The objective of the course is to learn about potentials, production and utilization of renewable energy sources in agriculture and rural areas, as well as machinery used for these purposes.

Acquiring of knowledge and skills on production, harvesting, processing and utilization of renewable energies in agriculture and machinery used for these purposes.

An introduction to the course, acquainting students with responsibilities at work. The energy situation in the world, prospects and problems. Energy inputs in agriculture, the state and perspective. Power saving options in agricultural production and processing. The energy balancing of agricultural production. Basics of economic and energy balancing. Examples of economic and energy balancing. World, EU and national programs in the energy sector, with emphasis on agriculture. Renewable energy, definitions, applications, documentation. Solar energy in agriculture. Solid biomass, production and use in agriculture. Liquid biomass and second-generation biofuels, the importance for agriculture. Burning biomass and biogas. Cogeneration and trigeneration based on biomass. Other forms of renewable energy sources and their applications in agriculture. Renewable energy and rural development. Visit to one of three plants using renewable energy sources.

Oral lectures and exercises, visit of one producer, laboratory exrcises