25 The Role of Variable Speed Drives At the heart of SPIS are Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), which play a crucial role in optimizing energy use and operational efficiency. While traditional irrigation systems often rely on oversized pumps that operate inefficiently at lower flow rates, VSDs enable pumps to adapt to varying conditions, reducing energy consumption by 20-50 percent on average (again from the Global Ag Tech Initiative White Paper), which lowers operational costs and extends the lifespan of the equipment. VSDs also offer advanced features such as dry-run prevention, automatic stop functions, and energysaving modes, which further enhance the sustainability and reliability of SPIS. These technologies go beyond energy savings—they enable smarter, data-driven irrigation practices. The Role of Precision Ag Precision Ag technologies, aka smart control technologies, leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize farming practices, according to Digi (www.digi.com/blog/post/iot-in-agriculture). These technologies include sensors, drones, and automated machinery that provide real-time data on soil health, weather patterns, and crop conditions. By integrating these technologies with SPIS, farmers can achieve more precise and efficient water use. • Water efficiency: Sensors monitor soil moisture levels and weather conditions, ensuring that irrigation is applied only when necessary, reducing water waste and improving crop yields (per Digi). • Cost savings: Automated systems reduce labor costs and improve the efficiency of resource use, leading to significant cost savings (per Digi). • Data-driven decisions: Real-time data allows farmers to make informed decisions, improving overall farm management and productivity (per Digi). • Environmental impact: Precision agriculture reduces the use of fertilizers and pesticides, minimizing runoff and environmental contamination (per the US Government Accountability Office, www.gao.gov/products/ gao-24-105962). Industry Involvement Nidec Drives, the Glendale Heights, Illinois, Americas headquarters of the Japan-based Nidec Motor Corporation, is a significant player in the US market for industrial and commercial motor and drive solutions and is a leader in solar-powered irrigation and smart control technologies. The company noted that its Solar Pump Solution is a cost-effective and scalable approach to water management, utilizing locally generated renewable energy to power irrigation pumps. It has features such as dry-run prevention, pipe fill, pump cleaning, and level switch control, all of which ensure reliable and continuous pump operation even in remote areas. Variable speed drives, such as the Unidrive M700 (manufactured by Control Techniques, a division of Nidec), are designed to improve energy efficiency by up to 98 percent in all applications. These drives enable maximum flow control using advanced motor control algorithms, making them ideal for solar pump applications. By integrating these technologies, Nidec helps farmers achieve significant operational cost savings and enhanced sustainability. Other North American companies are also making strides in this field. For instance, Applied Motion Systems Inc. of Vancouver, Washington, has, according to Nidec, developed servo positioning systems for various agricultural applications, leveraging Control Techniques’ drives to optimize energy use and improve crop yields. These collaborations highlight the growing importance of renewable energy and smart control technologies in modern agriculture. As noted in the Global Ag Tech Initiative white paper, the family-run Txakoli Bikandi winery in Spain successfully implemented a custom solarpowered irrigation solution where it used precision ag technologies to optimize irrigation for its 30,000 m² (322,917 square feet) vineyard, ensuring the healthy growth of multiple grape varieties. The integration of solar-powered irrigation and precision ag technologies represents a significant advancement in sustainable agriculture, reducing farming’s environmental impact while offering economic benefits and improved resource efficiency. | pag
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