International Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Sciences (IJEES) Vol. 2 (2): 65-68 (2012) _____________________________________________________________________________________________
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES – BENEFIT FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Marina Petrovska1, Dejan Filiposki2, Svetlana Petrovska3 1
Institute of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture and Food, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius”, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia 2-3 CeProSARD, Center for promotion of sustainable agricultural practices and rural development, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Email:
[email protected] Received March , 2012; Accepted June, 2012
ABSTRACT The agricultural sector is of great importance for the Republic of Macedonia. It covers 10% of the total GDP and about 20% of the total employees in the country. Today, farmers face difficulties in achieving efficient production and selling their products on the international markets. The reasons are numerous, and the most important are climate changes (high temperatures, floods, and droughts), international agricultural policies and competitiveness between farmers. These challenges are the reason to ask “how to improve conditions in the agricultural production and thereby to increase the benefit of farmers”. Therefore, this paper aims to emphasize the necessity of using renewable energy sources and energy efficiency implementation in the agricultural sector in the Republic of Macedonia. The purpose is to increase the awareness of farmers that the properly utilisation of energy and environmental friendly practices can increase the efficiency of production and provide bigger benefits.The research gives an explanation in terms of energy efficiency and different types of renewable sources of energy, followed by the possibilities for their implementation. The survey is based on the analysis made on the existing farms and the use of efficient and environmental friendly energies in different agricultural sub-sectors in the country. At the end, the use of those technologies is explained and confirmed, not only with economic benefit for farmers, but also with benefit to the whole environment. Keywords: Agricultural sector, economic benefit, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, Republic of Macedonia. INTRODUCTION Republic of Macedonia is agricultural oriented country which confirms the significant importance of this sector. The agricultural sector has positive impact on Macedonian’s economy through increasing Gross Domestic Product and minimising unemployment rate in the country. In 2010, for example, agriculture contributes with 10% in the total GDP and covers about 20% of the total number of employees in the country (SSO, 2011). Almost 41% of the country’s total area is agricultural land (1.121.000ha) and consist of 509.000ha cultivated land and 611.000ha pastures (SSO, 2011). Unfortunately, today, around 30% of arable land has been left uncultivated (Dimitrievski et al, 2010).In respect to the environment, pollution is constantly increasing. One reason is utilization of old technologies and enormous use of certain inputs (fertilizers, oil and chemicals for protection of crops and livestock) for more intensive production. As a consequence, farmers face difficulties in achieving efficiency and competitiveness on the foreign markets. This is confirmed by the statistical analysis that show negative trade balance obtained as a result of share of agro-food products of 12% total exports compared with 14% total imports in 2010 (Dimitrievski et al, 2010). On the other side, process of intensification contributes to degradation of fertile soils and contamination of crops and livestock. This is one more reason for bringing new decisions and alternative methods of production that will satisfied consumers’ requests and will follow world regulations and policies for a healthy food and environmental friendly production.
