How much electricity do golf courses use?

[Joel_Stewart]

I posted this question on Jeffs thread about water and thought it deserved its own thread.   It might seem like a funny question but pushing those thousands of gallons of water around take big pumps and lots of power.  Furthermore, if a course has many carts, it takes a lot to charge them up.

Whats the average bill for an 18 hole golf course?

Munis may be exempt since cities negotiate very low fees for their electric needs.

[Adam_Messix]

Joel--

Golf courses use a fairly large amount of electricity, between the irrigation system, lighting/heating/air conditioning of a fairly large clubhouse building, and lighting the parking areas, plus in many cases charging golf cars.  At our club, the largest user of power by far is our irrigation system.

[Mike Benham]

Adam -

When you state the irrigation system, I assume that you mean that the pumping systems are high power users ... the irrigation system (controllers/timers, supply valves and sprinklers) should have relatively low power requirements as they are primarily a low volt system.

Mike

[Adam_Messix]

Mike--

When I describe the irrigation system, I am including everything.  They are all included in the same bill, but the vast majority of the electric being pulled is for the pump.  Hearing that thing run, it's like you can hear and feel the power.

[Phil_the_Author]

It all depends on whether Tommy Naccarato did the wiring! 

[Jeff_Brauer]

I am looking into this a little, as I should know!

I doubt there is an average across the country. 

I saw a case study claiming that some new pumps in a desert setting could save $50K a year in electricity compared to old pumps.    If true, and we presume even a 50% savings.......its a lot.

[James Bennett]

At my club, the clubhouse uses about $25,000 per annum (about 170MWh).  The irrigation system varies, depending on how dry the summer is.  It also can get up to about $25,000 (about 160 MWh pa).  About half of this is used by pumps that extract water from bores, the other half is pushing water around the course.  The 'high cost' years use about 150ML.  Some courses will use twice as much water, so the electricity bill will be higher.  We can use hahalf that amount with a few favourable summer rains and lower temperatures/evaporation rates.  The bore water pumping costs are also influenced by the depth of the bores - ours are relatively deep but not excessive.

Overall, about $50,000 but it could go to $75,000 or more at some moderate clubs.  Of course, if the clubhouse is palatial, then that is another matter.

James B

[Joel_Stewart]

 

I saw a case study claiming that some new pumps in a desert setting could save $50K a year in electricity compared to old pumps.    If true, and we presume even a 50% savings.......its a lot.

Jeff:  Who makes those pumps?

[Mike Benham]

This version doesn't require much electricity