Research Reports
A Study on the Type of Clean Energy Utilized in Agricultural Sector
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AuthorPark, Hyuntae
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Publication Date2011.11.30
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Original
Clean energy can be used for farming activities and replace fossil fuels. In Korea, geothermal and air source heat pumps, biogas plants, and wood pellets are currently available for use in the agriculture sector. These energy sources are expected to play an important role in the future as they can provide direct and indirect benefits in terms of economy, productivity, and environmental aspects.
The main goal of this research is to analyze the current shape of clean energy use in the agricultural sector and find out problems of management through research and case studies. Also, we present a few suggestions to improve the production and use system.
The government plans to expand the use of clean energy as an alternative energy source to replace fossil fuels and, as part of this plan, it is promoting various pilot projects and policies such as the low-carbon green growth policy.
According to a survey of farmers, the economy of geothermal and air source heat pumps is higher than that of the currently used fuels. The survey has also found that although wood pellets are economically infeasible because of high raw material cost, they are more effective in improving productivity and quality.
However, there is a problem in that the initial installation cost is high due to lack of technical skills related to construction and operation, and the effect of its use is highly uncertain. Especially because there is no infrastructure for installation, operation, and follow-up control of clean energy facilities, the production and use of clean energy is limited.
Therefore, efficient support policies are most important to maximize clean energy utilization.
First of all, the opportunity to participate in alternative energy projects should be expanded by increasing the support scale of the central and provincial governments. Also, government support should be focused on lowering the initial raw material and installation cost and developing clean energy technology rather than on machinery and equipment.
The economic feasibility of operating a clean energy facility should also be raised by increasing the technology level through research and development. And it is necessary to foster a professional supplier who can build a batch system for overall operation of the facilities from integrated design and construction to farm monitoring and after-sales services.
Finally, in order to maximize the use of clean energy in agricultural and rural sectors, it is necessary to develop renewable energy systems that are unique to a region. The self-sufficient resource-recycling agriculture that best uses local resources can produce ripple effects in downstream and upstream sectors of the economy, including not only reduction of carbon dioxide but also increase in energy security, stimulation of local economy, creation of jobs, and protection of the environment.
Researchers: Hyun-Tae Park, Hye-Sung Han
Research Period: 2011. 1~2011. 11.
E-mail address: htpark@krei.re.kr, funny1978@krei.re.kr
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