The electrification trend in agricultural equipment has gained momentum in recent years as farmers increasingly embrace electric vehicles and machinery. This shift offers numerous advantages, including reduced carbon emissions, lower operating costs, improved energy efficiency and quieter operation.
Smaller electric equipment, such as irrigation systems and utility vehicles, is becoming increasingly popular. Many farmers use electric motors instead of older, inefficient diesel irrigation motors for farm irrigation.
Larger agricultural equipment can be difficult to replace with electric alternatives due to their weight. In response, manufacturers are developing tractors that are more compact, weigh less and feature battery-powered options. The compact and lighter designs of these tractors allow for better maneuverability in smaller farming spaces, improving efficiency and productivity in the field.
For example, a small orchard farmer may opt for a compact electric tractor instead of a larger, diesel-powered tractor. The smaller size and electric power allow the farmer to easily navigate between rows of trees without causing damage to the delicate fruit or soil, ultimately increasing the yield and reducing maintenance costs.
In addition to smaller equipment, drones equipped with electric agricultural technology are proving to be valuable. Electric drones help farmers monitor crops, perform precision spraying and even participate in crop pollination. Equipped with specialized sensors and cameras, these drones capture high-resolution imagery to help farmers make informed decisions about crop management. The versatility and cost-effectiveness of electric drones make them valuable tools for optimizing crop health, detecting pests and enhancing irrigation practices.
Many common types of farming operations can benefit from electrified agricultural equipment:
- Crop farming. Electric equipment, such as tractors, sprayers and combines, is used in crop farming operations for tasks including plowing, planting, spraying pesticides, drying and harvesting crops.
- Livestock farming. Electric equipment is used in livestock farming for feeding, milking and waste management.
- Vineyards and orchards. Electric pruning equipment in vineyards and orchards performs precision pruning of grapevines, fruit trees and bushes.
- Greenhouses and nursery operations. Electric equipment, such as tillers, seeders and potting machines, is often used in greenhouse and nursery operations for efficient soil preparation, seeding and transplanting.
- Sustainable farming. Electrified agricultural equipment is also used in organic farming operations, with a focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Electric tools and equipment help minimize the use of fossil fuels and reduce emissions.
Benefits of Electrified Ag Equipment
Electrified agricultural equipment offers several benefits beyond reducing carbon emissions.
Electric drive trains are simpler and easier to maintain than traditional tractors, resulting in lower maintenance costs. Additionally, electric equipment is more energy efficient, converting a higher percentage of electrical energy into usable work.
Electricity flowing through batteries and electric motors is more efficient than diesel being delivered to farms, moved into tanks and burned in diesel engines. As battery technology continues to advance, further improvements in electric farming equipment are expected.
This efficiency leads to reduced energy consumption and lower operating costs for farmers. Additionally, the quieter operation of electric equipment minimizes disruptions to nearby communities, livestock and wildlife, making it ideal for residential areas or sensitive environments.
Considerations for Farmers
When considering electrified equipment, farmers should evaluate their specific needs, including power requirements and operational tasks.
Farmers should work with their local electric utilities to assess the farm’s power supply capacity to ensure it can handle the additional load. By thoroughly analyzing their unique needs and goals, farmers can determine if adopting electrified agricultural equipment is suitable and advantageous.
The electrification of agricultural equipment presents a promising future for farmers. By embracing electric vehicles, machinery and drones, farmers can improve operational efficiency and benefit from cost savings in the long run.
Crops and Kilowatts
Water, energy and agriculture form the bedrock of civilization. While many technologies have advanced these components separately, few have aimed to address all three simultaneously.
Agrivoltaic technology promises to improve food production, reduce water use and generate energy. The idea is to place solar panels on land where crops grow or livestock graze, allowing farmers to harvest the power of the sun twice.
Solar panels can be positioned to allow plants just the right amount of sunlight throughout the day, so the excess can be harvested for electricity. Metering sunlight also reduces the plants’ need for water. The plants, in turn, help keep the solar panels cool, enabling them to produce up to 10% more electricity.
In Oregon, agrivoltaic principles are being put to the test for the first time on a 5-acre working farm at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora.
The $2 million project, funded by grants and donations from the Roundhouse Foundation, Oregon Clean Power Cooperative and Portland General Electric, is led by Chad Higgins, associate professor of biological and ecological engineering at Oregon State University.
Chad says agrivoltaics research to date relied on solar arrays not designed for use in combination with agricultural activity, such as growing crops or grazing animals.
The solar array at the extension center is designed specifically for agrivoltaics research, with its panels more spread out and able to rotate to a near-vertical position to allow farm equipment to pass through.
“There has been a huge increase in interest in agrivoltaics just in the past few years,” Chad says. “It’s clear that agrivoltaic projects are going to happen, but people want to know where to build these projects and how to design the systems to get the greatest return. Those are types of questions we will address with this project.”
In Washington, Orcas Power & Light Cooperative’s second community solar project, the Bailer Hill Microgrid on San Juan Island, will feature a community solar array and battery storage.
The project combines agriculture and energy production at the site for a net benefit. Neighboring Oak Knoll Farm is grazing its sheep on the property and will continue once the project is complete.
An Oregon State University study found sheep could forage under solar panels and use the panel’s shade to keep cool. Their browsing controls vegetation, and the shade provided by solar panels showed an increase in the abundance of flowers and delayed the timing of their blooms, both findings that could improve soil health.
Source: Oregon State University College of Engineering