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Renewable Energy Integration into Agricultural and Food Engineering

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A: Sustainable Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 6396

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Tilahun Seyoum Workneh

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Guest Editor

School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Interests: renewable energy; food engineering; food science and technology; environmental control

Dr. Alaika Kassim

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Guest Editor

Bioresources Engineering, School of Engineering, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Interests: renewable energy; food engineering; food science and technology; postharvest technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the transformative role of renewable energy in modernizing agricultural and food engineering systems. It integrates renewable energy technologies into agricultural machinery, food processing equipment, and supply chain operations to improve energy efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. This Special Issue seeks to pave the way for a cleaner, more resilient agricultural future by addressing key challenges and showcasing innovative solutions.

The objectives of this Special Issue are as follows:

To explore advancements in renewable energy-powered agricultural machinery and food processing equipment;
To assess the role of renewable energy in decarbonizing agricultural and food supply chains;
To examine energy-efficient solutions that enhance the productivity and sustainability of agricultural and food systems;
To highlight the economic, environmental, and operational benefits of integrating renewable energy across the supply chain;
To present real-world applications, case studies, and pilot projects demonstrating renewable energy innovations.

Renewable Energy Integration in Agricultural Machinery and Equipment:

Renewable energy-powered tractors, ploughs, and harvesters;
Solar and wind-powered machinery for planting, seeding, and tillage;
Battery storage and hybrid systems for off-grid agricultural equipment.

Renewable Energy in Food Processing and Preservation Equipment:

Solar-powered milling, grinding, and processing machines;
Renewable energy integration in industrial food production lines;
Bioenergy and solar-powered food preservation technologies such as cold storage, freezing, and drying.

Renewable Energy Across the Supply Chain:

Solar and wind-powered logistics and transportation systems for agricultural products;
Renewable energy solutions for warehouse management and inventory systems;
Decentralized renewable energy systems for powering rural supply chain networks.

Post-Harvest Management with Renewable Energy:

Renewable-powered systems for grain drying, milling, and husking;
Applications of solar, biogas, and hybrid systems for post-harvest mechanization;
Reducing post-harvest losses using renewable energy in storage and distribution.

Renewable Energy-Powered Aquaculture Systems:

Solar aerators and pumps for aquaculture tanks and ponds;
Renewable energy integration in feed processing and storage for aquaculture;
Energy-efficient cooling and heating systems for fish and seafood processing.

Digitalization and Automation in Energy Integration:

IoT-enabled renewable energy management systems for agricultural equipment;
Smart sensors and AI are used to optimize renewable energy usage in processing lines;
Renewable-powered robotics for harvesting and packaging operations.

Supply Chain Decarbonization

Life-cycle analysis of renewable energy integration across agricultural supply chains;
Renewable energy for packaging, labelling, and distribution equipment;
Innovations in carbon-neutral logistics and delivery systems.

Emerging Technologies and Future Directions:

Renewable-powered precision farming drones and autonomous systems;
Innovations in hydrogen fuel cells for agricultural equipment;
Advanced bioenergy systems for multi-functional agricultural applications.

Case Studies and Best Practices:

Success stories of renewable energy-powered processing plants and equipment;
Regional case studies on renewable energy adoption in agricultural machinery;
Comparative analyses of renewable energy integration models across different countries.

Prof. Dr. Tilahun Seyoum Workneh
Dr. Alaika Kassim
Guest Editors

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Keywords

renewable energy
food processing
cooling
drying
supply chain decarbonization
renewable-powered machinery
solar energy
wind energy
biomass energy
bioenergy
hydrogen energy
energy-efficient equipment
cold chain management
solar drying
sustainable agriculture
climate-smart farming

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 6570 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research into the Energy Potential of Vine Pruning Residues in Western Serbia

by Aleksandar Ašonja, Sunčica Vještica, Aleksandar Bošković, Svetlana Živković Radeta, Mirjana Ćeranić, Zoran Jovanović and Siniša Škrbić

Energies 2025, 18(24), 6384; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18246384 - 5 Dec 2025

Viewed by 200

Abstract

Research and practice experience have shown that in the Republic of Serbia, vine pruning residues (VPRs) from vineyard production are mostly partially ploughed or uncontrollably burned in fields. Uncontrolled burning of VPRs in fields can destroy flora and fauna and cause uncontrolled fires. On the other hand, on an annual basis, the resulting VPRs can completely replace the fossil fuels used for thermal energy production on these estates and significantly reduce the emission of pollutants from fossil fuels. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that the research was conducted on a very young vineyard, four years old, and the results show that the agricultural property is fully sustainable in terms of thermal energy needs. The research aimed to investigate the energy potential of VPRs at the vineyard located in the Mrčić settlement in Western Serbia. The research results include the following grape varieties: Tamjanika, Morava, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The average yield of VPR biomass for all tested varieties was 0.387 kg/vine or 1741.50 kg/ha. The lower calorific values for the tested biomass samples at 15% moisture content ranged from 14,668 kJ/kg to 14,258 kJ/kg, while the upper values ranged from 16,099 kJ/kg to 15,721 kJ/kg. The total energy potential of biomass obtained from a vineyard, expressed in final energy, was 41.90 MWh/year. In the observed vineyard, for the same equivalent value, biomass from VPRs was 3.57 times cheaper compared to brown coal and 8.26 times cheaper compared to diesel fuel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Integration into Agricultural and Food Engineering)

