Agriculture & Horticulture

Agriculture and horticulture use an increasing amount of energy for operations throughout the supply chain from field to fork including agricultural production, processing, distribution and retail.

The Agriculture & Horticulture industry is increasingly focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability measures to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and minimise environmental impact. This falls in-line with the Government’s agenda to reach net zero. Calibrate Energy Engineering are experts in helping agri-businesses to switch from fossil fuels to renewables for everyday operations.

Energy is essential for mechanising many agriculture and horticulture operations. After harvest, many crops require drying and processing before they can be stored or transported. Energy sources like natural gas, electricity, biomass or heat pumps are used to fuel drying systems, such as grain dryers or fruit and vegetable dehydrators instead of carbon-heavy diesel.

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Proper crop drying and processing help prevent spoilage, reduce post-harvest losses, and maintain the quality of agricultural products. More renewable solutions such as heat pumps can transform a farm’s energy profile in both effectiveness and efficiency allowing farmers to perform everyday tasks from chilling soft fruit and milk to drying cereals.

Food processing operations are a key energy user, including milling, grinding, baking, canning, and freezing. Machinery and equipment in food processing facilities require electricity or renewable energy sources to operate efficiently. Refrigeration and cold storage facilities also rely on energy to maintain proper temperature conditions for preserving perishable agricultural products.

The agriculture sector has been exploring the integration of renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainability. Solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps (geothermal) and biomass digesters can generate clean energy for powering agricultural operations, such as irrigation systems, farm machinery, hydroponics and on-site processing facilities. This shift towards renewable energy can enhance energy resilience and reduce environmental impact by balancing energy requirements with environmental considerations can contribute to a more sustainable agricultural system.

Calibrate can help in this mission by proposing and installing solutions to transform an organisation’s energy profile and meet the Government’s agenda to reach net zero. We can support in making the transition to installing renewables, as well as upgrade or expand existing systems, making your business more sustainable and positively impact your bottom line and carbon profile.

Combined Heat and Power

Ground Source Heat Pump

Calibrate Analytics

THE NET ZERO GROWTH PLAN

Opal House, an NHS projectCharlotte Bruce2024-08-09T10:30:14+00:00