Energy efficiency in an integrated agro-ecosystem within an acidic soil area of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
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(2020) 10:33
Energy, Sustainability and Society
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Open Access
Energy efficiency in an integrated agroecosystem within an acidic soil area of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam Nguyen Thi Thu Thao1,2, Tra Van Tung1, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao1, Son Le Thanh4, Sibylle Braunegg6, Gerhart Braunegg5, Hans Schnitzer3 and Le Thanh Hai1*
Abstract Background: Both exergy and energy analysis methodologies are used for analysing energy efficiencies in various processes, including agriculture. This study focuses on the connection of three main process components (husbandrycrop-fishpond) in a typical farming household located within an acid soil region of rural Vietnam. The concept of exergy analysis is used to underline the potential for resource efficiency in alternative processes in the agricultural system. For development of an integrated ecological system aiming towards zero emissions, the analytical methods of material cycles and energy flows utilized a set of indicators of resource efficiency in a sustainable agriculture. Results: The design of the ideal integrated farming system “Agro-Industrial Zero Emissions Systems” (AIZES) can increase the system efficiency by making use of indigenous natural materials and waste reuse/recycling. Recycling waste produce energy, fish feed and fertilizer can result in a decreased environmental load of approximately half. Using exergy analysis to calculate an indicator non-renewable yield ratio (NRYR), the systems verified sustainability of agriculture production. Conclusions: The farming household will be able to subsidize their fuel and electricity consumption by utilizing biogas. Surplus biogas will be distributed to proximate households, further creating sustainable goals. Biochar, created by mixing the biomass residues with local plants, will improve soil quality and pig sludge, mixed with biomass residue, will create highquality fertilizer. Keywords: Agricultural system, Acid sulphate soil, Biogas, Exergy efficiency, Zero emissions
Introduction Integrated biosystems connect all functional components in a system such as agriculture, aquaculture, waste treatment, fuel and water use [1]. Waste and by-products in these systems become inputs for an additional process step, closing the cycle of all material flows. The study of Huong et al. provides good perspectives for integrated biosystems like the combined orchard-fishpond-livestock system operated in Vietnam [2]. Reduction of waste * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Institute for Environment and Resources, National University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh 740500, Vietnam Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
implies an effective decrease in energy demand in agricultural systems and thus encourages proper energy optimization approaches for evaluating systematic energy efficiencies. In order to calculate energy analyses for agriculture utilizing a standard energy unit, this evaluation focuses on the energy conversion of all materials. Some European countries report energy saving measur
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