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24 pages, 6756 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Assessment Framework for Rice Yield and Energy Yield in Bifacial Agrivoltaic Systems

by Seokhun Yoo and Kyungsoo Lee

Energies 2025, 18(23), 6359; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18236359 - 4 Dec 2025

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Abstract

Agrivoltaic (APV) systems co-locate agricultural production and photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation on the same land to maximize land use efficiency. This study proposes an integrated assessment framework that jointly evaluates crop yield and electricity generation in APV systems. Unlike many previous APV studies that estimated crop responses from empirical PAR–photosynthesis relationships, this framework explicitly couples a process-based rice growth model (DSSAT-CERES-Rice) with irradiance and PV performance simulations (Honeybee-Radiance and PVlib) in a single workflow. The five-stage framework comprises (i) meteorological data acquisition and processing; (ii) 3D modeling in Rhinoceros; (iii) calculation of module front and rear irradiance and crop height irradiance using Honeybee; (iv) crop yield calculation with DSSAT; and (v) electricity generation calculation with PVlib. Using bifacial PV modules under rice cultivation in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do (Republic of Korea), simulations were performed with ground coverage ratio (GCR) and PV array azimuth as key design variables. As GCR increased from 20% to 50%, crop yield reduction (CYR) rose from 12% to 33%, while land equivalent ratio (LER) increased from 128% to 158%. To keep CYR within the domestic guideline of 20% while maximizing land use, designs with GCR ≤ 30% were found to be appropriate. At GCR 30%, CYR of 17–18% and LER of 139–140% were achieved, securing a balance between agricultural productivity and electricity generation. Although PV array azimuth had a limited impact on crop yield and electricity generation, southeast or southwest orientations showed more uniform irradiance distributions over the field than due south. A simple economic assessment was also conducted for the study site to compare total annual net income from rice and PV across GCR scenarios. The proposed framework can be applied to other crops and sites and supports design-stage decisions that jointly consider crop yield, electricity generation, and economic viability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Integration into Agricultural and Food Engineering)

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16 pages, 1332 KB

Open AccessArticle

Resource Use Efficiency and Environmental Impacts in Strawberry Production: An Energy–Exergy Analysis

by Müjdat Öztürk, Ramazan Kayabaşı, Hasan Yildizhan and Arman Ameen

Energies 2025, 18(21), 5572; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215572 - 23 Oct 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 735

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive sustainability assessment of open field strawberry production in Batman, Türkiye, utilizing thermodynamic-based analyses. The inputs used during the production phase were obtained through survey data collected from local farms over the past few growing seasons. This study is the first to provide an integrated energy, exergy, and environmental assessment of open-field strawberry production in the Batman region, offering novel insights into resource efficiency and sustainability evaluation in agricultural systems. The evaluation was conducted for a functional unit of one ton of strawberries by analysing the cumulative energy consumption (CEnC), cumulative exergy consumption (CExC), and cumulative carbon dioxide emissions (CCO₂E). The total CEnC was calculated to be 1207.8 MJ/ton, with nitrogen fertilizer (390.91 MJ/ton) and diesel fuel (229.67 MJ/ton) being the most significant inputs. The total CExC was 1919.82 MJ/ton, where farmyard manure (1170.19 MJ/ton) was the dominant contributor, accounting for approximately 61% of the total. The total carbon footprint (CCO₂E) was determined to be 41.43 kg/ton, with irrigation water (10.19 kg/ton) and farmyard manure (10.14 kg/ton) being the primary sources. Key sustainability indicators, the Cumulative Degree of Perfection (CDP) and Renewability Indicator (RI), were calculated as 1.34 and 0.26, respectively. The CDP value is notably higher than that of other open field strawberry studies, while the low RI value indicates a heavy reliance on non-renewable resources. The findings highlight that improving sustainability requires a focus on efficient manure management and reducing fossil fuel-based energy consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Integration into Agricultural and Food Engineering)

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17 pages, 2532 KB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of South African Woody and Non-Woody Invasive Alien Plant Species for Sustainable Bio-Oil Production

by Bongiwe Mtshali, Alaika Kassim, Sipho Sibanda and Tilahun Workneh

Energies 2025, 18(8), 1919; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18081919 - 9 Apr 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 876

