Agriculture and construction are significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 37% of the total. Agriculture alone contributes 12% and faces the challenge of meeting growing food demands while reducing its environmental footprint. This article discusses how green hydrogen can support sustainable agricultural practices.
Examples of sustainable agriculture with green hydrogen
While renewable energy sources can fulfill most of a farm’s energy requirements, some operations, such as running heavy machinery or heating systems, need an additional solution. Green hydrogen plays a crucial role as a complement to renewable energy, fostering sustainable development. Below are examples of how green hydrogen is promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.
Emission-free agricultural machinery
Tractors, harvesters, and other heavy machinery traditionally use fossil fuels like diesel due to the current limitations of electric batteries. Green hydrogen provides an alternative, enabling emissions-free operation of agricultural machinery.
There are two ways to utilize green hydrogen in heavy machinery:
- Direct combustion: Using green hydrogen in combustion engines as a substitute for natural gas.
- Fuel Cells: Employing hydrogen fuel cells to convert hydrogen into electricity to power electric motors.
For instance, researchers at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) have developed a hydrogen-powered tractor prototype that uses a fuel cell to charge a 14 kWh battery. This innovation eliminates carbon emissions, producing only water vapor as a byproduct. Major manufacturers are also exploring similar technologies to transition agricultural machinery away from fossil fuels.
More sustainable fertilizers
The Haber-Bosch process, which produces ammonia for fertilizers, currently relies on energy-intensive processes involving fossil fuels and emitting COâ‚‚. Integrating green hydrogen into this process can significantly reduce emissions. By using green hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, the environmental impact of fertilizers can be minimized. Additionally, the shift towards organic fertilizers made from biodegradable materials helps reduce dependency on synthetic products with high carbon footprints.
One of the world’s largest potato chip manufacturers has partnered with a fertilizer producer to source fertilizers made with green hydrogen, greatly reducing COâ‚‚ emissions in potato farming and promoting a more sustainable supply chain.
Heating and irrigation systems
Green hydrogen can replace diesel or natural gas for providing heat in greenhouses and livestock facilities, especially in areas where solar or wind energy is insufficient. It can also power irrigation systems and well water pumps. A pilot project in Ontario, Canada, is using green hydrogen from wind energy to heat greenhouses, enabling agricultural production during harsh winters without relying on fossil fuels.
The era of energy self-sufficiency
Green hydrogen, produced through renewable energy and water electrolysis, has the potential to make farms more sustainable and self-reliant. Installing small electrolyzers on-site with solar panels and wind turbines can help farms meet their energy needs independently, reducing reliance on external power grids. For more information on renewable energy sources like wave energy or blue energy, subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page.
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