Renewable energies have proven to be very useful and versatile when it comes to undertaking new ideas in various sectors. Major technological innovations are being implemented in the markets today thanks to renewable energies. From small companies that are self-sufficient in electricity to new ways of approaching agricultural businesses, these energies can emerge, opening up opportunities that were previously unthinkable.
Who would say that they could Growing tomatoes in the middle of the desert, without polluting and without emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Well, this is already a reality thanks to a pioneering farm in Australia. This innovative technology has not only allowed the cultivation of food in extreme conditions, but it does so in a completely sustainable way.
The technology behind the breakthrough
The technology used in this farm is the result of the work of the Danish company Aalborg CSP, a pioneer in the use of concentrated solar energy (CSP) for agricultural applications. This innovative system not only generates enough energy to heat greenhouses, but also allows desalinate water, a scarce resource in these arid areas.
The greenhouses are located in Sundrop Farms, a state-of-the-art facility in South Australia, specifically in port-augustaThe complex, which extends over 20.000 square meters, is one of the largest examples of sustainable agriculture in arid areas. The energy that powers this system comes from 23.000 heliostats, strategically placed on the desert floor. These mirrors collect the sun's rays and redirect them to a 127-meter-high solar tower located at the center of the facility.
Concentrated solar power for food cultivation
Sundrop Farms CSP system not only generates enough power for farm operations, but also contributes to the desalination of sea water. This water is used to irrigate the tomato crops, eliminating the dependence on fresh water sources, which are limited in these regions. The farm can produce up to 15 million kg of organic tomatoes per year, which is equivalent to 15% of Australia's total tomato consumption.
This innovative system harnesses solar energy for most of the year, as the region enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year. This has eliminated the need to use fossil fuels to operate the greenhouses.
Salt water from the nearby Spencer Gulf is desalinated using solar energy, generating up to one million litres of fresh water per day. This technology not only ensures the supply of water for crops, but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint, as it has the capacity to avoid the emission of up to 16.000 tons of CO2 per year, which is equivalent to removing more than 3.000 cars from the road.
Seasonal adaptation and sustainability
Sundrop Farms' system has been designed to adapt to the different seasons of the year. During the winter, concentrated solar energy is used to heating the greenhouses, ensuring that the tomatoes grow in the best conditions. In the coldest months, even nights can have extremely low temperatures in the desert, so this system is crucial to maintaining the right climate inside the facility.
In addition, the system allows the balanced energy production throughout the year, adjusting energy needs to the time of year. This combination of technologies not only allows food to be produced sustainably, but also minimises operating costs, ensuring the long-term economic viability of the project.
The project has proven to be a great success both technologically and economically. Not only does it ensure continuous production of tomatoes, but it has also created numerous local jobs in the Port Augusta region, with around 175 workers employed on the farm.
Global Opportunities: Other Examples
The success of Sundrop Farms has served as an inspiration for other arid regions of the world, where water scarcity and high temperatures pose major challenges to agriculture. One of the most prominent examples is the desert Atacama In Chile, where tomatoes have been planted using a similar system, supported by Photovoltaic Solar EnergyTomatoes grown in Atacama are not only used for local consumption, but are also transported in electric vehicles, completely eliminating the carbon footprint.
In the United Arab EmiratesPure Harvest has developed climate-controlled greenhouses to grow food in extremely arid conditions. These greenhouses use LED lighting and efficient irrigation systems, such as drip and sprinkler, thus reducing the environmental impact in terms of water.
Globally, the vertical farming and the use of hydroponic systems have proven to be viable solutions for producing food in water-stressed regions. These technologies allow for the growth of vegetables in stacked layers, using irrigation techniques that consume up to 95% less water compared to traditional agriculture.
The use of renewable energy, such as solar energy, is key to the success of these projects and represents a long-term solution to address climate change and the growing global demand for food.
These pioneering projects have demonstrated that it is possible to transform arid areas into productive regions, using advanced technologies and integrating clean energy as a fundamental part of the agricultural process.
The future of agriculture, especially in regions with extreme conditions, will depend on the ability to adapt these technologies and make them accessible globally, especially in those areas most affected by climate change and scarcity of natural resources.