Energy efficiency in agriculture sector

While global energy demand is increasing, the world's fossil energy resources are rapidly depleting. Greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere as a result of energy production and consumption play a significant role in ecosystem degradation. It is critical for an economy to develop sustainably if it can obtain the energy it requires on a consistent and reliable basis, while also being cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, it is critical to use energy effectively and efficiently in order to meet energy needs. In this regard, energy efficiency plays a critical role because it affects many processes ranging from resource production to resource consumption [1, 2].

Energy efficiency is the process of figuring out ways to use less energy while maintaining the same level of production and service [3]. Energy efficiency is the cleanest and least expensive "first fuel" for meeting our rising energy demand. Energy efficiency is critical for energy security and resource management. It means increased productivity and employment. It entails fighting climate change. It is assistance for rural development. It is a critical component in reducing the current account deficit. Energy efficiency is one of the areas that must be handled with caution because of its direct relationship with the sustainability of economic growth and social development goals, as well as the critical role it plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions [4, 5].

Energy Efficiency

The ability to do work is defined as energy. Energy efficiency is defined as lowering energy consumption per unit or product quantity without lowering living standards or service quality in buildings, as well as the quality and quantity of production in industrial enterprises and agriculture [3]. Energy efficiency, in a broader context, refers to all efficiency-enhancing measures such as preventing energy losses in systems using gas, steam, heat, light, air, and electricity, recovering and utilizing various wastes, or reducing energy demand without reducing production through advanced technology, more efficient energy sources, advanced processes, and energy recoveries. Energy efficiency is a key component of many developed countries' policies [6, 7].

Energy efficiency studies are conducted to improve or, if possible, completely eliminate the unnecessary use of energy by identifying the points of not needed energy use. Energy efficiency does not imply lowering or restricting energy demand; rather, it refers to lowering the amount of energy consumed per product rather than the rate of energy consumption [7].

Another critical component of energy efficiency is measurement or calculation. Many methods for measuring energy efficiency have been developed. In its most basic form, energy efficiency can be calculated by comparing the output of production to the amount of energy used in the production process. For example, the amount of energy required to produce a unit of product can be used to determine whether energy is being used efficiently. Following the calculations, energy efficiency can be interpreted by finding a value between 0% and 100% [2].

Energy Efficiency In Agriculture

Energy inputs are used in agriculture at every stage of the process, including the creation and application of chemicals, the operation of various pieces of equipment like tractors, wheelbarrows, cultivators, etc., the heating of greenhouses, buildings, and animal barns, and the provision of water. Energy efficiency is a critical concern for farmers that cannot be ignored. Energy, a crucial input in production, is utilized effectively at a low level, requiring less input from farmers and increasing the profit realized in production [8].

Agriculture involves the use of machines. These machines run on energy sources like gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil. The heating and water extraction processes both use electricity. For the manufacture of agrochemicals, agricultural equipment, and structures, agriculture also indirectly uses energy. Inorganic nitrogen fertilizers are made using a sizable amount of natural gas [9].

Various technologies and resources can be used in agricultural activities to improve energy efficiency, improve financial situation, reduce energy consumption, and reduce environmental impacts. Energy efficiency measures, when implemented correctly, can help agricultural producers save energy while maintaining productivity. Effective policies, such as energy efficiency training and incentives, can assist farmers in improving their operations [10].

Various technologies and resources can be used in agricultural activities to improve energy efficiency, improve economic conditions, reduce energy consumption, and reduce environmental impacts. Different approaches to energy management are required in different parts of the agricultural sector. Farms differ not only in size and financial capability. Farms vary according to geography and climate. Both of these physical parameters influence a farmer's energy needs. Cold climates, for example, necessitate greater heating energy consumption, whereas warmer climates necessitate greater energy consumption for air conditioning and climate control [11, 12].

There are several challenges to increasing agricultural energy efficiency. Differences in geography, climate, and industry structure, as well as a lack of information and access to the capital required to implement efficiency upgrades, are all barriers. Federal programs aimed at removing these impediments have played an important role in driving the market toward more efficient equipment and practices [8].

Energy Efficiency Applications In Agriculture

Reducing the cost of energy in agricultural products, as in other sectors, is critical. Agricultural vehicles, greenhouses, dryers, buildings, irrigation systems, and farm equipment are all part of a crop and livestock farm's daily operations and can result in high energy costs [13]. Through efficient use of energy, it is possible to lower energy costs without losing product quality or efficiency. The efficient use of energy in agricultural activities can be ensured by a variety of policies and practices. Efficiency in agricultural enterprises can be attained through energy conservation as well as efficient use of natural resources [14, 15].

It is critical to have information about energy consumption. Energy audit refers to the entire study consisting of information collection, measurement, evaluation, and reporting stages for increasing energy efficiency. Energy auditing also includes the measurement of all energy flows and utilisation within the enterprise in order to include the total energy balance, which will serve as the foundation for energy efficiency plans and applications [16].

Before considering energy efficiency measures in agriculture, it is necessary to understand where and how energy losses occur, as well as the causes of these losses. Agriculture's energy use includes both direct and indirect energy use associated with all types of inputs used to produce agricultural products. Determining and recording the enterprise's energy inputs, as well as developing the necessary energy plans, are critical for energy efficiency. These figures are based on average production or best estimates. As a result, the points of high energy consumption are identified, and appropriate applications are planned [17, 18].

Existing systems must be maintained at periodically. Checking lights, coils, and fans for dust, replacing gaskets, and maintaining boilers, for example, can improve equipment performance and reduce the need for additional labor and costs [17, 19].

The following are examples of agricultural energy efficiency practices.

