Initiative improves energy efficiency for farmers

Through its Smart Farming initiative, power transmission and motion control products distributor BMG offers solutions that are aimed at conserving power, enhancing operational efficiency and minimising downtime through effective maintenance strategies.

As farming operations face increasing pressures from rising electricity and water costs, as well as power supply constraints, the initiative, also referred to as the ‘Boer Slim’ initiative, focuses on sustainable practices that improve crop production output while addressing broader concerns such as labour, capital investment and resource management.

Through the initiative, BMG’s smart-farming agricultural team works closely with farmers throughout Southern Africa, assisting them with the selection, installation and operation of new electromechanical systems. These projects are designed to improve efficiencies, reduce energy consumption and minimise maintenance requirements.

BMG agricultural manager Carlo Beukes refers to a recent project in which the BMG team assisted a local farmer who wanted to accelerate his tobacco drying process and expand crop production but was restricted by power supply limitations.

Following the installation of BMG electronic variable-speed drives (VSDs), the farmer can run 22 tobacco drying containers at once, where previously he could only run and alternate between nine drying containers at any one time.

As a result, he has more than doubled his crop production output, says Beukes, who adds that other positive feedback is that there are no more noticeable voltage dips when the process starts up, and wear and tear on mechanical components is reduced.

Production is also now less labour intensive, which reduces the farmer’s shift costs.

BMG has also assisted a farmer in the Barkly West area, who was limited by a power supply of only 200 KVA +/- 300 A, to significantly reduce the cost of irrigation per hectare.

Since the installation of VSDs on all pumpsets, the power supply has been used more efficiently, resulting in improved crop production and expansion of the farmer’s supply, which was primarily maize, but now also includes pecan nuts.

The Danfoss VLT AQUA Drive FC 202 VSDs, which Beukes says offer additional energy savings compared with traditional VSD controls, have been designed for water and wastewater applications, including irrigation.

He explains that these VSDs have been fitted to all pumps in this installation and are controlled by pressure transducers that are set to match the varying demands of different irrigation requirements.

The only peripheral component required was a pressure transducer. Pump controllers and valves were not necessary for flow control in this system.

A notable feature of Danfoss AQUA Drive FC 202 VSDs includes a soft start/stop facility, which prevents the water hammer from starting and stopping the pumps, thus reducing the possibility of burst pipes.

These VSDs are available from BMG in IP55 enclosures, which do not require dedicated panels. This eliminates the need for additional cooling and ventilation, which is normally required to extract heat during operation.

Additionally, to ensure absolute dependability and the highest performance of these systems, BMG installed and commissioned these projects.

armers also have the assurance of support from BMG, which is an authorised DrivePro service partner of Danfoss.

With a projected yearly power saving of 155 491 kWh, BMG expects the maize farmer to benefit from cost savings of about R108 444, with a payback time of less than a year.

“The BMG team is also committed to preventing unnecessary breakdowns, which is why reliability is the main focus when designing the drive systems for new and upgraded facilities,” says Beukes.