Energy Case Study
INDOOR FARMING FACILITY TO SAVE ALMOST $400,000/ANNUALLY
Cutting Cost with the Right Energy Strategy and Technology Tel-Affinity was approached by a Massachusetts-based indoor farmer looking to cut costs and become more resource efficient while maintaining or increasing the reliability of their operation. They understood the benefits of combining a long term energy procurement strategy with efficient resource utilization technologies. This approach allowed them to dramatically reduce their energy supply costs and to improve their temperature & humidity monitoring protocols. They are now on the verge of converting to highly efficient and reliable LED grow lights. Based on these successes, they are also evaluating a water management solution to lower costs by 20% to 40% and we are looking into a rooftop solar array for them that requires ZERO capital outlay to offset much of their electricity costs.
Energy Procurement Tel-Affinity’s relationship with this facility started about 4 years ago when we were asked to obtain bids for their electric supply. Although our bid was very attractive, they went with a broker they had worked with previously. Two years later, they discovered that they were paying $10,000 more yearly than they would have had they signed with us. We were able to get them an offer that lowered electricity costs by $117,000 per year.
Temperature and Humidity Monitoring This facility had installed an expensive on-premises temperature and humidity monitoring system that was well-regarded in the industry. They were not pleased with its reliability, had many issues with it, and were looking for an alternative. We provided a cloud-based monitoring system with NIST-certifiable sensors that record temperature and humidity readings every 20 minutes and that instantaneously notifies them via SMS when any reading is out of its designated range. After running the two systems side by side for two months, they decommissioned the on-premises system that they had already paid for in full, at a cost of more than $100,000, and have been utilizing our solution for the past two years at a cost of just $130/month.
Implementing the right strategy and technology is key to becoming more sustainable, profitable and successful.
LED Lighting Metal Halide (MH) and High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights are effective grow lamps but they emit considerable heat while consuming large amounts of energy. This facility had already investigated LED grow lamps but they were unable to find lights they considered of equal or better quality to their existing MH and HPS lamps. After months of in-depth evaluation, they are eager to move forward with our proposed LED grow lights. Projected savings are $252,000/year. These lamps will not only reduce their energy costs significantly but, with a 5 – 10 year lifespan, they will need replacing less often than HPS and MH lamps.
Water Management Water from almost all utilities includes debris and turbulence that cause pressure to fluctuate while introducing air into the system. These factors affect the flow of water and increase water supply costs. Our water management valve reduces bills by 20% – 40% with no discernible impact on pressure. The valve is installed on the user side of the supply line, past the water meter, and through a patented system creates a solid column of water. With air removed from the pipes, businesses receive an uninterrupted, steady flow, reduced volume inaccuracy, and decreased consumption and total costs. Projected savings for this customer are $25,000/year and this solution is complementary to any other water conservation policy they may wish to implement.
Solar Energy We are in the early stages of investigating the viability of a rooftop solar array for this customer. Should they qualify, the system will require no upfront capital outlay and will likely yield annual savings of 10% – 50% for the life of the agreement. Our vendor will also cover the cost of roof repairs, if needed, as well as HVAC and LED upgrades or other efficiency measures if the margin is sufficient.
Tel-Affinity is an authorized, independent, vendor-neutral consultant and sales partner that helps businesses identify, source and transition to best-of-breed solar, EV charging, water management, and other efficiency technologies.