Energy Americas LLC is a Boonville, MO company that provides business services having to do with waste heat recovery to the poultry industry. The one person services company started in 2009, but it just took the dive into tech development by securing a $162,900 SBIR Phase I grant from the Department of Energy to develop smart control technology for more efficient climate control of poultry buildings.
Because of heavy ventilation requirements, poultry buildings consume a lot of heating fuel – with energy often being the second-largest cost in poultry production after the feed.
In the ‘proof of concept’ proposal (Phase I), Energy Americas says it will identify appropriate sensors, develop real-time animal behavior monitoring and health condition information and then intelligently control poultry buildings’ indoor environment. Their stated goal is to cut heating fuel costs by 50 percent for chicken meat and egg producers.
Some other predicted benefits:
- A lower carbon dioxide and ammonia environment supports antibiotic-free production
- Comfortable animals are healthier and produce more
- Digital sensors will reduce farmer’s time in buildings (greater biosecurity)
- If a Phase II supports product prototyping, making the product will create jobs in rural Missouri
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CORRECTION: This story was updated on 9/3/2021 to correct the number of full time employees at the company from five to one.
