Renewable energy and bioenergy systems
Decarbonising energy use and farm diversification
A low carbon economy requires reducing food production reliance on fossil fuels as much as possible, as well as reducing other GHG emissions.
The energy landscape
It is important for the farm business to understand where and how much energy is being used and where reductions can be made.
Rural energy housing challenges
Nearly 4 million, mainly rural homes aren’t connected to the gas grid. Getting these onto low carbon heating is better than switching connected homes.
Anaerobic digestion for heat, electricity & fuels
A process that converts organic matter into biogas and digestate, which is core to the UK’s electricity and gas grids.
Low carbon heat technologies
Farms require heat for a range of purposes – grain and vegetable drying; produce chilling; controlled livestock environments.
Solar photovoltaics (PV)
Many farms have invested in solar photovoltaics on roofs as well as ground-mounted systems and are providing a return on investment.
Energy storage technologies
Battery storage on farms may become even more important as the UK’s energy system decentralises and ‘Time of Use Tariffs’ become common.
Hydrogen
There is no ‘natural’ source of hydrogen, so it is produced in the UK most commonly by steam methane or auto thermal reforming.
Digital technologies
Innovation is enabling farms to adjust electricity requirements and advantage of on-farm generated and stored power or cheaper off-peak tariffs.
Financing farm decarbonisation
Farms can reduce emissions and costs in one fell swoop. Distributed renewable energy is a new asset class with attractive opportunities.