Objectives
Most of the energy used on farms comes from diesel and the grid, which supplies electricity generated with mainly non-renewable sources. This energy is expensive and produces a lot of greenhouse gases and pollutants. In recent years, the costs of renewable energy systems (mainly wind and solar) reduced a lot, making on farm energy production more viable and affordable. LIFE+ REWIND project tested solar panels in a winery to check whether they could cover the winery energy needs in a cost-effective and sustainable way.
Objectives
NA
Additional information
LIFE+ REWIND project tries to test whether energy needs in agriculture can be met cost-efficiently and sustainably with renewable energy. During one year, the project conducted tests with solar panels in a winery; one of the most energy-demanding sectors in agriculture.
Two sets of panels were installed: Floating panels on the wastewater tank to feed the wastewater treatment plant and off-grid panels to feed the irrigation system of the vineyards. As the irrigation system does not work continuously, the panels that feed it generate excess energy which is used to produce hydrogen by electrolysis for fueling an all-terrain vehicle equipped with a fuel cell.
The floating panels avoided the consumption of 53902 KWh per year from the grid and the emission of 13476 kg of CO2 per year. In the case of the panels used in the irrigation system, they saved 2621 liters of diesel per year and avoided the emission of 7040 kg of CO2 per year. In addition, there were additional savings related to the maintenance of a diesel engine. The analysis of the costs and savings of the renewable system as compared to the conventional one, showed that the renewable system is both technically and economically viable. Adopting these systems makes farms more sustainable as well as resilient to variations in fuel and electricity prices.
Project details
- Main funding source
- Other EU research and development funds
- Project acronym
- LIFE+ REWIND: Profitable small-scale renewable energy systems in agri-food industry and rural areas: a demonstration in the wine sector
- Agricultural sectors
- Not relevant
€ 1,562,994.00
Total budget
Total contributions including EU funding.
€ 676,265.00
EU contribution
Any type of EU funding.
Resources
Contacts
José Luís Bernal Agustín
Project coordinator
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University of Zaragoza
Project coordinator
Project partners
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Viñas Vero (Viñas del Vero S.A.)
Project partner
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LITEC-CSIC (Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas)
Project partner
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INTERGIA (Intergia Energía Sostenible S.L.)
Project partner