Frequency Drives to maximize energy and water savings potential.
Wireless Pressure Feedback to Variable Frequency Drive – Project Completed December 2015 – Funded by Bonneville Power Administration. Prototype using wireless data radios to measure pressure at key locations in an irrigation system to best operate the VFD.
Pacific NW Solar Partnership – Rooftop Solar Challenge – Agreement with Washington Department of Commerce – Project designed to reduce the “soft cost” of rooftop solar installations. Combined effort between Oregon and Washington State, County, and Local jurisdictions to develop best practices to streamline the process while reducing costs. Project funded from US Department of Energy.
Wasco Electric Cooperative – 2013 – WyEast continued to support the Agriculture Sector, Energy Efficiency programs as BPA took a different direction with their Agriculture Sector Energy Efficiency program. Fee for Services based on performance.
Save Water Save Energy - 2009 to 2012 – Grant from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) - Wy’East in partnership with Oregon RC&D’s developed a pilot program that resulted in numerous completed energy projects throughout BPA’s service territory. Working primarily with agriculture producers, Rural Electric Cooperatives, and PUDs on energy efficiency projects throughout Oregon. Provide “Boots on the Ground” technical support while acting on behalf of the local electrical utility.
USDA Renewable Energy Development Assistance (EA/REDA) grant. Wy’East contracted under Oregon Department of Energy to assist with the design and implementation of energy audit templates and prototype audits to assist with the USDA REAP EA/REDA project that ODOE secured in Fall 2012. Wy’East provided basic energy efficiency technical support and renewable resource assessments for 15 Rural Small Businesses and Agricultural Producers. Wy’East completed five energy audits as part of this program. This work allowed the recipients to apply for REAP programs with USDA Rural Development.
Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Energy ARRA-funded energy conservation projects. - 2010 to 2012 - Wy’East provided technical assistance Oregon ARRA project recipients. Wy’East partnered with Blue Mt. RC&D, Wasco County Soil Water Conservation District, Klamath County Soil Water Conservation District, and Three Sisters Irrigation District. Together, the program included 39 projects utilizing $540,199 in stimulus funds with an estimated 1,655,281 kWh in energy savings.
Integrated Fruit Production Network (IFPnet) – Progressive crop management system. Over 100 Weather Stations located in North Central Oregon to assist the fruit industry, many flow meters, multiple soil moisture monitoring stations. The data is used by producers, orchard managers, pesticide applicators, and crop consultants. Used for pest/disease management decisions, frost alerts, and protection, wind speed, and direction for spraying, flow measurements at the point of delivery, soil moisture content in the orchard. WyEast turned the operation and management of this system to Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers in 2014.
Program Award – In 2013, the Save Water Save Energy program received an “Honorable Mention - Promising Program” from the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). This was an award for programs saving both water and energy; there was a total of twelve programs nationally awarded that year.