Chapter 1: Solar, wind and geothermal energy applications in agriculture: back to the future?

Abstract

Energy audits are a crucial part of farm energy management (Chen and Baillie, 2009a). This type of audit refers to the systematic examination of a farm, facility or site, to determine whether, and to what extent, it has used energy efficiently. An energy review determines how efficiently it is being used. It also identifies energy cost saving opportunities and highlights potential improvements in productivity and quality. An energy check may also assess potential savings through strategies such as fuel switching, tariff negotiation and demand-side management (e.g., by changing to alternative farming systems and farm layouts). An energy assessment may be undertaken as part of a broader plan to manage production inputs on-farm (Chen and Baillie, 2009a). The objectives of energy audits include: • Conserve energy inputs. • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. • Achieve operational and cost efficiencies with improved productivity and profitability. Extensive research has been conducted on both energy use and conservation in agriculture. Recent results of energy efficiency programs have shown considerable variation in energy use between different crops and also different farms of similar production systems (Chen et al., 2015). Pellizzi et al. (1988) found that in Europe, the range of field energy consumption for wheat-like cereals varied from 2.5 GJ/ha to 4.3 GJ/ha. For cotton, a study by Chen and Baillie (2009b) showed that the direct energy inputs for cotton production in Australia ranged from 3.7 to 15.2 GJ/ha. Diesel energy inputs ranged from 95 to 365 liters/ha, with most farms using between 120 to 180 liters/ha. Dryland cotton was at the lower end of this range. The direct on-farm energy use of some nursearies may be up to 20,000 GJ/ha (Chen et al., 2015).