Evaluation of Autonomous Mowers Weed Control Effect in Globe Artichoke Field

The development of a fully automated robotic weeder is currently hindered by the lack of a reliable technique for weed-crop detection. Autonomous mower moving with random trajectories rely on simplified computational resources and have shown potential when applied for agricultural purposes. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of these autonomous mowers for weed control in globe artichoke. A first trial consisting of the comparison of the performances of three different autonomous mowers (AM1, AM2 and AM3) was carried out evaluating percentage of area mowed and primary energy consumption. The most suitable autonomous mower was tested for its weed control effect and compared with a conventional weed management system. Average weeds height, weed cover percentage, above-ground weed biomass, artichoke yield, primary energy consumption and cost were assessed. All the autonomous mowers achieved a percentage of area mowed around the 80% after 180 min. AM2 was chosen as the best compromise for weed control in the artichoke field (83.83% of area mowed after 180 min of mowing, and a consumption of 430.50 kWh⋅ha−1⋅year−1). The autonomous mower weed management achieved a higher weed control effect (weed biomass of 71.76 vs. 143.67 g d.m.⋅m−2), a lower energy consumption (430.5 vs. 1135.13 kWh⋅ha−1⋅year−1), and a lower cost (EUR 2601.84 vs. EUR 3661.80 ha−1·year−1) compared to the conventional system.

REA: Resource Exergy Analysis - A basic guidline for application

This publication provides a basic guideline to the application of Resource Exergy Analysis (REA). REA is a proven application of exergy analysis to the field of technology comparison. REA aims to help decision makers to obtain an indicator in addition to GHG emissions, that is grounded in science. Resource exergy consumption can replace the less comprehensive primary energy consumption as an indictor and reduce the risk of suboptimal decisions. Evaluating energy systems using REA is key to ensure that climate targets are reached in time.

ENERGY-SAVING BUILDING INNOVATIONS AT THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY MARKET

The article focuses on the problems of using innovative renewable energy technologies, since these areas are the most promising in the structure of solving the issue of energy efficiency of buildings and structures. The growth in primary energy consumption, limited reserves of hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas), coupled with the growing anthropogenic pressure on the environment due to the use of coal as the main type of fuel, forced the world community to reconsider approaches to the energy security of their countries.

REA: Resource Exergy Analysis - A basic guidline for application

This publication provides a basic guideline to the application of Resource Exergy Analysis (REA). REA is an application of exergy analysis to the field of technology comparison. REA aims to help decision makers to obtain an indicator in addition to GHG emissions, that is grounded in science. Resource exergy consumption can replace the less comprehensive primary energy consumption as an indictor and reduce the risk of suboptimal decisions.

Zagraniczna polityka energetyczna Niemiec: uwarunkowania - cele - instrumenty

The paper presents selected issues of German foreign energy policy in terms of determinants-goals-instruments. The factors taken into account in the process of creating foreign energy policy are discussed: the structure of primary energy consumption and of domestic production, the degree of dependence on energy imports and of diversification of supply sources, diversification of transport routes and import infrastructure. The development and goals of foreign energy policy were presented as well as the main instruments for the implementation of energy interests in bilateral and multilateral cooperation were indicated. The problem of defining foreign energy policy was also researched.

Analysis of Primary Energy Consumption in the United States

This article examines the overall trend in primary energy consumption from 1635 to 2020 in the United States. Based on the exponential growth model, the annual energy consumption average growth rate and the process characteristic time are determined. The anamorphosis method is used to search for the logistic model parameters. Long-term trends analysis and the corresponding time series fluctuations are carried out. For the fluctuations' analysis, the trend component is preliminarily excluded based on the proportions theory. Near-period values are determined using shift and autocorrelation functions. To predict further energy consumption dynamics, the ARIMA autoregressive model is used, on which basis a local increase in the annual energy consumption level to 97.66 quads Btu is expected by 2025. The US energy consumption dynamics by resource type is considered. A forecast up to 2025 for the primary energy resources consumption shares in their total volume is built on an autoregressive model basis