Measurement and verification of the Eskom irrigation pumping standard product programme

Abstract

Eskom Integrated Demand Management (IDM) initiated a funding mechanism termed the Standard Product Programme (SPP) to cater for smaller Energy Efficient (EE) projects. The impacts of these projects also need to be assessed though the Measurement and Verification (M&V) role has reduced to a mere verification and assurance function. The irrigation sector is a large energy consumer and in South Africa there is around 60 000 centre pivots alone. Not even considering other irrigation methods such as sprinklers and micros, there may be a large potential for energy efficiency. However, the average irrigation pump in is relative small which makes normal M&V too expensive for the possible attained savings. Therefore these small irrigation pumps also need to be engaged under SPP. M&V performed on normal load shifting irrigation projects with full M&V already proved to be a challenge in the past. Moving to EE irrigation projects the M&V process is further complicated. Having irrigation EE projects under the SPP topology, is a very daunting challenge. Before Eskom can start with the Standard Product Irrigation Programme (SPIP), it is first necessary for M&V to assess the practicability of irrigation energy efficiency projects under the SPP. Therefore a significant sample of irrigation pumping projects were assessed with case studies in order to verify project impact availability, project viability, achieved savings credibility and also long term sustainability