ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some of the selected energy generation technologies and alternative fuels in agriculture, including the recovery of heat from biomass composting; production technology; and uses of biogas and biodiesel, solar energy technologies, and optimization of production processes to minimize energy losses in agriculture. Biomass is obtained from plant and animal sources and can be converted from stored chemical energy into bioheat, biopower, biofuels, and biomaterials. Agricultural biomass can be used to produce biogas and vehicle fuel, which is a valuable resource in agricultural production. Solar energy is a renewable resource that can be harnessed for agricultural production. The main rationale for the use of Photovoltaic systems in farming is to increase the percentage of energy from renewable sources in agricultural production. The Energy Returned on Energy Invested (EROEI) ratio is a highly useful indicator for evaluating the efficiency of renewable energy sources.
