WIS175 ENERGY CONSERVATION 02/26/1990 07:44 AM D1 394 Lines Agriculture Resources Management Energy Conservation (20-30 days) This unit deals with energy conservation. Topics include career opportunities, energy forms, terminology, insulation values, conservation tillage, and energy conservation plans. Objectives To acquaint students with employment information and career opportunities in the energy conservation field To provide students with information on available forms of energy To familiarize students with energy conservation terms To increase student ability to calculate energy consumption costs To develop student understanding of energy conservation methods applicable to agriculture To increase student comprehension of choosing equipment, insulation, and operational systems with energy conservation features To familiarize students with current residential and agricultural energy conservation improvements Competencies At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to explain current employment information such as job descriptions, job availability, personal and educational requirements, working conditions, opportunity for advancement, and other factors relative to potential employment in the energy conservation industry and relate it to their personal needs and aspirations; list available forms of energy; define terms related to energy conservation; perform mathematical problems using energy equations; list conservation areas in agriculture that need improvement; understand and calculate insulation and R-values; select motors and small engines with energy-conserving features; choose irrigation systems with energy-conserving features; calculate the fuel savings of conservation tillage; and develop a plan to improve residential and agriculture energy efficiency. Subject Matter (Basic skills integration areas are shown in brackets following title.) Careers - Current and future employment needs - Job descriptions - Training requirements - Working conditions - Opportunities for advancement - Other factors Energy conservation overview [Mathematics, Science] - Definition - Sources of agricultural energy Fossil fuels Converted energy sources 1. solar 2. hydrological 3. nuclear 4. bioconversion - Usable energies and definitions - Conversion units Agricultural energy conservation [Mathematics} - Cost/benefit ratios - Daily energy usage charts - Energy conservation steps Turn lights off Reduce driving Keep equipment and machinery clean Combine agricultural and residential operations - Calculate daily energy waste and cost Residential energy usage [Mathematics] - Energy use checklist - Inventory individual rooms regarding conservation practices Kitchen 1. match pots and pans to stove burner size and cover them 2. use smaller appliances when appropriate Living rooms and bedrooms 1. maintain proper air temperatures 2. turn off lights not in use Bathroom and laundry areas 1. stop water leaks 2. use full loads when washing clothes 3. choose water-conserving toilets - Insulation R-factors Window heat loss Attic and basement heat loss Heat circulation - Energy-saving practices for agricultural buildings - Windbreaks - Proper lighting systems and bulb selection Production agriculture [Mathematics] - Equipment Scheduled tractor tune-ups Regular machinery maintenance and cleaning - Conservation tillage Plow depth Combined operations Sharp implements Properly adjusted implements Proper soil conditions 1. moisture 2. temperature Proper tillage patterns 1. contour tillage 2. field analysis 3. strip cropping 4. vegetated waterways Tractor size selection - Fertilizer and chemical application Soil testing Law of diminishing returns Fuel consumption Crop residue and manure use Crop rotations Threshold levels Integrated pest management - Energy-saving practices during harvest Combine operations Sharp knives Equipment adjustments Power take-off (PTO) speeds Tractor idling and adjustments Timing 1. climatic 2. moisture content - Tractor energy efficiency Tire selection Two- or four-wheel drive Horsepower selection PTO efficiency 1. crop harvests 2. feed grinding Engines, small motors, and irrigation systems [Mathematics] - Energy-saving features - Motor and engine selection - Perform engine overhauls Energy efficiency and usage [Mathematics, Science] - United States food system energy consumption - Energy-conserving practices Decrease overall use Technological advances with present fuels Technological development of new energy sources - Daily energy waste or loss - Diesel versus gasoline engines and tractors Motivational Activities Post bulletin board displays featuring topics related to this unit. View slides, films, and videotapes on unit topics. Invite resource people to give class presentations. Take a field trip to an energy plant, businesses and industries implementing energy conservation, and farms using conservation tillage practices. Learning Activities Build models showing erosion and cropping patterns. Inventory a residential or agricultural situation and calculate energy losses. Demonstrate projects using alternative forms of energy. Instructional Materials Textbooks and References Approved Practices in Soil Conservation by Albert B. Foster and Duane Bosworth. 5th ed. Danville, IL: Interstate, 1982. Available from National Farm Book Company. Conservation Farming. Moline, IL: John Deere Company, 1980. Available from National Farm Book Company. Environmental Conservation by Raymond F. Dasmann. 