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Marina Petrovska1, Dejan Filiposki2, Svetlana Petrovska3 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MATERIAL AND METHODS Utilization of certain energy sources is necessary for efficient agricultural production. In the Republic of Macedonia main source of energy is electricity. Electricity production has total capacity of around 1540MW, from which 67.5% are produced by thermal power plants working on coal, and the other 34.3% are produced by hydropower plants. The country is energy dependent and imports 26% of the total energy, while the remaining 74% are from own production (Energici, 2010). The other energy sources used in agriculture are biomass (mostly wood for heating) and oil derivatives.To reduce consumption and imports of electricity, and subsequently, to influence on minimising environmental pollution, new alternatives are required and some of them are energy efficiency measures (EE) and renewable energy sources (RES). They contribute to reduce production and living costs, but also improve economic conditions in rural areas. In the last few years, utilization of RES and EE is supported by the Macedonian Governments’ policy through the Ministry of Economy and Energy Agency. It is based on implementing measures and regulations in accordance with EU lows. The analysis show that utilization of RES is expected to rise on 21.5% until 2020 (Dimitrievski and Kotevska, 2009). The agricultural sector in the Republic of Macedonia has favourable conditions to use hydropower, biomass, geothermal, solar and wind energy. Hydropower, as one renewable energy source, is used in hydropower plants for electricity production. Best location for placement of hydropower plants (HPP) is in the western part of the country, where most of the existing HPP are already placed. Big hydro potential represents the biggest river in RM, river Vardar. The entire hydropower potential of all water basins is around 5150GWh from which only 1470GWh or 26% are used today (MANU, 2010). Biomass is considered as CO2 neutral fuel because through the whole growing period plants consume the same amount of CO2 as it is release while biomass burning. This type of energy is used mostly in the rural areas as solid fuel for heating purposes, while by processing it can be transformed in biogas and biodiesel (gas and liquid fuel). 430000 households or 76% are using biomass for heating their houses, satisfying around 30-33% of the entire energy demand (MANU, 2010). The annual biomass potential is 1700GWh, from which 17% are forestry biomass and the remaining 83% is from agriculture. The agricultural biomass originates from crops residuals (cereals and industrial crops, vineyards and orchards residuals with capacity of more than 153000 tons and straw, which is not used for other agricultural purposes, with capacity of 159000 tons per year). Since breading livestock represent an important part in the Macedonian agricultural sector, manures from the livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry) has high share in the total biomass with capacity of 5500000t/year (Dimitrovski, 2009). Geothermal sources are available in the Kocani region, in the southeast Macedonia. There are 18 geothermal fields with more than 50 sources with total capacity of 1000l/s and temperature of 20-780C. In 2001 the total capacity of geothermal energy was 21ktoe. Unfortunately, the utilization of this capacity is reduced, and in 2006 reached 9ktoe (MANU, 2010).There are a lot of possibilities for utilization of solar energy in the Republic of Macedonia. Location and climate in RM allows utilization of average 1385kWh/m2 sun radiation (MANU, 2010). With 20002400 sunny hours through the period of whole year and average radiation of 3.8kW/m2 (which is by 20% more than many EU countries), Macedonia have a potential of yearly energy production from around 10GWh. This would satisfy around 75 to 80% from total annual demand of hot water (Analitica, 2008). Today, wind energy become more and more interesting for utilization. Bigger part of country’s surface is characterised with relief configuration that allows utilization of wind potential for installation of wind power plants near the river Vardar, Povardarie, Ovce Pole and Sveti Nikole, as well as on high mountains with strong wind. From all possible locations a very small part allows installation of wind power plants on altitude lower than 1000m as a reason of low wind speeds. Therefore, the best utilization of wind energy in the agricultural sector is by mechanical wind mills mostly used for water pumping.The exploitation of RES and EE has certain impact on the agricultural sector of the Republic of Macedonia. Therefore, the research focuses on consequences of their use. For that reason, two questionnaires were made for farmers in different areas of the country. The first one covers questions regarding utilization of RES and implementation of EE measures. Here, 207 farmers responded on the questionnaire. The second one includes questions for RES and waste treatment on farms. The results show answers of 100 respondents. At the end, farmers who have implemented RES and EE on their farms were separately interviewed. The purpose was to get information regarding the benefits from utilization of these alternative technologies.The survey aims to emphasize the necessity of using renewable energy sources and energy efficiency implementation. The purpose is to increase the awareness of farmers that the properly utilisation of energy and environmental friendly practices can increase the efficiency of production and at the same time provide economic benefits. RESULTS
