LPG by the numbers
%
In OECD countries, for example, around 3-5% of total final energy consumption is used directly in the agriculture sector.
%
In the EU, open-field agriculture accounts for 3.7% of total EU annual energy consumption.
%
The food production and supply chain accounts for about 30% of total global energy consumption.
LPG by the numbers
%
In OECD countries, for example, around 3-5% of total final energy consumption is used directly in the agriculture sector.
%
In the EU, open-field agriculture accounts for 3.7% of total EU annual energy consumption.
%
The food production and supply chain accounts for about 30% of total global energy consumption.
Challenges and solutions
While almost 800 million people are currently afflicted by chronic hunger, by 2050 global food production would need to increase by 50% to feed the more than nine billion people projected to live on our planet. This increase in food production will inevitably lead to an increase in energy use.
The energy use on farms differs from industry or domestic use which limits the number of available solutions.
Off-grid
Most farms do not have access to the natural gas grid and many do not have reliable access to electricity supply.
Mobile
Many energy-intensive applications require mobile energy.
Peak use
Several applications require a lot of energy for a short amount of time. For example, grain is only dried during a specific time period.
Reliability
Farms need a reliable energy source without which livestock could perish or crops could become unfit for consumption.
Several parallel solutions including energy efficiency and precision agriculture will help reduce the environmental impact of farming. LPG already plays a key role, and its adoption in regions where its use is still scarce will further mitigate the impact.
The role of LPG
LPG already plays a key role on millions of farms. For example, over 800,000 farms in the US use LPG for at least one application.
- Irrigation pumps
- Crop drying
- Storage or livestock rearing heating
- Greenhouse heating
- Flame weeding
- Machinery and equipment
- Agricultural building heat
- CO2 generation (for plant growth enhancement in greenhouses)
- Flame sanitation (for indoor livestock spaces)
- Pest control
- Forklifts
- Generators
- Grain dryers
- Water heating
LPG to go renewable
As the volume of renewable LPG increases, more farmers could start using renewable energy, further reducing their carbon footprint. Waste and residues from farms as well as cover crops can also further expand the renewable feedstock base for renewable LPG, thereby closing the carbon cycle.
Why LPG?
Using LPG in agriculture offers a range of benefits
LPG is a crucial energy source for millions for farmers and is key to producing safe food, lowering emission and reducing air pollution. Because of the rural settings of farms and the type of applications, liquid fuels are the most efficient and most environmentally-friendly option.
LPG and
the energy transition
LPG can help reduce emissions on farms in several ways due to its cleaner burning properties compared to traditional fossil fuels.
- Far lower particulate emissions
Switching to LPG can help reduce particulate emissions compared to diesel or gasoline. Particulate matter can contribute to air pollution and can have negative effects on human health and the environment. - Lower NOx emissions
LPG emits lower levels of NOx compared to diesel and gasoline combustion. NOx emissions can contribute to smog formation and have adverse effects on air quality and respiratory health.
- Lower carbon emissions
While most LPG are hydrocarbons, they typically emit fewer CO2 emissions per unit of energy compared to conventional fuels like diesel. This can help mitigate the farm’s carbon footprint. - Flexible applications
LPG can be used in a variety of farm equipment, from tractors and trucks to heaters and water heaters. This flexibility allows farms to transition to LPG across different operations, further reducing emissions.