Ag & Energy
Introduction
Agriculture is fundamentally a process to convert solar energy to usable products for humans. This process ran exclusively on renewable energy for millennia, utilizing human labor, animal power, water and wind energy. Such systems produced a consistent net energy output when comparing the calories used to produce the crop versus the calories embedded in the crop itself. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, mechanical power began to be introduced into agriculture. In the first half of the 20th century, chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides were developed and became widely used. Both mechanization and agrichemicals rely largely on fossil fuels, which are the accumulation of energy stored over long periods of time. Thus, virtually all modern farm systems have become dependent on non-renewable energy, a shift that will challenge long-term sustainability. In addition to energy questions on the farm, large amounts of non-renewable energy are used in processing, distribution, and storage. For many people, the food system of today is completely reliant on an uninterrupted source of fossil fuels to run it.
The energy component of sustainable agriculture is receiving increased attention. With more focus on renewable energy at the national level, agriculture is viewed as an important partner. Ethanol, biodiesel, biomass, methane and wind represent significant renewable energy opportunities that can also provide new economic benefits to farm families and communities. The WSU Energy Program is a leader in renewable energy education. WSU researchers are developing improved processes for anaerobic digestion which can capture methane from dairy farms that is normally lost to the atmosphere, and convert it into heat or electricity. Northwest SEED and Climate Solutions are two groups in the region working on renewable energy. Researchers at the University of Idaho have tested the use of biodiesel from rapeseed and other crops in engines, and are studying engine performance, wear, and emissions. Efforts to expand local markets for food reduce the requirement for transportation energy and have the beneficial effect of providing fresher products to consumers. The Food Miles program is an example of a food labeling scheme that helps consumers find more local products.
As oil supplies decline in the coming decades, agriculture will be reshaped by the need for more renewable energy produced in a sustainable manner. CSANR is partnering with faculty within WSU and with other organizations to develop new projects on agriculture and energy.
BIOEnergy
The CSANR Triple BIO™ program is a source of information for biofuels (such as biodiesel) and high-value bioproducts.
The CSANR Climate Friendly Farming project is a source of information for irrigated and dryland cropping systems (including the Paterson Biofuel Variety Trials), anaerobic digestion / methane, and greenhouse gas implications of biofuels.
WSU Resources
WSU Energy Program. Based in Olympia, WA, the Energy Program is active in promoting renewable energy and energy conservation, and is exploring potential renewable energy solutions that can come from agricultural and rural areas.
Anaerobic Digestion Research. Dr. Shulin Chen, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering, is researching new designs and processes for anaerobic digestion of animal manure. Methane is a renewable energy source that results from this process.
Other Resources
Northwest S.E.E.D. is a regional non-profit organization working to develop renewable energy supplies that can also provide new economic opportunities for farms and rural communities.Climate Solutions is a regional non-profit organization working to expand renewable energy use as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that can potentially lead to unpredictable climate changes.
Environment and Energy Study Institute, a policy group based in Washington, DC, has been working on renewable energy issues for over two decades.
US Dept. of Agriculture. The 2002 Farm Bill authorized an Energy title that enables the USDA to devleop programs for expansion of renewable energy from agricultural sources.
US Dept. of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center . The US Dept. of Energy has a number of renewable energy programs, including a focus on alternative fuels such as ethanol and vegetable oils to substitute for petroleum.
University of Idaho biodiesel home page. The University of Idaho has been a leader in the development of biodiesel from rapeseed and mustard crops for nearly 20 years, conducting extensive research on their performance in engines.
ATTRA energy information products. ATTRA is a public information clearinghouse for sustainable agriculture that has information pertaining to agriculture and renewable energy.
American Coalition for Ethanol. ACE unites all types of commodity organizations, rural electric cooperatives, ethanol producers, grain cooperatives, businesses, and individuals to promote and expand the development of the ethanol industry.
American Wind Energy Association. AWEA represents wind power plant developers, wind turbine manufacturers, utilities, consultants, insurers, financiers, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry and promotes wind energy as a clean source of electricity for consumers around the world.
Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. CRFA is a non-profit organization that promotes renewable bio-fuels (ethanol, biodiesel) for automotive transportation through consumer awareness and government liaison activities.
"Eating Oil: Food Supply in a Changing Climate”. An interesting report from Britain on the reliance of the current food system on oil.