By Abid Hussain
Indian agriculture sector, which feeds the 1.3 billion people in the country, is beset with multiple intrinsic and extrinsic problems. It has also to confront problems with global dimensions like greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change.
High input costs, falling prices of agricultural products, labour shortage and high wages, obsolete technologies, lack of credit facilities, inability to service debts, are issues intrinsic to the sector. Vagaries of weather, seasonal and nonseasonal floods and drought and new regulations and dismantling of the conventional farm ownership and farm practices are the external factors that make agriculture unviable and even traumatic.
On the macro level agriculture is accused of being a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that lead to climate change. A Mckinsey & Co report estimates that about 27% of the world’s GHG emissions come from agriculture, forestry, and land-use. This issue also has to be addressed while alternatives are being considered for making agriculture economically viable and ecologically sustainable.
In this process of transformation, electric tractors, robots and hydrogen fuel cell equipment are being looked at as alternatives to make agriculture sustainable. The role of farm equipment powered by alternative sources is getting bigger. This article is a detailed deliberation on this evolving subject.
Alternative power for farm equipment
Agriculture 4.0 (AG4.0) is taking over the farming sector with new technologies like satellite land mapping, auto guided equipment, weather and soil monitoring sensors, and agricultural robots. Fleet monitoring and drones are making farming more efficient, predictable and data-monitored for higher and sustainable yield.
The new race also brings alternative power sources which are replacing conventional internal combustion engines (ICE).
The three main alternative power options available are: battery- powered electric equipment (BPEE), hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric equipment (HPFC) and hydrogen-powered combustion engine (HPCE) equipment.
Batteries store electricity directly from an electric charging source and it needs to be recharged after some hours of work. Electric motors are highly efficient (90 % compared to 20-30% for ICE) and robust, thereby lowering maintenance costs. Most importantly, electric motors do not emit CO2, NOx or particulate matter and can be powered by renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar. The challenge of this technology is in storing electricity onboard the vehicle/equipment to feed the motor.
In HFCE, hydrogen gets reserved in tanks and then through the fuel cell catalyst and oxygen available in the atmosphere creates a chemical reaction forming water and electricity that gets stored in batteries for power generation resulting in working of the equipment.
H2+O2 = Water + Electricity
Solar and wind energy can also be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. In this process, sustainable electricity is used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This process is reversible, producing water, heat, and electricity. Farmers can then use this electricity in times of energy shortage, such as in the winter. Fuel cell systems are likely to cost more than diesel power to buy but they cost much less to run and are calculated to be likely to pay for themselves within a year or two, assuming the fuel becomes readily available.
In Europe a new generation of hydrogen-powered combustion engines (HPCE) is coming for application of higher load and longer working hours for complete autonomy. The main advantage of HPCE is that it can use the existing IC engine technology and the supply base. This can ensure that the hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines remain a key part of the drive to achieve zero carbon emissions. Hydrogen engine has other advantages as its price is similar to that of a diesel engine. It can be integrated into traditional powertrains, and there is no charging, no additional expensive batteries and electric motors.
The chart below shows which alternative power solution could be functional for different applications and farm/forest equipment. This chart also shows that the more complex and heavier the product for design and application, the inclination would be more towards hydrogen as an alternative power source. Lighter and simpler product like compact tractors or smaller tractors could have a battery- powered electric source. Medium application and usage could have hydrogen fuel cell electric equipment (HFCE).
The above graph will evolve in coming years as most of the off-highway companies are still working on this disruptive innovation and are in the initial phase of production models.
Segmented use and application
Grains and forestry: For heavier land preparation and tillage for longer hour application, a complete autonomy in power supply is required. For this kind of heavier applications hydrogen-powered combustion engines could be the ideal solution. Imagine a tractor preparing a big land or an excavator working in a forest or mountain. It will be more convenient if the equipment is having a hydrogen-powered combustion engine for complete autonomy and longer power supply.
Medium livestock application: Hydrogen-powered fuel cell and hydrogen-powered combustion engine could be the best solution for heavy diet mixing application and day to day utility applications for longer working hours in animal farms.
Orchard, vegetable, and hobby farming: Capping greenhouse gas emissions and reducing air pollution on the farm challenge the place of the diesel tractor in future sustainable vineyards. Tractors are responsible for the largest share of all CO2 emissions at orchards and vineyards, mostly resulting from pest and disease management and soil maintenance. Electric vehicles will thus be required to meet the climate change reduction goals.
Path ahead
Though the hydrogen system does not stand out for its efficiency, it is still competitive because of its size and the costs involved. The initial cost of an average fuel cell electric vehicle is currently higher than its battery alternative, but the costs are predicted to converge by 2030. Hydrogen-powered engines will be much more economical than the fuel cell-powered ones.
These alternative power sources appear to be promising solutions. However, a lot of R&D needs to be done. The government and companies need to come together for mass production till the cost gets down to the current level or lower.
The race for alternative power sources for agriculture equipment has just begun…….
Note: The author is product marketing & strategy executive-farm equipment at New Holland.
(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the authors and ETAuto.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETAuto.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly.)
