California’s agricultural industry is one of the state’s largest users of energy and water and has been historically underserved by a lack of effective efficiency technologies. The agriculture industry is also rapidly transitioning to the next generation of technology: mobile, cloud-based software, big data, and connected devices in the field. The combination of rising energy rates, increasing regulation and reporting, drought, and changing weather patterns is driving demand for new agricultural energy efficiency solutions. Farmers currently cannot manage what they do not measure, leading to higher operational costs.
This project deployed the Wexus (Water-Energy Nexus) mobile, cloud-based Internet of Things software platform into California’s agricultural industry. The Wexus platform leverages existing utility meter infrastructure and additional sensors for real-time monitoring and control. Wexus helps agribusinesses quickly assess usage and cost information for electricity and water from virtually anywhere, on any mobile device. Through customized alerts and reporting, the platform allows farms to quickly respond to changes in energy usage, adjust and optimize equipment in the field, and reduce operational expenses due to energy costs.