AgroFossilFree - Design and integration of solar-biomass hybrid energy system for drip irrigation pumping

Γενική περιγραφή

Pump irrigation used in the agriculture farms account 25% of grid electricity consumption and 12% of diesel power. In India, electrical and diesel-powered water pumping systems are in practice for irrigation applications. Increasing cost and depleting conventional energy sources and grid availability at the site has created an interest in renewable energy sources. Hybrid renewable energy system in pumping is relatively new. Hybrid systems depend on more than one energy source therefore it increases flexibility and reliability of the system. Kota region of Rajasthan is having high abundance of solar, biomass and hydro renewable energy sources and moderate to low wind energy source. A small scale solar-biomass hybrid energy system can make a significant contribution for pumping operation in agriculture. Water use efficiency in Indian agriculture at 30.40%, is one of the lowest in the world, against the 55% in China. Therefore Drip irrigation is the best method for irrigation having 90% or higher efficiency. In this study an attempt has been made for designing of drip irrigation system for horticulture crops in two ha. land of Rajasthan technical university campus Kota. It involves the climatological and meteorological survey, the process of selection of drippers, sub main and main line pipe size and determination of pump capacity. According to peak water requirement and total head losses the designed pump size is 5hp which consumes 15kWh of electric energy per day to irrigate 2ha Guava crop. The approximate cost is 2, 46,000 for 4kW solar - biomass hybrid system.