Heating: Depending on the activity, heating can have a significant impact on an agricultural enterprise, providing a significant opportunity for energy savings. The amount of energy used for heating is particularly high in greenhouse production [20]. Temperature controls are essential for reducing the amount of energy used for this purpose. Thermostats should be installed in areas where they will not be affected by cold or sunlight. Boilers and pipework should be serviced on a regular basis. Heat losses in buildings, barns, and storage structures should be avoided [17].

Agricultural Vehicles: The use of diesel by machinery accounts for a significant portion of direct energy in agriculture, particularly arable farming and feed for intensive livestock rearing. As a result, careful maintenance and use of agricultural vehicles will significantly improve energy efficiency. It is critical for energy management to reduce the amount of fuel used in tillage and other field applications. This requires optimizing the use of tractors and implements/machinery in field applications. Field operations such as fertilizer spreading and sowing can be combined to reduce the number of field passes [13]. It is critical to change the filters, change the oil, inflate the tyres, adjust the balance, calculate the power requirement, and determine the best operating conditions for the vehicles used in the field. Tire pressure and fuel efficiency should be monitored. Excess weight in vehicles should be reduced to reduce fuel consumption. It is also necessary to understand the vehicle's driving characteristics in order to maximize fuel efficiency [17, 21]. If the farm has fuel tanks, they should be kept cool and checked for leaks on a regular basis to reduce fuel evaporation. Another application is for heaters. Engine block heaters in agricultural vehicles ensure that your vehicle is ready to start in cold weather but does not have to run all night. Installing a timer in these engine blocks allows you to start heating the engine a few hours ahead of time. Using heaters to keep engines running well in the winter is less expensive than using fuel to warm the engine. Idling vehicles can consume up to 20% of total fuel consumption, so machines should be turned off when not in use [13, 14].

Lighting: Farm buildings, greenhouses, poultry houses, and barns all require lighting. Natural lighting systems use no energy to provide illumination. Transparent panels, which can take the form of light tubes, are used for natural lighting [16]. In areas where natural light is insufficient, additional light sources are used. Traditional light sources are inefficient and generate a lot of radiant heat. As a result, LED bulbs for energy efficient lighting should be preferred because they use less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs without reducing productivity. LED bulbs can be used in barns, poultry houses, and farm buildings in addition to greenhouses [22]. Furthermore, the automatic lighting control system ensures that the lights are turned on only when necessary, achieving the most efficient lighting level with the fewest lights [17].

Ventilation: Ventilation accounts for an estimated 14% of total energy bills in the industry. Identifying and implementing ventilation system improvements can reduce energy consumption by up to 20%. Effective ventilation is critical for any farm, but these fans can consume a lot of energy, particularly in hot weather. If possible, use windows and doors that allow for natural ventilation. As a result, the fans are turned off or run less frequently. Replacing inefficient ventilation fans with more efficient ventilation fans reduces energy consumption and saves money. Without proper maintenance, the efficiency of ventilation systems can be reduced by up to 60%, resulting in increased operating costs and the risk of failure [17]. For this reason, it's crucial to keep the fan blades and grilles clean. Airflow is impeded by substances like dust, lint, and others that stick to surfaces. Inverter fan motors can also benefit from variable frequency drives to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and extend motor life [14, 15].

Irrigation: Every irrigation system uses electricity. Systems for watering animals and irrigation can be made to use less energy. According to the number of animals on the farm, animal drinkers need to be properly insulated and the appropriate size The choice of appropriate pumps, low-pressure irrigation, drip irrigation, and distribution system optimization are crucial for crop irrigation. Low-pressure sprinkler nozzles for crop irrigation lower pumping requirements without reducing water flow. These systems last longer and deliver water more cost-effectively. Low-height sprinkler application and low-height precision application are two of the most effective irrigation techniques. These processes use less water and exert less energy. It is important to realize the use of low- or no-energy animal drinkers that consume less energy, keep the water fresh, and prevent freezing. Electric pumps offer higher reliability, lower operating costs, and better efficiency when replacing diesel irrigation pumps. The drawback of these pumps is the potential need for three-phase electrical power for large motors. Rotary phase converters, which convert single-phase power to three-phase power, can be used for this purpose. Irrigation systems can become more efficient with the help of smart sensors. They can measure soil moisture and determine when to water crops. They can also detect nutrient deficiencies in the soil and determine when to fertilize [13, 23].

Drying: In some cases, drying a crop consumes more energy than growing it. To ensure the product's dryness, a moisture meter should be used. Natural air or a low temperature drying system can be used if mechanical drying is required [13].

Improving energy efficiency on the farm usually requires less investment than installing new energy production systems. Energy efficiency innovations in agriculture must be developed and implemented in practice. The development and implementation of integrated energy efficiency measures is also critical for the yield's sustainability. Energy efficiency on the farm and throughout the supply chain will aid in mitigating the effects of rising energy costs for heat, electricity, gas, and liquid fuels [13, 17].

European Union Energy Efficiency Directive

As part of the "Fit for 55" package, the EU concluded inter-institutional negotiations on an improved legal framework for energy efficiency and submitted a revised Energy Efficiency Directive, which was officially adopted on July 24, 2023[24].

The revised Directive sets a 2030 reduction goal for final energy consumption of 11.7% for EU member states. In addition, EU nations have set a goal to raise the average annual energy savings rate from the current 0.8% to 1.49% between 2024 and 2030. Within this framework, it aims to increase energy savings in crucial industries like construction, industry, agriculture, and transportation [24]. By introducing a number of measures to aid in advancing energy efficiency practices, this directive reflects the high priority the EU places on energy efficiency [24].

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