Grape to Bottle: Energy efficiency rebates for vineyards and wineries at the vineyard

Producing wine consumes a lot of energy and water. From irrigating the vineyard and harvesting grapes, to bottling and treating wastewater—there are unique opportunities for agriculture business owners to lower utility bills and increase profit margins.

The Agriculture Energy Saving Action Plan (AESAP) offers cash rebates and financial incentives at every stage of the winemaking production process to help you improve operations and lower costs. Thinking holistically about energy efficiency across your winemaking operation will maximize your rebate opportunities and long-term energy savings.

At the Vineyard

High efficiency pumps and variable frequency drives (VFDs) save energy and help conserve water

Save more energy with high efficiency water pumps

Standard efficiency pumps have a lower initial cost, but their inefficiency ends up costing you more over time.

Higher efficiency water pumps lower your energy use and help you reduce your operating costs.

AESAP offers rebates to make efficient water pumps more affordable compared to buying a standard efficiency pump.

VFD pump upgrades help optimize well and booster pump performance

Vineyard irrigation systems commonly use well pumps (often vertical turbine or submersible) and booster pumps (often vertical turbine, with inline centrifugal) to extract water from underground reservoirs. Turbine pumps are installed in wells and pump groundwater for irrigation use and booster pumps are generally used to pressurize water for irrigation systems. Both types of pumps are eligible for rebates for VFD installation.

What is a variable frequency drive (VFD)?

A single-speed pump can only run at one speed and is usually sized to meet the vineyard’s maximum demand. When demand is lower, single-speed pumps waste excess energy by mechanically restricting flow. This type of control may result in higher system pressures, poor flow control and potential overwatering. VFDs control pumps by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the pump motor—regulating power on the pump according to need.

VFDs can also improve the longevity of your pump and irrigation lines because they power the pump at its best efficiency point. By regulating pressure with ramp-time slow-start capabilities, they can also limit pressure surges and potentially reduce costly repairs due to problems caused by water hammer. The consistent pressure also means less stress on bearings and seals and fewer repairs to your lines. VFD-controlled pumps are one of the most cost-effective technologies available to lower long-term utility and system maintenance costs. AESAP provides rebates for VFDs on irrigation well and booster pumps according to rated motor horsepower (HP).

View available rebates for high efficiency pumps and VFDs

Custom energy projects: savings beyond energy rebates for your winemaking business

Mid-sized and larger wineries can also benefit from customized, calculated incentives. AESAP helps ensure your winery can achieve optimal efficiency, no matter what you need to upgrade. Customized incentives are determined by the amount of energy saved and are tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. AESAP provides project support and engineering services at no cost to quantify energy savings and offers an incentive value for the energy-saving measure.

Winery projects that may qualify include projects like improving aerator efficiency for wastewater treatment, replacing metal halide or linear fluorescent lights with energy-efficient LEDs, compressed air upgrades and refrigeration improvements—including installing efficient compressors, condensers, chillers and advanced controls. Advanced VFD upgrades can also qualify. For example, a large winery recently installed a 450-HP VFD on a new screw compressor in an ammonia refrigeration plant. They’re set to receive an incentive of about $17,000, and the project is estimated to save the business $12,000 annually in energy costs.

Learn how to lower energy costs and save water at your winery

Reduce operating expenses and increase profit margins without impacting the quality of your wine with help from AESAP. View our incentives page to see the rebate levels and refer to the Rebate Catalog for equipment specifications on these and all available AESAP rebate opportunities. In addition to rebates, larger projects might be eligible for no-interest on-bill financing. AESAP can also connect you with a trade ally who can help you start your energy-saving project.