Introducing Off-Grid Renewable Energy Systems for Irrigation in Mediterranean Crops

Abstract:

For Mediterranean crops, such as vineyards and olive trees, using electric pumps for pressurized irrigation systems is typical. In both developing and developed countries, the crop location is frequently far from the electric grid and electricity is often supplied using a diesel genset. The use of renewable energy could achieve significant reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and provide other advantages, such as cleaning, reducing operating and maintenance costs, and increasing sustainability. Although the environment has abundant renewable resources such as solar irradiation and wind, obtaining technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems is difficult. Problems include relatively high amounts of required power, the concentration of energy demand within a fraction of the year, and the need for power stability during the period of operation. Simple methods to design and size renewable generation are not suitable. This paper studies power demand of drip irrigation systems from six study cases of Mediterranean crops (vineyards and olive trees), available local renewable resources, and ways to obtain technical and economic feasibility using renewable energy in these cases. Finally, a basis for the design in each case using a process of simulation and optimization is determined.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 330)
• Pages: 198-202
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.330.198
• Online since: June 2013
• Authors: Javier Carroquino, Rodolfo Dufo-López, José Luis Bernal-Agustín
• Keywords: Irrigation, Off-Grid, Renewable Energy, Seasonal Demand

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