Energy and water consumption of Pacific Northwest irrigation systems

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5023972· OSTI ID:5023972

King, L. D.; Wensink, R. B.; Wolfe, J. W.; Shearer, M. N.

Irrigation in the Pacific Northwest is an energy-intensive process which represents a major part of the total energy used in farm level food production. Since 1950, several major developments have precipitated pronounced increases in irrigation energy requirements. For example, the invention of efficient high-lift pumps, labor-saving equipment, new uses for irrigation sprinklers, and profitable cropping patterns have substantially escalated irrigation energy consumption in the Pacific Northwest in the past 25 years. Until recently, energy prices have remained relatively low and constant. The next 25 years will continue to experience advanced irrigation technologies. In addition to technological development, however, the cost of energy and water will certainly rise while their availabilities become increasingly constrained. The depletion of ground water in several parts of the United States could also potentially increase the irrigation burden of the Pacific Northwest. Lastly, parts of the Pacific Northwest water supply are directly convertible to energy via hydroelectric generation. This study proposes to make realistic projections relative to present and future interactions of the above components.

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-06-1830
• OSTI ID: 5023972
• Report Number(s): BNWL-RAP-19
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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553000 -- Agriculture & Food Technology
58 GEOSCIENCES
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60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
AGRICULTURE
AQUIFERS
COST
CROPS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY SUPPLIES
FORECASTING
GROUND WATER
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
IRRIGATION
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
USA
WATER
WATER REQUIREMENTS
WATER RESOURCES