Michigan Farm Energy Program

Abstract. Before the launch of the Michigan Farm Energy Program (MFEP), the unavailability of affordable energy auditors with understanding of agricultural operations led to Michigan being at the bottom 5^th in USDA energy efficiency investments. MEFP was launched in 2009 to correct this problem, and started training and certifying energy auditors to conduct audits that meet the ASABE/ANSI S612 Type 2 energy audit standard that is required by most Federal and utility company energy efficiency funding programs. By 2013, Michigan had climbed from 46^th place to 5^th place in USDA energy efficiency investments. Central to the development of MFEP and the ASABE/ANSI S612 standard is Michigan State University‘s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Faculty from this department are involved in managing MFEP, training auditors, and outreach to continually expand the positive impact of MFEP. As of 2016, MEFP has conducted 334 energy efficiency audits and 154 renewable energy assessments on Michigan agricultural operations, saving Michigan agricultural operations over $7M and 113M kWh of energy. All of these results were achieved with less than 1% of Michigan agricultural operations, so the potential future impact of MFEP is substantial. It is therefore important that Federal, State, and utility company energy efficiency incentives remain available so MFEP can continue to have a positive impact on Michigan agriculture and the environment.