World Grain - September 2018 - 6

FROM THE EDITOR

Companies on cutting edge
of green energy revolution
EDITORIAL STAFF

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community warning of dire consequences from long-term climate
change caused by the increased burning of
fossil fuels, the concept of "green energy"
is gaining momentum in the grain processing industry.
Recently, several mid-sized and large
grain processing companies have begun experimenting with renewable energy sources
such as solar and wind. These companies
should be commended for being willing to
explore the viability of using renewable energy sources, which help reduce the amount
of harmful fossil fuel emissions into the
earth's atmosphere. Those leading the way
in this quest to go green include:
x Stafford County Flour Mills, which installed a wind turbine at its 2,400-cwtper day mill in Hudson, Kansas, U.S.,
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to use wind power-generated electricity
produced on site.
x Miller Milling Company, which in
2017 began harnessing the sun's energy to partially power its facility in
Fresno, California, U.S., that produces
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coming from the solar panels installed
adjacent to the mill provide about 17%
of the power needed to run the plant.
x &%+ ZLWK RSHUDWLRQV LQ $XVWUDOLD
which has some of the highest energy
costs in the world, has been using solar panels since 2015 at its facilities in
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of a companywide effort to save enHUJ\&%+RI¿FLDOVVD\WKHLQYHVWPHQW
in renewable energy has created around
$3 million in savings.
One of the drawbacks of green energy is
not every facility is located in the optimal
environment for using solar or wind power.
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the United States using wind energy is in
Kansas, one of the nation's windiest states.
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a grain processing facility could thrive on
solar energy, California, with its abundant

sunshine, would be near the top of the list, as
ZRXOG$XVWUDOLDZKLFKKDVPRUHVRODUFRYerage per square meter than any other continent in the world.
While the efforts of these companies to
be environmentally conscious is sincere,
whether this becomes a long-term trend or
just a short-lived experiment in an industry
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likely hinge on two factors: cost-effectiveness and reliability. How quickly will a
move to wind or solar energy as a supplemental power source pay for itself and is the
equipment able to operate for long stretches
with minimal maintenance and breakdowns?
Derek Foote, assistant manager for Stafford County Flour Mills, said the company's
wind turbine produces between 140,000 to
260,000 kilowatt hours per month. When
averaged out over a year, it "produces the
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itself." He estimates that the turbine, which
has a lifespan of 20 to 25 years, will have
paid for itself in seven years.
Damon Sidles, plant manager of the Miller Milling facility in Fresno, said the solar
panels also will pay for themselves (the project total was $2.5 million) relatively quickly,
and the panels are under warranty for 25
years, and at age 25 are guaranteed to operDWHDWHI¿FLHQF\
In both cases, the companies sell power
back to the grid when the mills are down and
receive credits from the utility company.
Those hesitant to commit to these cutting-edge methods of supplying power will
undoubtedly keep a watchful eye on these
three companies to see
how their experiment in
energy savings plays out.
If they truly enjoy energy
savings and are receiving
a steady, reliable power
supply from these technologies, then other mills
in locations suitable for solar and wind energy are sure to follow suit.

Editor-in-Chief
Morton I. Sosland
Editor
Arvin Donley
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Meyer Sosland
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Chris Lyddon
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Fengcheng Wang
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WORLD GRAIN (ISSN 0745-8991) Volume 36, issue 9,

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September 2018 / World Grain / www.World-Grain.com

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World Grain - September 2018

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