Powering Agrifood: Completion of 2 years of research

Completion 2 years

The research focuses on reusing residual materials to produce biofuels, generating additional income, and reducing waste through the use of innovations in the agricultural food chain. The agri-food value chain, comprised of diverse businesses from field to fork, is a global leader in product and process innovation. New technologies offer the sector opportunities to accelerate the energy transition while simultaneously reducing its own energy costs and carbon footprint.

2-track research

The theoretical research followed two tracks. First, it examined how farmers, cooperatives, and processing companies themselves can impact local or regional energy systems. The various energy flows (biomass, solar, and wind energy) that are available and needed offer unique opportunities for self-sufficiency or flexibility within the sector's energy system – think of heat, electricity, fuel for agricultural vehicles, and transport.

Innovative energy technologies were also investigated in the production process. The research team's ultimate goal is to determine how modern technology can be (economically) successfully deployed to provide access to clean energy to farming cooperatives and agro-industrial companies worldwide. This research includes locations in the Netherlands, India, and Africa. The latter assume an abundant supply of "free" renewable energy sources (solar, wind, and water), compared to the Dutch scenario. The results of the theoretical research will provide the impetus for further research into practical applications.

Agri-food waste for energy

Clean energy from Indian farms

In Kerala, India, a small-scale hydrogen hub is being investigated for converting rice husks and rubberwood waste into biohydrogen, which suggests potential economic benefits. While biohydrogen could replace up to 15% of the region's current hydropower, its economic feasibility is still being investigated.

A two-step rice husk treatment was tested to determine whether biohydrogen could be not only carbon neutral but also carbon negative. Model results show that primary biochar production, followed by biohydrogen production, can be an effective way to improve soil quality and sequester carbon, while simultaneously providing a sustainable energy source.

Strengthening small African communities

In sub-Saharan Africa, biogas fuel cells are being tested, enabling decentralized electricity generation. Despite higher installation costs, the system is efficient and has a payback period of approximately six years.

Sustainable energy from chicory

Chicory pulp, a challenging waste material due to its high moisture content, is being investigated for energy production using methods such as anaerobic digestion and supercritical water gasification (SCWG) in collaboration with Cosun. Both techniques offer their own advantages in terms of efficiency, energy intensity, and time investment and can be used for various applications, depending on the processing requirements.

Beer waste becomes energy

At Koningshoeven Abbey, beer waste from the La Trappe brewery is being considered for the production of biogas, which can then be used in a fuel cell to generate electricity and heat to support the brewing process. This waste-to-energy conversion can all be done on-site and can significantly improve the company's sustainability.

Main conclusions

The Powering Agrifood results are based on computer models, which demonstrate high efficiency in converting farm waste into energy. However, practical validation is essential. Decentralized biogas and biohydrogen applications hold great promise for local communities and food processing companies. Following theoretical validation, further research will focus on practical solutions, economic feasibility, and technical requirements.

About Powering Agri-Food

The program Powering Agrifood project accelerates the energy transition in the agri-food value chain by using new technologies to reduce energy costs and carbon footprints and improve sustainability. It comprises two components: a systems perspective study and the demonstration of biogas fuel cell technology. The research is fully funded by project partners from the energy and agricultural industries, as well as knowledge institutions, and focuses on the energy system in the agricultural and food processing industries.