Trends In U S Agriculture S Consumption And Production Of Energy Renewable Power Shale Energy And Cellulosic Biomass

This report examines recent trends in energy use in the agricultural sector and the extent to which farm businesses engage in on-farm energy production. A 2013 ERS report on energy consumption and production in agriculture focused on corn and soybean production for the biofuel market and farmer responses to rising energy prices. However, since then, increasing volume mandates for cellulosic biofuel in the Renewable Fuel Standard, as well as the shale energy revolution and the promulgation of the Clean Power Plan (CPP), have changed (or could change, in the case of CPP) agriculture's energy use and production patterns. The study finds that a small but growing number of farms harvest cellulosic biomass. Also, while the shale revolution contributed to lowering natural gas and fuel prices, domestic fertilizer prices have not substantially diverged from global prices-even though natural gas remains the major production cost for fertilizer. Shale energy production has impacted enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP); the study finds that between 2006 and 2013, CRP acreage in counties overlaying shale plays declined, on average, at a greater rate (32 percent) than in non-shale counties (22 percent). The impact of the CPP on farm electricity use is expected to be minor for most farm businesses, as electricity represents, on average, only 1 to 6 percent of their total production expenses.

This report examines recent trends in energy use in the agricultural sector and the extent to which farm businesses engage in on-farm energy production. Increasing volume mandates for cellulosic biofuel in the Renewable Fuel Standard, as well as the shale energy revolution and the promulgation of the Clean Power Plan (CPP), have changed (or could change) agriculture's energy use and production patterns. A small but growing number of farms harvest cellulosic biomass. Also, while the shale revolution contributed to lowering natural gas and fuel prices, domestic fertilizer prices have not substantially diverged from global prices -- even though natural gas remains the major production cost for fertilizer. Enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has declined at a greater rate in counties overlaying shale. The impact of the CPP on farm electricity use is minor, as electricity represents only 1-6% of their total production expenses. Figures and tables. This is a print on demand report.

This book argues that a variety of policies will be required to create synergies between the water-energy-food nexus sectors while reducing trade-offs in the development of a green economy. Despite rising demand for water, energy and food globally, the governance of water-energy-food sectors has generally remained separate with limited attention placed on the interactions that exist between them. Brears provides readers with a series of in-depth case studies of leading cities, states, nations and regions of differing climates, lifestyles and income-levels from around the world that have implemented a variety of policy innovations to reduce water-energy-food nexus pressures and achieve green growth. The Green Economy and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus will be of interest to town and regional planners, resource conservation managers, policymakers, international companies and organisations interested in reducing water-energy-food nexus pressures, environmental NGOs, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students.

For a variety of reasons, energy use in the agro-food sector continues to rise, and in many countries, is highly dependent on fossil fuels, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. It is therefore becoming urgent to consider how the food supply chain can improve its energy efficiency.

extreme weather will mean ongoing challenges to the capacity of these sectors to support human well-being, grow the economy, and provide critical environmental services. Society has yet to evaluate the resilience of FEWS to climate, environmental, and management stresses as it shapes strategies to support sustainable development over the next decades. These issues constitute a quintessential interdisciplinary research challenge and require a well-structured science agenda and supportive information services for implementing key findings that governments and stakeholders can adopt. Integrated policy pathways require usable research findings, applications, models, real-time information systems, and decision support systems. In addition, stakeholder engagement is essential to communicate the benefits and results of these approaches and to engage appropriate groups in their implementation.

This open access book, written by world experts in aquaponics and related technologies, provides the authoritative and comprehensive overview of the key aquaculture and hydroponic and other integrated systems, socio-economic and environmental aspects. Aquaponic systems, which combine aquaculture and vegetable food production offer alternative technology solutions for a world that is increasingly under stress through population growth, urbanisation, water shortages, land and soil degradation, environmental pollution, world hunger and climate change.

Building Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal Systems: Fundamentals, Designs, and Applications presents various applications, system designs, manufacturing, and installation techniques surrounding how to build integrated photovoltaics. This book provides a comprehensive understanding of all system components, long-term performance and testing, and the commercialization of building integrated photovoltaic thermal (BIPVT) systems. By addressing potential obstacles with current photovoltaic (PV) systems, such as efficiency bottlenecks and product heat harvesting, the authors not only cover the fundamentals and design philosophy of the BIPVT technology, but also introduce a hybrid system for building integrated thermal electric roofing. Topics covered in Building Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal Systems are useful for scientists and engineers in the fields of photovoltaics, electrical and civil engineering, materials science, sustainable energy harvesting, solar energy, and renewable energy production. Contains system integration methods supported by industry developments Includes real-life examples and functional projects as case studies for comparison Covers system design challenges, offering unique solutions

The Farm Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation the American president signs. Negotiated every five to seven years, it has tremendous implications for food production, nutrition assistance, habitat conservation, international trade, and much more. Yet at nearly 1,000 pages, it is difficult to understand for policymakers, let alone citizens. In this primer, Dan Imhoff and Christina Badaracco translate all the "legalease" and political jargon into an accessible, graphics-rich 200 pages. Readers will learn the basic elements of the bill, its origins and history, and perhaps most importantly, the battles that will determine the direction of food policy in the coming years. The authors trace how the legislation has evolved, from its first incarnation during the Great Depression, to today, when America has become the world's leading agricultural powerhouse. They explain the three main components of the bill--farm subsidies, food stamps or SNAP, and conservation programs--as well as how crucial public policies are changing. As Congress ramps up debate about the next farm bill, we all need to understand the implications of their decisions. Will there be limits on subsidies to huge agribusinesses? Can we shift toward programs that reward sustainable farming practices? Will hungry kids get the help they need? These are questions that affect not only farmers, but everyone who eats. You have a stake in the answers. The Farm Bill is your guide.