EnSave
Founded: 1991 by Steve Faust
Sector: Designs and implements agricultural energy efficiency programs.
Business Status: Success
Location: Richmond,Vermont
Website: www.ensave.com
Status 1991:
In 1991 Berle listed Steve Faust as an ''Environmental Consultant'', categorising him as ''one of several entrepreneurs in New England who had begun ecological ventures'' (Berle, 1991, p.32)[1]. Steve Foust founded EnSave in 1991, with the aim of supporting American agriculture to find and implement energy efficiency and resource conservation solutions. The company states on its website that it ''provides agricultural producers and food processors with cost-effective ways to reduce operating costs, while saving energy and conserving our nation''s natural resources''[2].
Status 2010:
EnSave focuses on energy issues related to farming, a sector where energy needs can make up a significant portion of overall expenses. Faust built his company in contrast to what he described as energy consultants who targeted financially lucrative industries, who ''sprung up primarily when the utilities [were] required to provide energy efficiency programs''. In 2007 EnSave conducted between 150 and 200 energy audits on poultry farms, dairies and other agricultural enterprises, and by 2008 the company was operating in 10 states[3].
In 2008 The Maryland Department of Agriculture, along with other state, local, federal and private partners (including EnSave) began accepting applications for farm energy audits across various counties in the state. This scheme was adopted by the State of Maryland as part of continued efforts to improve the environment through the reduction of energy use. It also represented an opportunity for farmers to save money through increasing the energy efficiency of their operations. In an article promoting the scheme in a local newspaper, the following example was given regarding an energy audit conducted by EnSave in 2006: ''EnSave conducted an energy site assessment on a 75-cow dairy farm, and uncovered equipment upgrades that would save 24,500 kilowatt hours per year. Assuming a retail electric price of 11 cents a kilowatt hour, that is about $2,700 in savings each year''. In order to benefit from the scheme farmers had to pay $250 for an audit report, with the cost reimbursed if they implemented one or more of the energy efficiency
recommendations[4].
By 2010 EnSave was partnered with several state Energy Efficiency Programs, including New Hampshire, Maryland and California. Between 2009 and
2010 EnSave carried out over 30 farm audits for the North Carolina Farm Bureau. In 2010 EnSave partnered with Indiana''s Delaware County Soil& Water
Conservation District to provide farm energy audits between 2010 and 2013. Steve Faust and other EnSave representatives also regularly give presentations and training at conferences and various agricultural societies[5].
Sources:
[1] Berle, G. (1991) The Green Entrepreneur: Business Opportunities That Can Save the Earth and Make You Money. United States, Liberty Hall Press
[2] EnSave (2010) EnSave | Saving Energy on America''s Farms [online].
[3] Irvin, D. (2008) Sunday Poultry farms pecking away at energy costs, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock), 4th May, Business Section.
[4] US States News (2008) Maryland Farmers can save on energy costs, US States News, 7th January.
[5] EnSave (2010) EnSave | News [online].
Sector: Designs and implements agricultural energy efficiency programs.
Business Status: Success
Location: Richmond,Vermont
Website: www.ensave.com
Status 1991:
In 1991 Berle listed Steve Faust as an ''Environmental Consultant'', categorising him as ''one of several entrepreneurs in New England who had begun ecological ventures'' (Berle, 1991, p.32)[1]. Steve Foust founded EnSave in 1991, with the aim of supporting American agriculture to find and implement energy efficiency and resource conservation solutions. The company states on its website that it ''provides agricultural producers and food processors with cost-effective ways to reduce operating costs, while saving energy and conserving our nation''s natural resources''[2].
Status 2010:
EnSave focuses on energy issues related to farming, a sector where energy needs can make up a significant portion of overall expenses. Faust built his company in contrast to what he described as energy consultants who targeted financially lucrative industries, who ''sprung up primarily when the utilities [were] required to provide energy efficiency programs''. In 2007 EnSave conducted between 150 and 200 energy audits on poultry farms, dairies and other agricultural enterprises, and by 2008 the company was operating in 10 states[3].
In 2008 The Maryland Department of Agriculture, along with other state, local, federal and private partners (including EnSave) began accepting applications for farm energy audits across various counties in the state. This scheme was adopted by the State of Maryland as part of continued efforts to improve the environment through the reduction of energy use. It also represented an opportunity for farmers to save money through increasing the energy efficiency of their operations. In an article promoting the scheme in a local newspaper, the following example was given regarding an energy audit conducted by EnSave in 2006: ''EnSave conducted an energy site assessment on a 75-cow dairy farm, and uncovered equipment upgrades that would save 24,500 kilowatt hours per year. Assuming a retail electric price of 11 cents a kilowatt hour, that is about $2,700 in savings each year''. In order to benefit from the scheme farmers had to pay $250 for an audit report, with the cost reimbursed if they implemented one or more of the energy efficiency
recommendations[4].
By 2010 EnSave was partnered with several state Energy Efficiency Programs, including New Hampshire, Maryland and California. Between 2009 and
2010 EnSave carried out over 30 farm audits for the North Carolina Farm Bureau. In 2010 EnSave partnered with Indiana''s Delaware County Soil& Water
Conservation District to provide farm energy audits between 2010 and 2013. Steve Faust and other EnSave representatives also regularly give presentations and training at conferences and various agricultural societies[5].
Sources:
[1] Berle, G. (1991) The Green Entrepreneur: Business Opportunities That Can Save the Earth and Make You Money. United States, Liberty Hall Press
[2] EnSave (2010) EnSave | Saving Energy on America''s Farms [online].
[3] Irvin, D. (2008) Sunday Poultry farms pecking away at energy costs, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock), 4th May, Business Section.
[4] US States News (2008) Maryland Farmers can save on energy costs, US States News, 7th January.
[5] EnSave (2010) EnSave | News [online].