Agriculture is energy intensive. It uses large machinery with high fuel consumption. The increasing population and effect of climate change confront the agriculture sector. Farmers are adjusting to using agricultural machinery such as increasing the use of electric vehicles. It improves product quality or consumer quality of life. The grid should be resilient. Energy forms a large part of the cost of production in the agricultural feed.
The most popular use for electrification for farms is electric irrigation pumping systems. Crop success depends on irrigation for most farmers and crop yield. Water heaters are the second most-used form of electric technology on farms. Other purposes of heaters are dairy farm processing, sterilizing equipment, and general cleaning. Select electric heater based on efficiency, size, recovery speed and peak temperature.
The electric run farm vehicles are not a new concept. In 1930 they were operated by trailing cables. The present model is battery operated. The experts are of the view that electric farm vehicles are extra energy-efficient and competitive in price than diesel powdered machinery. We have reached an age when solar wind biomass or small hydro is in use. The electric powdered farm vehicles are more attractive.
Farming needs powerful machinery to undertake ground ready for ploughing tillage, and another energy-intensive operation fundamental vehicle used in agriculture is a tractor. It is central to all farming activities. It is plough disks and subsoilers. Thus, tractors are large for medium and low-energy requirement applications. The high fuel consumption for lighter duty work is underutilization at other times. One of the questionable facts facing the growth of electric farm vehicles is the requirement for stored energy to operate large vehicles for the entire day on a single charge. The tractor not only aids transport and traction power but is also needed to drive machinery in a stationary operation.
PV panels can be attached to the tractor. This is a solar-powered tractor. Charges the tractor and run other stationary machinery and appliances as well as lighting. The choice can be swapped at the midday break for a second battery and charged during the afternoon shift. In the future, with the introduction of the electric tractor, the farms will have a fleet of smaller models of tractors. A lot of work will be possible simultaneously. Smaller tractors are plied on wet ground with ease or destruction. Once it rains the weeds sprout and tractor work will prevent herbicide.
The batteries can be recharged at a slow or rapid pace. Most of the tractors will be recharged at the end of the day. The electricity demand will go up. It is suggested to keep extra batteries so the discharged ones can be charged at a slow pace taking up to 8 hours. Find out the traffic rates and adjust your timings. Another alternative is solar or wind charging. Install solar PV for the purpose. This way multiple battery systems can be installed.
An increasing population and the impact on the environment are a challenge to the agriculture sector. The use of more electric vehicles can overcome challenges. Not many farmers are using the electrical method. The less common technologies like grain dryers, thermal electric storage, and heat pumps.