National Environmental Research Initiatives
Energy Research in Agriculture

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) conducts research on energy through the Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD). The general objective of this research is to reduce the use of fossil fuel energy intensity of the agri-food sector by developing efficient farming practices and food processing systems. Reduction in energy consumption also benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improved use of nutrients in soils by crops.

The present PERD initiative (April 2000 – March 2003) is a joint effort between AAFC and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). This initiative has 18 projects dealing with primary production and the food processing industry.

The research aims for the primary production component are to:

• Develop farming practices to reduce fossil fuel use while ensuring environmental and economic sustainability.
• Develop technologies to increase the efficient use of nitrogen fertilizers including manure management.

The research aims for the food processing industry are to:

• Develop technologies to improve the energy efficiency of unit operations, i.e., freezing and dehydration.
• Investigate the application of energy efficient enzymatic processes to replace energy intensive processing.
• Investigate the potential production of energy efficient non-food and industrial materials from agricultural commodities to reduce and recycle waste.
• Investigate energy efficient separation and concentration technologies for the conventional food industry and other food industry like nutraceuticals.