Predicting the acceptance of the introduction of energy management system and testing its functionality in automated barn systems - "CowEnergySystem"

In view of the increasing global demand, the resource energy is becoming a significant cost factor in the entire agricultural sector. Livestock farms are particularly affected by this development and are thus confronted with additional economic challenges. As a result of society's desire to phase out the use of fossil fuels, the use of renewable energies is increasingly becoming the focus of attention worldwide. For farms in particular, this opens up previously unused potential and additional synergies. Additional energy can be generated through the use of photovoltaic systems on the roofs of farm buildings or the utilization of manure produced in animal husbandry in biogas plants. This opens up the possibility of using inexpensive energy on the farm itself or supplying it directly to the public grid as a market participant. As a part of the "CowEnergySystem" research project, in addition to the scope of individual farm electricity generation, the possibilities of efficient utilization are to be investigated. This can contribute to a sustainable reduction in electricity costs. The core element of such an intelligent utilization concept is a corresponding energy management system (EMS). The research project will investigate how this system can be used permanently and reliably, even with different operational and technical equipment. The initial experience, obtained from a dairy farm, suggests the similar potential benefits for other production processes as for example for poultry or pig farming. A successful introduction of the suggested concept is decisively determined by the acceptance of the end-users. The first results on the level of acceptance and duration of the introduction of energy management system will be presented using the example of the Bavarian region. In particular, important influencing factors for a subsequent regional marketing concept will be presented.