Journal of Agricultural Science; Vol. 10, No. 12; 2018 ISSN 1916-9752 E-ISSN 1916-9760 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 511 Evaluation of Energy Efficiency in a Grain Unloading Platform João Luiz Fontana de Figueiredo 1 , Carlos Eduardo Camargo Nogueira 1 , Thaís Caroline Gazola 1 , Alfredo Petrauski 1 , Jair Antonio Cruz Siqueira 1 & Samuel Nelson Melegari de Souza 1 1 State University of Western Paraná, Cascavel Campus, Paraná, Brazil Correspondence: João Luiz Fontana de Figueiredo, State University of Western Paraná, Cascavel Campus, Paraná, Brazil. E-mail: jota_fontana@hotmail.com Received: August 20, 2018 Accepted: September 20, 2018 Online Published: November 15, 2018 doi:10.5539/jas.v10n12p511 URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v10n12p511 Abstract This paper aims to conduct an energy efficiency study in the tipping system of the unloading platform of a grain storage unit, based on the use of electrical devices to control the operation of the engine. For this purpose, two scenarios were established. The first scenario considers the platform in its current state, with engine start-up performed using a wye-delta switch. In the second scenario, wye-delta start is switched off, and a frequency inverter and a programmable logic controller (PLC) are coupled to control the electric motor. For both scenarios, the consumption of active and reactive energy in the discharge platform was measured, and the costs of the energy consumed were calculated over a period of one year. Finally, the discounted payback was calculated to evaluate the economic feasibility of installing the proposed equipment. The results obtained were as follows: For the current scenario, the energy consumed to tipping one metric ton of grain was 35.44.10 -3 kWh; for the proposed scenario with the frequency inverter, the energy was 32.78.10 -3 kWh. With an annual projection, the current scenario would consume the equivalent of 10 921.35 kWh, and the proposed scenario, 10 100.81 kWh, generating an annual savings, with the installation of the equipment, of R$721.49; the discounted payback found was approximately 31 years. It can thus be concluded that there is a reduction in electricity consumption from the use of the frequency inverter; however, the time of return of the invested capital is very long, making the proposal economically unfeasible. Keywords: agroindustry, grain unloading platform, frequency inverter 1. Introduction Mankind learned to master fire in the Paleolithic period, over 10 000 years ago. Since then, man has benefited from a reliable source of heat and light, altering its history. Unfortunately, almost nothing has changed for one out of three people in the world today. It is estimated that there are still more than 1.5 billion people in the world without access to electricity, and this is one of the most important issues for quality of life and human development (UN, 2010). Access to clean, efficient and renewable energy is indispensable for global growth. Developed countries must expand access to more modern types of energy in order to reduce poverty, improve and provide more health for citizens while accelerating production and promoting global growth. In this line of reasoning, mankind must pursue two paths; first: the development of new forms of generating and supplying electricity; second: rationalization in the use of this energy, so that this resource is available to people who do not yet have it. The processing of agricultural products requires high electricity consumption, due to the need to store such products. Moreover, the lack of investment in more efficient equipment makes consumption inefficient. Grain production is performed on a seasonal basis, the volume harvested in these periods being greater than consumption. Based on that, it becomes necessary to store and preserve them, so that they can be traded in the future, according to the convenience of the market. This use becomes effective thanks to the scarcity of such a product on the market or through the business strategy of storage companies. The agri-industrial grain market revolves around this infrastructure of grain storage and processing, which is responsible for the largest economy in Brazil (Portal Brasil, 2017).