Renewable Energy

In this set of studies, we assess the transition to renewable energy production on farms in Europe. The European Union is committed to increase the use of renewable energy sources (RES) with the aim of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and increasing energy security.  In 1997, the European  Commission published a White Paper that set the first target for RES utilisation in the EU: the contribution of RES to the gross inland consumption of (primary) energy was to increase from 5.4% in 1997 to 12% in 2010 (European Commission, 1997).  In June 2009 a new EU Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (2009/28/EC) was implemented, which set binding national targets for all Member States to reach an overall renewable energy sources contribution of 20% in the EU’s gross final energy consumption by 2020.  These directives have led EU countries to develop differing incentives for renewable energy production, which has made renewable energy production on farm more feasible.  In FarmPath we assess the types of farms n which renewable energy production has been taken up, and the role of technology, policy incentives, knowledge networks and market structures in these processes.  Farm-based renewable energy production is being studied in Germany, Scotland and the Czech Republic.

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 Bio-gas plant in the Czech Republic on

Vysoké Studnice Farm (Photo courtesy of farm)