Concepts for Energy-Efficient Irrigation System Design

Both old and new design and management concepts for increasing irrigation and energy-use efficiencies and net farm profits should be integrated into current and new system designs. Computerized procedures are available for performing economic comparisons and for sizing and selecting system components during periods of price instability. New pump and motor designs coupled with pump and system efficiency testing programs and maintenance schedules can significantly reduce energy consumption at the supply end. Developments in furrow irrigation system equipment and in border system design procedures can greatly increase water application uniformities. Many sprinkler systems can be retrofitted to enable low-pressure operation, and irrigation water requirements can be reduced by improving soil-water management, by changing cropping patterns or by deliberate reduction in consumptive use by initiating moisture stress.