Ulster University Launches Survey on Renewable Energy for Dairy Farms

The survey is designed to gather detailed data on farm electricity usage and assess the adoption of renewable energy technologies, including wind, solar, biogas, and hydroelectric systems. Farmers participating in the survey will have the opportunity to join the project, with selected farms receiving energy meters to closely monitor energy production and usage patterns.

Under the leadership of PhD researcher Enda Crossan, the study aspires to enhance sustainability and profitability in Northern Ireland’s dairy sector by improving energy efficiency. The project seeks to reduce dependency on grid electricity, thereby lowering the kilowatt-hour cost of producing milk.

By leveraging AI, the research will analyze and optimize key factors such as the sizing of energy storage systems and the timing of energy use. The ultimate goal is to develop cost-effective strategies for maximizing the potential of on-farm renewable energy.

AgriSearch and dairy cooperative Dale Farm are actively supporting the initiative by providing access to robotic and traditional dairy operations for data collection. This effort builds on a successful pilot study conducted by Ulster University’s School of Computing, Engineering, and Intelligent Systems, which underscored the untapped potential of on-farm renewable energy during periods of energy imbalance.

The survey is accessible via the AgriSearch website, and dairy farmers are encouraged to participate, regardless of their current use of renewable energy technologies. This initiative promises to reshape energy practices in the dairy industry, driving sustainability and economic growth.