Electric Demand and Energy Usage for Grain Centers on Kentucky Farms
1990
Chastain, J. P. | Turner, L. W. | Enoch, H.
Electric demand and energy usage data were obtained for grain centers on five Kentucky farms. The grain centers ranged in size from 176.2 to 2114.3 m3 (5000 to 60,000 bu) of corn dried and stored per year and were metered independently from other farm and residential loads for a period of one year. The grain center loads consisted primarily of drying fans, aeration fans, and grain handling equipment. Heating of drying air and feed grinding were accomplished using nonelectric energy sources. Electric demand and energy usage characteristics of these grain centers were analyzed on an annual, monthly and daily basis. The data indicated that the annual electricity usage for these grain centers was primarily related to the amount of corn dried and stored, and over half of the annual usage occurred during the fall drying months. Monthly peak demands varied from less than 1 to 29 kW and were typically their greatest during the fall and winter months. The maximum annual demands for these grain centers often occurred during months in which relatively little electricity was used. It was concluded that farmers with small grain centers may potentially benefit from inexpensive load control in regions where they are subject to demand charges.
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