PowWow Energy, Inc
Summary
SCH Number
2016078073
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
PowWow Energy, Inc
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/7/2016
Document Description
This project provides a simple and scalable way to measure groundwater extraction that is included in irrigation practices. Existing smart meters deployed by California's Investor Owned Utilities (IOU) are leveraged to provide automated water records to growers by using patent-pending software algorithms. This data is augmented by weather data and optional soil moisture data from local sensors. The water measurements are the combined with the other sources of data to reduce irrigation while maintaining or optimizing yield. The system monitors irrigation and sends text alerts to growers with recommendations to optimize irrigation efficiency. The technology will be applied on an industrial scale at six sites by several growers and is estimated to save at least 20% of their energy and water use for alfalfa, tomato, pistachio and almond crops. The beneficiaries are the farmer ratepayers who will reduce their electricity and water use and other ratepayers who will benefit from the farms avoided use of electricity and water.
Contact Information
Name
Anish Gautam
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Davis, Hanford, Tulare
Counties
Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Yolo
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
S:15306
Reasons for Exemption
This project will develop software capable of sending alerts to farmers in response to moisture levels in their fields that will tell them when the fields need to be irrigated. This project will use weather data, and soil monitoring sensors, in existing agricultural fields to measure moisture levels of the fields for different crops in six locations. These devices and sensors which are approximately the size of a deck of cards will be used for data gathering and will be removed when the project is completed. This will not result in major disturbances to an environmental resource.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.