Irrigation systems demand significative electrical energy quantities, that increase considerably the production costs. The electric energy expenditure and the irrigation depth for one hypothetical irrigated perimeter on Jaíba region - MG, Brazil were simulated for the: pineapple, banana, guava, lemon, papaya, mango, passion fruit, cantaloupe, pine cone and grape crops. From the monthly irrigation depth calculated for a hypothetical area the pressure head, the electrical and hydraulic demands and the electrical energy consumption for different crop combination were simulated. The frequency inverter use and the daily restriction to the availability of the number of hours of irrigation were simulated for each combination, in order to maximize the motor´s load and the motor pump set performance. It is concluded that the frequency inverter use and the management of the availability of the number of hours of irrigation secure energy savings that varies around 7 to 62% for the studied combinations.
rational energy use in irrigation; speed variation; electric motor
