BARRHEAD, Alta. – It doesn’t make sense for farmers to switch from traditional energy to alternative forms if they’re looking only at economics, says an Alberta Agriculture engineer.
The cost for most alternative energy sources is more than what farmers are paying for oil and gas, said Brian Koberstein.
Many farmers are looking to avoid paying high gas, electricity and fuel bills, but with the start-up cost of buying equipment for solar, wind or wood, it’s just as easy to stay with traditional energy.
“The bottom line is alternative sources are high priced,” Koberstein told a group of farmers during an energy savings seminar.
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But with rising energy costs and improved designs for alternative energy production, it may not be long before solar, wind or biogas are realistic energy alternatives.
“For the first time that gap is getting very close,” said Koberstein, who just returned from a 10-day tour of alternative farm energy in Austria.
About half of Austria’s energy comes from renewable forms like solar, wind or biogas. In Canada, less than one percent of the energy used is from renewable sources.
It’s not uncommon for Austrian farms to have small-scale methane digesters, which produce electricity out of the manure from local area farms.
The electricity made from the methane is sold to the power grid.
In oil and gas rich Alberta, Koberstein doubts there is the political will to have methane digesters or windmills beside hog barns or dairy farms.
“This is politics. We live in Alberta and we are oil,” said Koberstein who pointed to the recent announcement of a coalbed methane development just west of Barrhead, Alta.
“Realistically, producing methane from _ _ _ _ isn’t as effective as taking oil from that ground. That’s the economics,” he said.
“Let’s cut the crap. In Alberta, the will to move fast isn’t here.”
Toso Bozic, sustainable woodlot specialist with Alberta Agriculture, said for many producers economics is only one reason they seek alternatives to high power and gas bills.
Gaining independence from the electrical grid or the gas meter is their highest priority.
“The most important thing is you are independent,” said Bozic.
Farmers have more options than urban people for alternative energy. Farmers can easily use poor quality grain, old straw bales or wood as a heat source.
Glayne Grabler of Sangudo, Alta., said with new energy efficient wood stoves and propane fridges, there are ways to reduce the energy bills.
“I’m here because if I sell my farm I want to relocate and I want to be free of power and gas bills,” he said.
Bev Domsky of Clyde, Alta., said she is searching for alternatives for the greenhouse she wants to build.
“I don’t want to lose my shirt because the power costs keep going up,” said Domsky. She is considering either geothermal or solar power to heat her greenhouse.
