Renewable Energy

What is Renewable Energy?
                                                    

"Renewable energy is made from resources that mother nature wil replace like wind, water and sunshine. Renewable energy is also called  CLEAN ENERGY or GREEN POWER it doesn't pollute the air or water."


Australia is fortuneate in that we are the sunniest and windiest continents and plenty of space to use renewable energy sorces like wind and solar farms to provide energy sources for growing crops.


Horticulture is amongst one of Australia's most innovative and productive industries which is heavily reliant on natural resources especially water.


With increasing energy costs and the need to decrease our greenhouse gases and emissions, renewable energies are the way of the future.


Scientists are working hard to find ways for farmers to use other energy sources like wind, solar, wave, Biomass and hydro.


Some of the innovations that farmers have been  undertaking


1. Sydney Markets Flemington have built a $14million solar car park  where they will save 640kw and will save 936 tonnes of carbon each year which is equivalent to taking 522 small cars of the road annually.


2.Swinburne University of Technology have been working on developing a glass which adjusts in colour during different times of day, which improves the amount of energy in the greenhouse utilizing the semi-transparent solar glass which creates an optimal climate for plant growth.


3.A Perth based company has developed an irrigation system to grow crops using just renewable energy and humidity from the air.Irrigation from condensation allows farmers to create a food cycle.
This process was tested on 5 crops - lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers and wheat. Through this process they were able  to sustain the entire growthcycle from planting to harvest.
How this works is that cold water condenses moisture in the air on the outside of the pipes, which then dripswater onto the plants. Irrigation is usually done at night.


4. Energy Use varies considerably within the Horticulture sector. Orchardists who grow apples, peaches, vineyards, citrus and blueberries will have different demands to those farmers of Horticulture crops of cabbage, lettuce and tomatoes.


5. Watts your Business- Apple and Pear Industry Program 2014
As apart of The Australian Government Energy Efficiency Grants audited 30 Orchards and Packing sheds to try and decrease the energy costs.Through making some changes they were able to save $16300 perannum per year . These included some cost effective upgrades

• In the packing sheds sealing air compressor leaks
• putting solar panels on irrigation shed soofs
• connecting voltage power optim untis to electrical supplies

This proved to a saving of around 13% on the farms energy costs


6. Energy Providers
    Farmers need to discuss their tariffs with their energy providers for the best deals possible to help    reduce their energy costs.


Sustainable Solutions for Renewable Energy Use in Horticulture

•  Audits key to energy changes
• Geothermal energy for heating - moving heat from the ground to buildings , heating for greenhouses
• Solar Systems - can reduce costs by 40%
• Cold and Heat storage -  making storerooms energy efficient can
• Solar pvc pumping systems can help offset the cost of traditional irrigation
• Make sure pumps are properly sized and not being over worked
• Energy efficient compressors and motors should be used in refrigeration
• improving maintenance procedures
• Changing power usage to demand only
• Using power factor correction units
• use buy  powerback technology

                              

                                                           
Rnewable Energy and farming are winning combinations. Wind, solar, biomass can be harvested forever. Therefore using renewable energies can decrease pollution, global warming and a dependance on imported fuels.