About Us

What is the Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP)?
The Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP or the "Program", formally known as the Agricultural Pumping Efficiency Program) is an educational and rebate program developed to improve overall pumping plant efficiency and to encourage energy conservation.

How is the Program funded?
The Program is funded by Pacific Gas and Electric Company using the Public Purpose Programs Fund under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. A small portion of each ratepayer's bill goes to this Fund. This money is intended to fund research and development, education and demonstration, and direct rebate programs that improve energy efficiency and promote overall energy conservation in California.

Who developed and manages the program?
The Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) developed and manages the Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program. CIT is dedicated to advancing water and energy management practices and efficient irrigation technology. Located on the campus of California State University, Fresno, CIT functions as an independent testing laboratory, applied research facility and educational resource to both the public and private sectors.

What does the Program offer?
The Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program is a comprehensive effort to improve energy efficiency in California's irrigated agriculture. The Program achieves these goals by:

1. Helping to install and maintain high-efficiency irrigation pumping plants in the field.
2. Helping to manage those pumping plants correctly.

The APEP offers:

1. Education

Educational seminars concerning pumping plant specifications and maintenance, crop water requirements, and water management are presented throughout the state. The education message has four components, all of which are covered in this book:

a. Know how to specify an efficient pump.
b. Know how to maintain an efficient pump.
c. Know how much water needs to be pumped.
d. Know how much water has been pumped.

2. Technical Assistance

Program personnel are available to help in locating pump efficiency testers, completing a pump retrofit/repair incentive rebate application form, or to answer general questions about pumping plant design and use. Please note that the Program does not offer site-specific engineering services. That is, we cannot help you design and install a specific pumping plant.

3. Subsidized pump efficiency testing

Rebates for pump efficiency tests are paid directly to participating pump test companies. Tests are available for working, electric- or natural gas-powered agricultural or large turf water pumps. Note that tests are not available to fulfill requirements of any public or quasi-public agency or in relation to a real estate transaction. However, participants in the PG&E AG-ICE program are specifically eligible for all components of APEP.

What Resources are available?

The Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program has a variety of resources available at no charge.

The Program maintains on-line resources that can provide valuable information on water and energy savings.

pumpefficiency.org

The Program web site provides summaries of all program components, a calendar of upcoming events, application forms, phone numbers, contact information, and a knowledge base. Here you can type in a word or phrase and a list of technical papers will be presented that pertain to that word or phrase. For example, you may type in "irrigation efficiency." Several papers will be presented that define irrigation efficiency, tell how it can be measured in the field, and how you can improve your efficiency.

3. Classes

APEP offers classes throughout California. Most of these classes come to you via the Mobile Education Centers and live webinars. Others are provided at fixed sites. Dates and locations of upcoming events are listed on the web site or you can call our office to find out when a class will be presented in your area. All classes are free of charge.

On-Site Classes with Mobile Education Centers (MEC)
The Program brings educational classes to farmers in the field using two Mobile Education Centers. These are enclosed trailers with self-contained pumping plants. They are used to introduce the basic concepts of pump performance and how to specify and maintain an efficient pump. They travel around the state and are used to present educational webinars and classes of various lengths and on different subjects.

Classes and Webinars will be hosted at the Water and Energy Technology lab (WET) and the Fresno State Farm Laboratory at California State University, Fresno. These facilities are located next to fields so they can be used to demonstrate irrigation efficiency concepts as well as pumping efficiency. 

4. Website Materials
The Program distributes several types of written materials including a 60-page pamphlet containing the complete educational message and the Pumping Energy Calculator . Individual brochures are available providing summary discussions of pump efficiency, flow meters, irrigation planning, specifying an efficient pump and education. Visit our web site at pumpefficiency.org for downloadable PDF versions.