Abstract: Pressurized irrigation is employed to enhance water efficiency and expand cultivated areas within limited water resources, but it results in a substantial rise in energy consumption within the agricultural sector. Consequently, the need to conserve water and energy arises as a critical requirement for pressurized irrigation. One effective approach to address this issue is the implementation of energy audits, which identify opportunities for energy savings within irrigation systems. However, there is a scarcity of studies that examine energy audits specifically in irrigation systems. Thus, the objective of this research is to present a methodology for conducting energy audits in sprinkle irrigation systems, encompassing all three defined levels of analysis. Additionally, the proposed methodology is applied to two case studies. It is worth noting that due to insufficient data monitoring in energy management and sprinkle irrigation systems, a comprehensive energy audit could not be fully executed. Nonetheless, conducting a preliminary audit can still elucidate the causes of energy losses and facilitate future planning for higher-level energy audits.
 
Introduction: Energy plays a vital role in ensuring economic security, development, and stability within societies. In the agricultural sector, the transition from surface irrigation to pressurized irrigation systems has been adopted to enhance water consumption efficiency. However, this shift has resulted in increased energy consumption. Consequently, conserving both water and energy has become a fundamental requirement for pressurized irrigation. Pumps account for over 70% of energy consumption in the agricultural sector, making it essential to evaluate pumping stations to improve overall irrigation system efficiency. In Iran, the absence of guidelines, specific standards, and adequate supervision in the design, selection, installation, and operation of pumps has led to low energy efficiency in these systems. Globally, pumps consume over 20% of produced electricity, while the average efficiency of pumping stations remains below 40%. Therefore, conducting audits of irrigation pumps and proposing solutions to enhance their efficiency, lifespan, and reduce energy consumption can significantly optimize energy usage. Neglecting the relationship between water and energy consumption can lead to escalated energy costs. Conducting an energy audit in the irrigation system to identify opportunities for energy savings is considered one of the most effective methods for enhancing irrigation energy efficiency.
 
Methodology: There is a scarcity of studies specifically addressing energy audits in irrigation systems, and in Iran, despite the attention given to energy audits in various sectors, this practice has not been observed in the irrigation sector. An energy audit entails analyzing and processing energy data for a system, aiming to identify parameters that can reduce energy consumption in the unit being assessed. Thus, conducting an energy audit can be a valuable approach to improving irrigation water consumption and reducing energy costs in irrigation systems. Energy audits are conducted at different levels, determined by the time and budget allocated to the process. These levels include Walkthrough Energy Audit, Preliminary Energy Audit, and Comprehensive Energy Audit.
 
The purpose of an energy audit is to initiate energy optimization, assess the overall energy consumption of the sprinkler irrigation system, and ascertain whether these costs are reasonable or excessive. At this stage, it is crucial to identify visible energy losses. The objective of a preliminary energy audit is to determine the potential for energy savings and calculate the achievable energy reduction in the audited unit. The comprehensive energy audit is the most intricate type, requiring substantial time and cost, but offering high accuracy. Advanced measuring equipment, tools, and computer simulations can be employed to conduct this type of energy audit. This research aims to emphasize the presentation of an energy audit methodology for irrigation systems and discuss the outcomes of applying energy audits in two case studies. These case studies focus on contrasting sprinkler irrigation systems, namely a classic fixed irrigation system and a center pivot irrigation system.
 
Results and Discussion: Following site visits, data collection, and analysis conducted in the case studies, energy audit guidelines were developed at various levels. The key findings are as follows: 1) the relatively low cost of energy compared to other inputs in the agricultural sector has led to a perception that energy audit and energy-saving efforts are unnecessary. However, research in this field remains crucial; 2) in the first case study, which is situated in a windy area, the utilization of fixed sprinkler irrigation was found to be inappropriate due to significant water and energy losses; 3) there is a lack of specific planning for the maintenance and servicing of the irrigation system and pumping station. Extensive leakage in the motor, pump, pipelines, and washers during the irrigation season contributes to energy loss; 4) The maintenance conditions of the pumping station and electrical panel do not adhere to standard practices; 5) Certain essential equipment, such as a flow meter, is absent, leading to visual or experimental measurement of the flow rate. Moreover, critical information like the characteristic curve of the pump is unavailable; 6) In both case studies, constant speed pumps are utilized, with flow control managed through bypass and control valves. This results in substantial energy wastage. This loss can be mitigated by adopting variable speed pumps; and 7) An important factor contributing to energy loss is the improper selection of pumps, as they are oversized. Based on these findings, recommendations and improvements can be made to enhance energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption in the irrigation systems.
 
Conclusion: In the initial level of the energy audit conducted on irrigation systems, practical findings demonstrate that energy efficiency can be enhanced through the implementation of straightforward solutions. The primary challenge lies in drawing attention to the significance of energy within the agricultural sector. While energy is recognized as an important concern globally, it has not yet emerged as a major issue in our country. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels has contributed to the neglect of energy-related matters. Moreover, the cost of energy in the agricultural sector is comparatively minimal when compared to other production factors. Consequently, there is a lack of motivation to monitor and reduce energy consumption in this context.