Rural industries are under increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and diesel consumption in farm machinery is one area for possible transformation.
Acclimate Partners managing partner Cassian Drew was lead author of a report outlining the transition for the industry and said the research highlighted opportunity for change.
“Diesel is the most widely used source of energy in rural industries, at eighty-four per cent of total energy consumption,” Mr Drew said.
“In the current climate this presents an opportunity to rethink the way agriculture operates in order to meet growing global food demands and emission reduction targets.
“The report recommends practical steps for a sector-scale transition to alternative energies, but a bold, coordinated approach from industry, government, manufacturers and the wider workforce is needed to make the switch.”
Australian Farm Institute’s Katie McRobert echoed the sentiment. She said it was important the transition was supported by a collaborative cross-industry and cross-economy effort.
“Building on earlier work investigating energy needs of Australian agriculture, we now have a practical roadmap to deliver new energy technology for the sector,” Ms McRobert said.
“Home-grown solutions are being trialled and we can expect rapid uptake over the next four to five years.”
Supply risks, rising prices and price volatility due to unstable energy markets and geopolitical tensions expose the sector’s vulnerabilities when it comes to reliance on diesel.
AgriFutures Australia national rural issues manager Jane Knight said there were many opportunities to reduce diesel consumption and a clear business case for rural industries to shift gear.
“Battery electric and hydrogen fuel cells are the dominant technologies expected in future heavy machinery and equipment markets,” she said.
Ms Knight also outlined the economic benefit.
“We’ve seen evidence in the freight sector where prime movers have been retrofitted for battery electric operation, with electric trucks achieving a 300km range for between $14 and $42 in comparison to a $116 diesel equivalent.”
The research acknowledged that economies of scale within agriculture were a limiting factor, yet the potential benefits are a strong motivator, with alternative energy expected to create an average of 34,000 new jobs annually.
The four recommendations to guide rural industries toward zero net emissions can be found in the report at: https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/22-122.pdf
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