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International Journal of Ecosystems and Ecology Sciences (IJEES) Vol. 2 (2): 65-68 (2012) _____________________________________________________________________________________________ The results are based on 307 questionnaires of farms with different production, located in 5 regions in the country (Skopje, Bitola, Gostivar, Strumica and Kocani). 50% from respondents have around 35-50 year and 57% of farmers are with high school education and only 26% have reached university degree. Beside, 70% from the respondents answered that are familiar with the term RES, but bigger part of them (around 90%) do not use RES and EE, do not know the way of their exploitation and benefit from that. Energy efficiency in the Republic of Macedonia became known after increasing fuel and energy prices. The survey show that farmers are not familiar with the benefit of implementation of energy efficiency measures (50% from respondents have only hearth of that). It is important to be known that, energy efficiency represents minimization of fuel and energy consumption (consequently lowering the price of production), but at the same time commodity retaining within the building (normal functioning of the object). Measures that should be undertaken to implement EE, consist not only in isolation of objects, but also in using EE devices and lights, improving heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and using RES. Unfortunately, 90% do not implement any EE measure.The results show that only two farms have implemented EE measures and they both confirm the benefit. The first farm is for poultry production, and the second one is pig’s farm. Implemented measures consist of: objects isolation, change in some part of HVAC systems, change in HVAC operating mode, and change in energy and oil types used for heating. After implementation, the results show savings in energy and oil quantities, reduction of feed consumed, and at the same time increasing in livestock growth. Neither of those farm use RES. Despite this, the analysis shows that the implementation of RES will maximise the benefits through minimising production costs and profit increasing. Hydropower –Hydro potential of water can be used in agriculture in two ways. The first one is for electricity production, usually for producer’s needs. In the country, this way almost does not exist in the agricultural sector. The second one is for production of mechanical energy in the agricultural sector. This kind of energy was used in the past, and its usage is still provided with mills for grinding grains, or for pumping water in higher mountain areas.Today, this kind of energy used is also very rare and watermills are usually used only as a tourist attraction. Biomass – Biomass is the most implemented energy source in the Republic of Macedonia. Usually, it is used as solid fuel for producing of heating energy. While cultivating the arable land, a lot of residuals from agricultural crops are left on fields as waste biomass. In order to solve the problem without any additional costs, farmers burned the biomass on the spot of its creation. In that way, waste biomass was a risk of fires occurrence and oil degradation. Moreover, it contaminated the soil and had negative impact on biodiversity. Therefore, the Government has established a regulation regarding waste biomass treatment by which farmers have to find a place for disposal of waste biomass. To comply with Governmental regulations farmers have started with mechanical processing of biomass in solid fuel which is easier for transport and utilization. Some farmers who were involved in this survey use medium and small machinery for briquettes and pellets production. This kind of solid fuels are used for farmers own consumption or for market sale. They process waste biomass which is output from their primary production and find out that processed biomass is economic for transportation and can be solved with bigger market price. The analysis show that price for pellets production is around 50-60eur, and its market price is 200-220eur. The price of briquettes production from waste straw (which is available in big quantities in RM) is 60-70eur, and their market price is 260eur. However, because of bigger benefit, many farms involved in the survey prefer utilization of biomass for own needs, than sale it on the market.On the other hand, there were few farms in Macedonia that produced and used biogas, made of waste plant and animal residuals from their own production. Unfortunately, their utilisation was not efficient because of the limited experience, but also the profitability was low because of low price of electricity in the country.The first biodiesel producer in the Republic of Macedonia has started in 2007 with production capacity of 30000t/year. In the agricultural sector there are few small producers who use biodiesel for their own needs. Nowadays, this branch is continuing to develop because of increased fuel prices. Geothermal energy – Geothermal energy in the agricultural production sector is present only for greenhouses heating in Kocani region. A big unutilised potential of geothermal energy due to complex implementation activities, but partly because of sufficient information obtained by farmers. Solar energy – Most of the analysed farmers use solar of energy for production of hot water with solar panels. Usually, solar panels are installed on livestock farms (cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry) and farms for manufacturing fruits and vegetables. One interview was conducted with farmer who has installed solar panel on cattle farm. The analysis show that the investment returns for 2-3 years, and the farmer has many types of benefit, for example: better hygienic conditions in objects, disinfection of containers for milk transport, hot sanitary water for workers and farmers who live on the farm.The benefit from usage of solar panel is also confirmed in the industry for manufacturing fruits and vegetables. The reason is that manufacturing industry needs huge amount of hot water. The investment return was not bigger than 4 years. A part of manufacturing fruits and vegetables industry consist of drying agricultural products. It has a new trend of production, utilisation of solar energy for drying agricultural
