Eine ungewöhnliche Kombination: regenerativer Strom aus Sonnenenergie und automatisierte Landwirtschaft

25.03.2024

Die Herausforderungen für die Landwirtschaft bestehen in der Verknappung von Ressourcen und Ackerland, dem Klimawandel, Arbeitskräftemangel, einem steigenden Sicherheitsbedürfnis, Reduktion monotoner und anstrengender Arbeiten und der steigenden Weltbevölkerung. Der Einsatz von Technologien in der Landwirtschaft könnte der Schlüssel zu einer effizienteren Lebensmittelproduktion sein. Um die Ernährungssicherheit zu gewährleisten, muss die Produktivität gesteigert und gleichzeitig der Einsatz von Ressourcen wie Wasser, Dünger und Pestiziden verringert werden.

Zur doppelten Nutzung des Bodens werden Agrivoltaik-Anlagen im Weinberg, auf Obst- und Gemüse- und Nutzpflanzenplantagen und über Viehweiden eingesetzt. Dabei wird regenerativ erzeugter Strom gewonnen. Gleichzeitig können Pflanzen angebaut werden. Durch geeignete Sensorik werden das Wetter und die Wachstumsbedingungen überwacht, um die Pflanzenentwicklung und den Pflanzenschutz zu optimieren.

Das Projekt Weinbau 4.0 – Digitalisierung des Weinbergs

Automatisierung und Digitalisierung sind auch in der Landwirtschaft nicht mehr aufzuhalten. Offensichtlich wurde das beim Projekt Weinbau 4.0. Hier arbeiten das staatliche Weinbauinstitut Freiburg, die Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft des Landkreises Emmendingen, Intech GmbH & Co. KG als Hersteller von PV-Anlagen, ZG Raiffeisen Technik GmbH, die Firma BRAUN Maschinenbau GmbH und die SICK AG als Sensorlieferant zusammen. Themen sind die Navigationsunterstützung im Weinbau, der Einsatz von Sprühdrohnen an Steilhängen sowie Agrivoltaik-Anlagen.

Das Projekteam Weinbau 4.0.
The Viticulture 4.0 project team.
The Viticulture 4.0 project team.
The Viticulture 4.0 project team.

The project is also receiving political support. Peter Hauck, Minister for Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection in Baden-Württemberg, approved an applied research grant that has enabled the viticulture institute to undertake accompanying research as part of a comprehensive horticultural investigation into the effect of agrivoltaic systems on grapevine culture.

The partners jointly presented the solutions during a visit of the minister in the summer of 2023. This topic is also of global interest, however. Countries need to meet their climate goals. The European Commission has provided EUR 1.7 billion of support to an agrivoltaic project in Italy for this purpose.

 

Object detection and navigation support in agriculture

An MRS1000 3D LiDAR sensor from SICK captures the environment of a semi-autonomous viticultural tractor. Thanks to its four scan planes, the sensor can detect the movements of autonomous vehicles three-dimensionally and assist them in navigation, e.g. through row crops. Using the 3D point cloud, tree trunks or vines can be identified as natural landmarks and the distances between the stands and vegetation determined.

The semi-autonomous viticultural tractor is equipped with the MRS1000 3D LiDAR sensor from SICK.
The semi-autonomous viticultural tractor is equipped with the MRS1000 3D LiDAR sensor from SICK.
The semi-autonomous viticultural tractor is equipped with the MRS1000 3D LiDAR sensor from SICK.
The semi-autonomous viticultural tractor is equipped with the MRS1000 3D LiDAR sensor from SICK.

With the help of the three-dimensional environment perception of the MRS1000, it is possible to also reliably detect obstacles in the path of the tractor.

With its four layers, the MRS1000 captures the route in three dimensions and supports navigation.
With its four layers, the MRS1000 captures the route in three dimensions and supports navigation.
With its four layers, the MRS1000 captures the route in three dimensions and supports navigation.
With its four layers, the MRS1000 captures the route in three dimensions and supports navigation.
The TMM88 inclination sensor, which is also attached to the tractor, measures the position of the tractor.

An additionally mounted TMM88 inclination sensor measures the orientation of the tractor. When combined with the 3D point cloud and the current speed, a virtual model of the vine row can be created and the work process automated.

Inertial sensors
High-precision inclination measurement for harsh ambient conditions
TMS/TMM88
LiDAR sensors
Outdoor is our fourth dimension
MRS1000

Inclination control of agrivoltaic systems based on geo-meteorological data

At a pilot facility of the flagship Viticulture 4.0 project, Markus Haas, Global Industry Manager for Renewable Energy at SICK, presents sensor solutions for automating and controlling agrivoltaic systems. Agrivoltaics is a fusion of the words “Agriculture” and “Photovoltaics”. It refers to the installation of solar panels above vines, plantations or pastures.

The Global Industry Manager for Renewable Energy at SICK presents sensor solutions for agrivoltaic systems.
The Global Industry Manager for Renewable Energies at SICK presents sensor solutions for photovoltaic systems.
The Global Industry Manager for Renewable Energy at SICK presents sensor solutions for agrivoltaic systems.
The Global Industry Manager for Renewable Energies at SICK presents sensor solutions for photovoltaic systems.

The solar system is movable on one axis. TMS/TMM22 inclination sensors from SICK measure the inclination of the solar panels. The controller adjusts the panels to track the sun, or follows a stored logic based on agrometeorological data. This optimizes the energy yield. The modules can also be moved into a vertical position to allow leaves to dry off more quickly and avoid fungal growth. The solar modules are moved into a horizontal position in case of hail or strong rain.

The solar system is movable on one axis and the inclination is measured by the TMS/TMM22 inclination sensors from SICK.
The solar system is movable on one axis and the inclination is measured by the TMS/TMM22 inclination sensors from SICK.
The solar system is movable on one axis and the inclination is measured by the TMS/TMM22 inclination sensors from SICK.
The solar system is movable on one axis and the inclination is measured by the TMS/TMM22 inclination sensors from SICK.
Farmers could use the Spotium app to view information regarding the condition of the vineyards.

The necessary data is provided by the AgriStick agrometeorological sensor as well as other components such as the LeafWet sensor from SICK Mobilisis.

  • Soil and air temperature
  • Soil and air humidity
  • Leaf moisture
  • pH value of the soil
  • Salt content of the soil
  • Precipitation (rain/snow)
  • Solar radiation
  • Illumination level
  • Dust concentration
  • NPK value of the soil

This information can be easily viewed via the Spotium App. This gives the farmer full transparency over the condition of his vineyard

 

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