5th ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1984. Available from National Farm Book Company. Introduction to Enviornmental Science by Michael D. Morgan et al. New York: W. H. Freeman, 1985. Investigations in Conservation of Natural Resources by Harry B. Kircher and Richard A. Lytle. 2nd ed. Danville, IL: Interstate, 1984. Managing Our National Resources by William G. Camp and Thomas B. Daugherty. 5th ed. Albany, NY: Delmar, 1988. Available from National Farm Book Company. Our Natural Resources and Their Conservation by Harry B. Kircher and Donald L. Wallace. 6th ed. Danville, IL: Interstate, 1981. Available from National Farm Book Company. Soil and Water Conservation for Productivity and Environment Protection by Frederick R. Troeh. Englewood, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1980. Available from National Farm Book Company. Bulletins and Pamphlets The following are available from American Society of Agricultural Engineers. The Biological Liquid Fuels Alternative: A Special Report. 1981. Energy: Current Supplies and Future Technology Optimizing Energy Options The following is available from American Soybean Association. Soy as a Diesel Fuel: Economic and Technical The following are available from the Cooperative Extension Service. Choosing Tires for Better Gas Mileage. A2943 Conservation Tillage for Dairy Farmers. A3370 First Things First - What to Do Before Investing in Home Insulation. E2928. How to Use Electric Energy More Efficiently on the Farm. A2579. Landscaping for Energy Conservation. A3066. Maintaining an Efficient Irrigation Pumping Plant Can Save You Money and Help Conserve Energy. A2954. Wisconsin's Soil and Water Conservation Program. G3230. The following is available from the University of Missouri. On Farm Energy Production Engineering The following are available from Exxon Company. Energy Outlook, 1980-2000. 1980. World Energy Outlook The following are available from Midwest Plan Service. Low Temperature and Solar Grain Drying Handbook Solar Livestock Housing Handbook The following are available from National Food and Energy Council. Farm Energy Analysis - A Food and Energy Program Less Regulation...More Energy Off-Farm Energy Requirements and Projections The Food - Energy Connection: Conflict or Compromise Water...Will There Be Enough The following is available from the United States Government Printing Office. Alcohol as a Fuel for Farm and Construction Equipment. 83-13070. The following are available from Vocational Agriculture Services. Collecting and Using Solar Energy. U3060. Energy Alternatives in Agriculture: Alcohol. U3054. How Can I Save Money and Energy by Insulating My Home. U3050. Periodicals EPRI Journal Lead Natural Gas News (formerly Natural Gas) Northern Sun News Popular Science On-line Computer Networks The following are available from Ag Ed Network, AgriData Resources, Inc. Cost of Farming. HS174. Integrated Pest Management. HS629. Reducing Production Costs. HS175. Tillage and Conservation. HS172. Waste Management Alternatives. HS71. Laboratory Resources The following is available from Vocational Agriculture Services. Energy Challenges and Choices is a two-part study guide consisting of the following: "Part I: Energy Use and Supply." G411-1. "Part II: Home Energy Management." G411-2. Films, Videotapes, and Slides The following is available from the Aluminum Association. Energy: The Challenge to Conserve. (Color filmstrip with cassette and script.) 1983. The following are available from the Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction. Century III: Man and His Environment. 04812, (16mm film, color, 28 minutes). National Audio Visual Center, 1975. Down on the Farm. 10579 (VHS videotape, color, 57 minutes). Time Life, 1984. Earth's Physical Resources. 11729 (VHS videotape, color, 50 minutes). Media Guild, 1985. Energy in Perspective. 13328 (16mm film, color, 21 minutes). BP North America, 1976. Energy: The Alternatives. 11736 (VHS videotape, color, 24 minutes). Media Guild, 1985. Energy Saving on the Farm. 06481 (16mm film, color, 27 minutes). University of Wisconsin, Department of Agricultural Journalism, 1981. Geothermal Engergy. 11741 (VHS videotape, color, 34 minutes). Media Guild, 1984. High Energy EfficiencyAn Imperative for Tomorrow. 02149 (16mm film, color, 25 minutes). Monumental, 1977. Sun Power for Farms. 01769 (16mm film, color, 12 minutes). National Audio Visual Center, 1977. The following is available from Hobar Publications. Insulation for Livestock Buildings. 305 (22 color slides). The following are available from the Media Resources Center. The Energy Challenge. Program 2. S57885V (3/4 inch videotape, color, 30 minutes). University of Nebraska, Audio Visual Instruction, 1980. Energy: Less is More. S40173F (16mm film, color, 18 minutes). Churchill Films, 1974. The following are available from Modern Talking Picture Service, Inc. Farm Energy: A Profitable Crop. (16mm film, color, six minutes.) Farmers Generate More Energy Ideas. (16mm film, color, six minutes.) The following is available from the National Food and Energy Council. The Delicate Balance. (Filmstrip.) The following is available from the Sunstone Corporation. Applications of Solar Energy. (Slides.) The following is available from Vocational Agriculture Services. Energy Challenges and Choices is a two-part filmstrip set consisting of the following: "Part I: Energy Use and Supply." F411-1. "Part II: Home Energy Management." F411-2.