Abstract

Bio-oil energy use in agricultural systems provides sustainable solutions for powering machinery operations and heating and cooling environments in facilities. However, its potential in South Africa is constrained by the limited availability of energy substrate that does not compromise food production, land use, and water resources. This study investigated the physical and chemical properties of six invasive alien plant species (IAPs), three woody species (Acacia mearnsii, Eucalyptus grandis, and Pinus patula), and three nonwoody species (Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, and Solanum mauritianum) to assess their suitability for bio-oil production. Key analyses included structural, elemental, proximate, atomic ratio, higher heating value (HHV), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analyses. The results showed that woody IAPs had a significantly higher structural composition (p < 0.05), improving bio-oil yield. The bio-oil can be blended with diesel for agricultural use, while lignin-derived biochar serves as a soil amendment. Higher carbon and hydrogen contents enhanced HHV and combustion, while lower nitrogen and sulfur levels reduced emissions. Despite oxygen hindering pyrolysis, its bioactive properties support crop protection. Compared to South African coal, IAP-derived bio-oil shares similarities with peat coal and could be used for greenhouse heating. This study promotes energy efficiency in agriculture, reduces fossil fuel dependence, and supports environmental sustainability by repurposing IAPs. Additional studies should focus on lignin pretreatment and bio-oil upgrading to reduce oxygenated compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Integration into Agricultural and Food Engineering)

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36 pages, 2131 KB

Open AccessReview

Biogas Production in Agriculture: Technological, Environmental, and Socio-Economic Aspects

by Krzysztof Pilarski, Agnieszka A. Pilarska and Michał B. Pietrzak

Energies 2025, 18(21), 5844; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215844 - 5 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 941

Abstract

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the technological, environmental, economic, regulatory, and social dimensions shaping the development and operation of agricultural biogas plants. The paper adopts a primarily European perspective, reflecting the comparatively high share of agricultural inputs in anaerobic digestion (AD) across EU Member States, while drawing selective comparisons with global contexts to indicate where socio-geographical conditions may lead to different outcomes. It outlines core principles of the AD process and recent innovations—such as enzyme supplementation, microbial carriers, and multistage digestion systems—that enhance process efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The study emphasises substrate optimisation involving both crop- and livestock-derived materials, together with the critical management of water resources and digestate within a circular-economy framework to promote sustainability and minimise environmental risks. Economic viability, regulatory frameworks, and social dynamics are examined as key factors underpinning successful biogas implementation. The paper synthesises evidence on cost–benefit performance, investment drivers, regulatory challenges, and support mechanisms, alongside the importance of community engagement and participatory governance to mitigate land-use conflicts and ensure equitable rural development. Finally, it addresses persistent technical, institutional, environmental, and social barriers that constrain biogas deployment, underscoring the need for integrated solutions that combine technological advances with policy support and stakeholder cooperation. This analysis offers practical insights for advancing sustainable biogas use in agriculture, balancing energy production with environmental stewardship, food security, and rural equity. The review is based on literature identified in Scopus and Web of Science for 2007 to 2025 using predefined keyword sets and supplemented by EU policy and guidance documents and backward- and forward-citation searches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Integration into Agricultural and Food Engineering)

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42 pages, 8471 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Comprehensive Evaluation of Agrivoltaics Research: Breadth, Depth, and Insights for Future Research

by Kai Lepley, Hanna Fields, Chong Seok Choi, Thomas Hickey, Benny Towner, Brittany Staie, James McCall, Julia Chamberland and Jordan Macknick

Energies 2025, 18(17), 4776; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18174776 - 8 Sep 2025

Viewed by 2922

Abstract

Agrivoltaics integrates agricultural production with solar energy generation to address challenges related to land use, food security, and renewable energy development. This study provides the most comprehensive evaluation to date of global agrivoltaic research, aiming to classify the literature, identify strengths and gaps, and guide future work. We systematically screened over 3000 English-language publications through 2023 for relevant agrivoltaic publications. A total of 670 studies were categorized in the InSPIRE Data Portal across five agrivoltaic activities and multiple hierarchical themes, including physical, biological, technological, social, and crosscutting domains. We found that research was concentrated on crop production, microclimate dynamics, and PV performance, with gaps in areas like human health, wildlife, policy, and standardized methodologies. Although the U.S. emphasizes animal grazing and habitat-based systems in practice, most U.S.-based studies focused disproportionately on crop production. The analysis revealed uneven geographic and topical representation and highlighted a lack of integrated, interdisciplinary approaches. This study concludes that while agrivoltaic research has grown rapidly, more coordinated efforts could support standardized data collection, address overlooked ecological and social impacts, and align research focus with real-world system implementation, ultimately improving the scalability and successful deployment of agrivoltaic systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Integration into Agricultural and Food Engineering)

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Special Issue Information

Renewable Energy Integration in Agricultural Machinery and Equipment:

Renewable Energy in Food Processing and Preservation Equipment:

Renewable Energy Across the Supply Chain:

Post-Harvest Management with Renewable Energy:

Renewable Energy-Powered Aquaculture Systems:

Digitalization and Automation in Energy Integration:

Supply Chain Decarbonization

Emerging Technologies and Future Directions:

Case Studies and Best Practices:

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Review

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