Energy Monitoring in Gins- 2013 Update

Energy is the second largest source of variable costs for cotton gins. Electricity use has been monitored throughout the ginning season for several gins across the cotton belt since 2010. Fuel use for drying and moisture restoration was measured from 2011-2013. Relationships between electricity use, fuel use, and processing rate were examined. The impacts of weather conditions, cultivar, and module type (round or rectangular) on energy use were identified. Trends in energy use over the four seasons of the monitoring project were discussed.