Deutsch | English

The Integrated Energy Farm (IEF)

Overview of Projects

Project concept

The Integrated Energy Farm (IEF) is a farming system model with an optional energetic autonomy including food production and, if possible, energy export. Energy production and consumption at the IEF has to be environment-friendly, sustainable and eventually based mainly on renewable energy sources. It includes a combination of different possibilities for non-polluting energy production, such as modern wind and solar electricity production, as well as the production of energy from biomass.

The IEF concept includes a decentralized living area from which the daily necessities (food and energy) can be produced directly on-site with minimal external energy inputs. The land of IEF may be divided up into compartments to be used for growing food crops, fruit trees, annual and perennial energy crops and short rotation forests, along with wind and solar energy units within the farm.

An integrated energy farming system based largely on renewable energy sources would seek to optimize energetic autonomy and an ecologically semi-closed system while also providing socio-economic viability and giving due consideration to the newest concepts of landscape and biodiversity management. Ideally, it will promote the introduction of different renewable energies, promote rural development and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Schematic drawing of an Intregrated Energy Farm

Basic elements of an Intregrated Energy Farm


Overview of Projects