Smart Irrigation Controls (PA Technology)

• Start
• Browse
• Search
• Technology entry
• Help

Last modified by Axel Heinemann on 2014-12-16. This is a wiki so please feel free to update information by clicking on "Edit with form". | Printable version

---

Name of technology example:		Type
Smart Irrigation Controls		☑ Energy Efficiency ☐ Renewable Energy ☑ Alternative Methodology

Description	An irrigation controller is a device to operate automatic irrigation systems such as lawn sprinklers and drip irrigation systems. Most controllers have a means of setting the frequency of irrigation, the start time, and the duration of watering. Some controllers have additional features such as multiple programs to allow different watering frequencies for different types of plants, rain delay settings, input terminals for sensors such as rain and freeze sensors, soil moisture sensors, weather data, remote operation, etc. There are two basic types of controllers, electric and hydraulic. Most automatic irrigation valves are diaphragm valves in which the water above the diaphragm must be discharged for the valve to open. In a hydraulic system, the controller and valves are connected via small plastic tubes approximately 4 mm (¼ in) in diameter. The controller opens the tube connected to the valve, allowing that valve to open. Most newer systems employ electromechanical or electronic controllers. In this scenario, the controller is connected to an electrical circuit that operates a solenoid attached to each valve (solenoid valve). When the solenoid is actuated, the water above the diaphragm is relieved and the valve opens. Although sophisticated controllers that allow irrigation schedules to be automatically adjusted according to the weather have been available for many years, until recently these controllers were out of reach of the average consumer. One type is evapotranspiration controllers or ""ET controllers"". Several manufacturers are now producing controllers that can be automatically updated by either a simple weather sensor, via a pager that receives a daily update from a network of local weather stations, or through soil moisture sensors. One company has also introduced a product that gathers information from the internet to update the watering schedule. With approximately half of potable water in urban areas being used for irrigation ,[citation needed] and many homeowners either not taking the time to regularly adjust the programming on their controllers or simply not knowing how, these "smart controllers" have been shown to be helpful in achieving water conservation. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controller_%28irrigation%29
Technology for the Application of	☐ Solar ☐ Biomass ☐ Biofuel ☐ Biogas ☐ Wind ☐ Geo-Thermal ☐ Hydro ☐ Energy Efficiency ☑ Other: Water efficiency
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps	☐ Mechanization ☐ Efficiency of Operation ☐ Processing ☑ Transportation ☑ Controlled Atmosphere ☐ Controlled Temperature ☐ Mechanical Sorting ☐ Preservation ☐ Other: /
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities	☐ Grinding ☐ Hauling and conveying ☐ Sorting ☐ Seedbed Preparation ☐ Milling ☐ Tearing ☐ Planting ☐ Washing ☐ Mixing ☑ Pumping ☐ Heating ☐ Drying ☑ Irrigation ☐ Cooling ☐ Animal feeding ☐ Fertilizing ☐ Venting ☐ Animal health and Welfare ☐ Pest Management ☐ Lighting ☐ Packing and branding ☐ Cutting ☐ Sanitation ☐ Other: /
Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups	☑ Cereals ☑ Fruits and vegetables ☑ Nuts and berries ☑ Forage ☐ Dairy products ☐ Meat products ☑ Oil Seeds ☑ Roots and Tubers ☐ Eggs ☑ Pulses ☑ Fiber Crops ☐ Forestry ☑ Sugars ☑ Stimulants ☑ Spices ☐ Other: /
Region & Country of Development	N/A ☐ Africa ☐ South Asia ☐ East Asia & The Pacific ☐ Europe & Central Asia ☐ Latin America & The Caribbean ☐ Middle East & North Africa ☐ North America ☑ N/A: Region of development cannot be named
Region & Country of Current Deployment	N/A ☐ Africa ☐ South Asia ☐ East Asia & The Pacific ☐ Europe & Central Asia ☐ Latin America & The Caribbean ☐ Middle East & North Africa ☐ North America ☑ N/A: Region of current deployment cannot be named
Region & Country of Potential Deployment	Worldwide ☑ Africa ☑ South Asia ☑ East Asia & The Pacific ☑ Europe & Central Asia ☑ Latin America & The Caribbean ☑ Middle East & North Africa ☑ North America ☐ N/A: /
Manufacturers	http://dir.indiamart.com/impcat/irrigation-controller.html
Economics
Technology Development Level
Required Maintenance Technical Level
Required Infrastructure for Deployment
Required Resources during manufacture
Required Resources during operation
Deployment Level
Deployment Capability and Potential
Requirements for Deployment
Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security
Environment Impacts (emissions)
Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules
Additional information / Comments	No comments.
Internal Reference
Additional Links	http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/AE/AE44200.pdf http://www.irrigation.org/SWAT/Distributor/Distributor_FAQs.aspx http://www.netafim.com/product-category/irrigation-control

"Energy Efficiency, Alternative Methodology" is not in the list (Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Alternative Methodology) of allowed values for the "PAT Type" property.