PHOTO: BART NIJS FOTOGRAFIE
SUSTAINABILITY ▶▶▶
Water as a renewable and sustainable energy source
BY SAMANEH AZARPAJOUH B
roiler production is based on raising fast-growing chickens, the mass production of meat with high ef- ficiency and at low cost. The production perfor- mance of broilers is impacted by factors such as am-
bient temperature and humidity, as well as heating and cooling systems, to name but a few. While cold stress also in- fluences broilers’ health and welfare significantly. Therefore the broiler industry requires substantial amounts of fossil fu- els to provide the necessary energy and desired internal tem- perature in broiler houses. The increased energy required by intensive broiler production systems results in high running costs and greater greenhouse gas emissions. Thus renewable, sustainable and climate-friendly energy sources are needed in broiler production systems to save energy, reduce green- house gas emissions and, to some extent, provide producers with potential economic benefits. Currently, wind and solar energies are two sustainable and renewable energy sources whose popularity for use in broiler production systems is growing. However, these energy sources cannot produce much electricity and heat energy when it is dark or cloudy. Water, on the other hand, is used as a climate-friendly, clean, cost-effective energy source to generate electricity and regulate temperature in broiler houses, even in remote areas.
Influence of broiler industry on global warming Greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. carbon dioxide and ammo- nia) are among the most important contributors to global warming. The increasing atmospheric concentration of green- house gas has a negative impact on plants, animals, human activity, ecosystems and the economy around the world. Intensive broiler production consumes large quantities of fuel all over the world to produce energy and keep the internal temperature, relative humidity, chemical environment, venti- lation and lighting inside chicken houses within a reasonable range. Broiler and livestock production is responsible for 20-25% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
In the quest for sustainable broiler production and to lower its carbon footprint, novel energy sources are being considered. Wind and solar are already in play but water as a renewable and sustainable energy source is little known. However, its potential – in combination with heat pump technology – is huge.
Water as an energy source A secure, reliable and affordable electricity supply is critical to the industrial and economic development of every country. The use of renewable energy sources and efficient energy technology is therefore increasing worldwide. Using the force of flowing water based on gravity is the most common use of sustainable and renewable energy. The energy produced by water is considered a renewable resource because it uses the Earth’s water cycle and gravitational pull to generate electrici- ty. Flowing water is used as a climate-friendly, clean, cost-ef- fective, easy-to-maintain, sustainable and renewable energy source to generate electricity.
Water source heat pump technology is commonly used in broiler houses to reg- ulate the environmental temperature, although the heat source is often some form of hydrocarbon.
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