The North Dakota State University Extension Service is holding a grain dryer energy audit training program Feb. 28 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo.
The program is for people who want to conduct grain dryer energy audits,
producers or others purchasing dryers and those who want to help their customers or clients understand how efficient their drying system is or how to compare the energy efficiency of grain drying systems.
"Grain drying costs can be reduced by improving the energy efficiency of grain dryers," says NDSU Extension agricultural engineer Ken Hellevang, who is the primary instructor for the training program. "A grain dryer energy audit determines the energy efficiency of a current dryer or drying system."
He will cover the types of grain dryers, energy conservation features of grain dryers and drying systems, and the expected energy consumption of various dryers and systems. He also will cover how to complete an energy audit.
Dennis Rodin, North Dakota program coordinator for the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Rural Development program, will explain Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) requirements. REAP provides grants and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to help make energy-efficiency improvements.
Applications for an energy-efficiency grant for improvement projects totaling more than $50,000 require an energy audit performed by a certified energy manager or professional engineer. The audit report includes a description of the project, an assessment of current energy use and efficiency, expected energy use and efficiency of a new dryer, and detailed costs and savings information with a high level of confidence sufficient for major capital investment decisions.
The training program starts with registration at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude by 3 p.m.
Hellevang, also a professor in NDSU's Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, has completed more than 50 grain dryer energy audits and has 30 years of experience in grain drying, handling and storage as an Extension engineering specialist.
Preregistration for the program is required by Feb. 24. To preregister, send an e-mail to lori.sholts@ndsu.edu that includes your contact information or call (701) 231-7261.
The program is limited to the first 50 participants. A grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce is covering the cost of the training program with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
