ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews potential geothermal applications and recent developments in geothermal direct applications in agriculture and the agro-food sector, such as processing, distribution, retail, preparation and cooking. Topics linking agriculture and the agro-food sector to questions such as energy demands in agriculture, energy management processes, water-energy-food-climate nexus, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint of agriculture, and environmental impact of different foods, are not dealt with as they are treated elsewhere. Geothermal heat can be used for temperature control that is heating and cooling, the last by using heat in mechanical or evaporative cooling cycles. Geothermal heat can be an ideal, cost-effective energy source for heating greenhouses and it is commonly used in many European countries where geothermally heated greenhouses are used for year-round commercial production of vegetables, fruits and flowers. Energy efficiency and good economics are crucial in the development of geothermal greenhouse systems.
