Reduction of Energy Intensity in Broiler Facilities: Methodology and Strategies

Frontiers in Veterinary Science

Dimitrios Fidaros¹  Catherine Baxevanou¹  Eleftherios Bonos²  Ioannis Skoufos²  Ilias Giannenas³ 

[1] Center for Research and Technology – Hellas, Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology, Volos, Greece;Laboratory of Animal Production, Nutrition, and Biotechnology, Department of Agriculture, School of Agriculture, University of Ioannina, Arta, Greece;Laboratory of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece;

关键词: energy audit;    energy save;    renewable energy sources;    poultry houses;    broiler chicken farms;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fvets.2021.671183

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Broiler facilities consume a lot of energy resulting in natural source depletion and greater greenhouse gas emissions. A way to assess the energy performance of a broiler facility is through an energy audit. In the present paper, an energy protocol for an energy audit is presented covering both phases of data collection and data elaboration. The operational rating phase is analytically and extendedly described while a complete mathematical model is proposed for the asset rating phase. The developed energy audit procedure was applied to poultry chambers located in lowland and mountainous areas of Epirus Greece for chambers of various sizes and technology levels. The energy intensity indices varied from 46 to 89 kWh/m2 of chamber area 0.25–0.48 kWh/kg of produced meat or 0.36–1.3 kWh/bird depending on the chamber technology level (insulation, automation, etc.) and the location where the unit was installed. The biggest energy consumer was heating followed by energy consumption for ventilation and cooling. An advanced technology level can improve energy performance by ~ 27%−31%. Proper insulation (4–7 cm) can offer a reduction of thermal energy consumption between 10 and 35%. In adequately insulated chambers, the basic heat losses are due to ventilation. Further energy savings can be achieved with more precise ventilation control. Automation can offer additional electrical energy saving for cooling and ventilation (15–20%). Energy-efficient lights can offer energy saving up to 5%. The use of photovoltaic (PV) technology is suggested mainly in areas where net-metering holds. The use of wind turbines is feasible only when adequate wind potential is available. Solar thermal energy is recommended in combination with a heat pump if the unit's heating and cooling systems use hot/cold water or air. Finally, the local production of biogas with anaerobic fermentation for producing thermal or electrical energy, or cogenerating both, is a choice that should be studied individually for each farm.

【 授权许可】

Unknown