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Marina Petrovska1, Dejan Filiposki2, Svetlana Petrovska3 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
products. The benefit is seen in minimisation of production costs (costs for energy used for drying) and their reduction depends on the type of product for drying. Wind energy – Utilisation of wind energy in agriculture is still challenge for farmers. All installed windmills (5-10) are used for electricity production and produce no more than 6kW. However, the most profitable is utilization of wind energy for water pumping. It is conducted by windmills that do not require high wind speeds, have simple construction and are cheaper for about 50%. Procurement of the first windmill for water pumping on crop farm is in process. It has capacity of 50000l/day for satisfying irrigation needs for about 8-10ha by using drop by drop irrigation system. Previously, a tractor was used for irrigation purposes which resulted with much water and fuel consumption. The tractor was full time engaged in this activity and fuel costs were 30000eur/year excluding labour and maintenance costs. The estimates show that the investment will be returned for two seasons. At the end, benefits are not just economic, but also utilisation of wind energy has positive impact on the environment and biodiversity (by production of plants that need more water). CONCLUSION Utilisation of RES and application of EE measures are implemented in developed countries. In this regard, developing countries are still in the first stadium of their implementation. Republic of Macedonia as developing country has a small number of farms that have applied these environmentally friendly technologies. Their analysis shows achievement of positive results. Multiple benefits that are perceived by using RES and EE measures can be analysed through economic, social and environmental aspects. Using RES and EE measures contribute to achieving economic benefits through minimising production costs, achieving a higher price of certain products, and increasing the production quantity. Adherence to required standards and regulations in production allows achieving more competitive products and their sale on big foreign markets. At the same time, this kind of production is encouraged through subsidising farmers funded by Governmental and IPARD funds. At the moment, in process is the last face of implementing measure for subsidising farmers who use RES. This is expected to give additional incentive for investment in RES and EE as environmentally friendly technologies. Social aspects are seen through increasing the employment of rural population and development of rural areas. This process allows sustainability of individual farms, and therefore rural development, minimising migration of rural population into big cities and survival of villages in the country. Consequently, utilisation of RES influence on reduction of farm waste which represent one of the biggest problem because farmers have to find a solution for its disposal. In this way, waste residuals of plants and livestock manures can bring additional profit for farmers.In terms of environmental aspect, utilisation of RES and EE measures contribute to reduction of environmental pollution. This happens through minimising energy and fuel consumption which influence on minimising CO2 and other emissions. Indirectly, all this influence in mitigating climate change and minimising risk of appearance of different heart and lung diseases in humans and animals. Finally, the survey show that knowledge of the benefits of using RES and implementation of EE measures is still challenge in the agricultural sector in the country. To increase information and public awareness it is necessary to increase education level and to provide continuous trainings to farmers. This approach will contribute to exchange of information and experience, bigger interest for implementation of environmentally friendly technologies and efficient energy practices, but also will increase the quality of agricultural production on macro level. REFERENCES Analitica, 2008. Renewable energy in Macedonia – Focus on green electricity production. Analitica, Skopje Dimitrievski, D., Georgiev, N., Simonovska, A., Martinovska-Stojceska, A. and Kotevska, A. 2010. Review of agriculture and agricultural policy in FYR Macedonia, in Volk, T. (eds.). Agriculture in the Western Balkan Countries. IAMO, Vol. 57 Dimitrievski, D. and Kotevska, A. 2009. analysis of renewable energy and its impact on rural development in Republic of Macedonia. AgriPolicy – Enlargement Network for Agricultural Analysis Dimitrovski, M. 2009. Investigation of the possible prodaction of biogas from agriculture biomass and possibilities for use of biogas in the rural regions of the Republic of Macedonia. Agro-energy study N 008/2009 within CeProSARD, Centre for Promotion of Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Rural Development, Skopje Energici, 2010. Macedonia: Energy profile. Energici - renewable energy intelligence. Accessed on: 2012-04-30. Available on: http://www.energici.com/energy-profiles/by-country/europe-m-z/macedonia MANU, 2010. Strategija za iskoristuvanje na obnovlivi izvori na energija vo Republika Makedonija do 2020 godina. Makedonska Akademija na Naukite i Umetnostite, Skopje SSO, 2011. Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Macedonia 2011. State Statistical Office, Skopje
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