Technologies and Strategies for Agricultural Load Management Masterclass Training by Tonex
This 5-day specialized training course is designed to support national initiatives such as Liquid Displacement for Transmission and Distribution, by equipping operational leads and technical implementers with modern tools, technologies, and strategies to manage agricultural electrical loads more efficiently.
Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of agricultural load behavior, including irrigation and water pumping systems, seasonal consumption patterns, and how to apply demand-side management (DSM), demand response (DR), and distributed energy resources (DERs) to optimize grid operations. The course explores both traditional and advanced load modeling techniques, enabling attendees to assess, simulate, and control agricultural loads for better grid integration.
Through real-world case studies, interactive workshops, and hands-on planning exercises, the course addresses the deployment of IoT-enabled smart controllers, integration of on-farm generation and storage systems, and the coordination of agricultural loads with utility demand response programs. Policy frameworks, market mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement strategies are also covered to support effective implementation.
By the end of the program, participants will be equipped to develop and manage scalable, field-ready agricultural load management solutions that enhance power system resilience, efficiency, and sustainability.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this 5-day course, participants will be able to:
- Understand agricultural load characteristics including irrigation, pumping systems, and seasonal demand variability.
- Apply load modeling techniques such as static (ZIP), dynamic, and measurement-based models.
- Design and deploy demand response (DR) strategies tailored for rural and agricultural settings.
- Evaluate distributed energy resources (DERs) including on-farm solar, battery, and water storage solutions.
- Deploy smart field devices and IoT-based solutions for real-time load monitoring and control.
- Integrate agricultural loads into utility control systems, including SCADA, ADMS, and DERMS.
- Analyze economic and policy mechanisms that support agricultural electrification and energy efficiency.
- Develop implementation roadmaps for agricultural load management within the Liquid Displacement strategy.
Target Audience
This course is designed for:
- Operational Leads executing national load management strategies
- Technical Implementers and Field Engineers in transmission and distribution systems
- Rural Electrification and Grid Planning Teams
- Utility Engineers involved in load control, DR, and DER integration
- Program Managers for agricultural energy efficiency initiatives
- Consultants and Advisors working on energy access, irrigation, and smart farming technologies
Course Outline:
Introduction
- Electric Energy Scenario-Demand Side Management-Industrial Load Management.
- Load Curves-Load Shaping Objectives-Methodologies-Barriers.
- Loads- Continuous and Batch processes, Load Modelling
Load modelling
- Main concepts
- Static load models
- Constant impedance load model
- Constant current load model
- Constant power load model
- Exponential load model
- Polynomial load model
- Power system loads
- Resistive
- Lighting
- Electronic
- Single-phase connected induction motors
- Three-phase connected induction motors
Methodology
- Component-based load modelling
- ZIP model parameters
- Active power aggregation
- Reactive power aggregation
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Measurement-based load modelling
- Signal processing
- Symmetrical components
- Voltage and power signals
- Filtering and smoothing
- Parameter estimation
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Grid Needs and DR Service Types
- Market Mechanisms for Demand Response Services
- Demand Side Resources
- Supply Side Resources
- Electricity Consumption, Generation, And Storage on Farms
- Groundwater Pumps
- Surface Water Pumps
- Booster Pumps
- Water Storage (Energy Storage)
- Variable Frequency Drive
- On-site Electricity Generation
Best Practices in Demand Response
- Demand Response in Agriculture
- Demand Response Programs and Technologies
- The Future of Demand Response in Agriculture
- Lack of Digitization in Agriculture
Best Practices in Energy Storage
- Water Storage
- Battery Storage
Best Practices in Distributed Generation
- Technologies Available for Distributed Generation in Agriculture
- Benefits of On-Farm Distributed Generation
- Challenges of On-Farm Distributed Generation
- The Future of Distributed Generation in Agriculture
Forecasted Electricity Growth in the Agriculture Sector
Technology Deployment
- Field Hardware
- Network Operations Center (NOC) Tools
- Market Integration
- Big Data Storage and Analytics
- Partner Integrations
Technology/Knowledge/Market Transfer Activities
- Product Launch
- Policy Engagement
- Utility Partnerships and Proposals
- Third Party Integrations
- Industry Engagement
Recommendations and Best Practices
- Potential Contribution of Dynamic Load Management
- Barriers to Realizing Load Management Potential
- Policy Recommendations
Workshop 1: Electrified Agriculture Best Practice Guide for Utilities
Technology Deployment, Integration, and Policy
Plan cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement and policy alignment
- Market Transfer Strategies:
- Product Launch
- Utility Proposals
- Policy Advocacy
- Industry and Farmer Engagement
- Recommendations & Roadmap:
- Dynamic Load Management Potential
- Barriers and Policy Recommendations
Workshop 2: Load shape analysis of actual irrigation systems
- Interactive discussion on barriers to agricultural load flexibility
- Use case: Prioritizing feeders for load shifting using GIS and SCADA data
- Field audit plan design for load assessment
- Design a DR-ready irrigation control system using IoT architecture
- Case review: Successful load control pilots from other countries
- Simulation: Planning and rolling out a local Liquid Displacement pilot
- KPIs for load shift programs (MW shifted, duration, participation)
- Real-time monitoring and feedback mechanisms
Capstone Project:
- Team Project: Design a regional Agricultural Load Management Program aligned with Liquid Displacement goals