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Energy Life-Cycle Assessment of Fruit Products—Case Study of Beira Interior’s Peach (Portugal)

Author

Listed:
  • João Pires Gaspar

    (Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Pedro Dinis Gaspar

    (Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    C-MAST—Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Pedro Dinho da Silva

    (Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    C-MAST—Centre for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Maria Paula Simões

    (Agriculture School, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6001-909 Castelo Branco, Portugal
    Centro de Recursos Naturais, Ambiente e Sociedade (CERNAS), Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Christophe Espírito Santo

    (Agrofood Technological Center, Castelo Branco, Portugal)

Abstract

Currently, there is a growing demand for cleaner and sustainable technologies due to environmental issues. In this sense, there is a necessity to manage the assessment of production processes and the rationalization of energy consumption. In this study, an Energy Life-Cycle Assessment (ELCA) was carried out through energy efficiency indicators, directed to the characterization and renewability of the peach production system life-cycle in the Portuguese region of Beira Interior . The study intends to investigate the non-renewable energy inputs from fossil fuels, as well as the emissions resulting from machinery. In addition, warehouse energy inputs are analyzed, mainly cooling systems of refrigerated chambers where fruits are preserved. This analysis aims to find opportunities for technological, environmental and best practices improvements. Test scenarios were analyzed and revealing soil groundcover maintenance is the operation with the largest impact in the energy consumption of the production process (3176 MJ·ha −1 ). In the post-harvest processes, the energy consumption largest impact is given by the warehouse’s operations (35,700 MJ·ha −1 ), followed by transportation (6180 MJ·ha −1 ). Concerning the emissions resulting from the fuels consumption, the largest impact is due to the plantation machinery and the transportation from warehouse to retailers.

Suggested Citation

  • João Pires Gaspar & Pedro Dinis Gaspar & Pedro Dinho da Silva & Maria Paula Simões & Christophe Espírito Santo, 2018. "Energy Life-Cycle Assessment of Fruit Products—Case Study of Beira Interior’s Peach (Portugal)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3530-:d:173112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Martim Aguiar & Pedro Dinis Gaspar & Pedro Dinho da Silva, 2023. "Thermal Management of Short-Range Distribution of Perishable Food Products Using Phase Change Materials in Packaging: Real-Time Field Data Acquisition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Jara Laso & Daniel Hoehn & María Margallo & Isabel García-Herrero & Laura Batlle-Bayer & Alba Bala & Pere Fullana-i-Palmer & Ian Vázquez-Rowe & Angel Irabien & Rubén Aldaco, 2018. "Assessing Energy and Environmental Efficiency of the Spanish Agri-Food System Using the LCA/DEA Methodology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Giacomo Falcone & Teodora Stillitano & Anna Irene De Luca & Giuseppe Di Vita & Nathalie Iofrida & Alfio Strano & Giovanni Gulisano & Biagio Pecorino & Mario D’Amico, 2020. "Energetic and Economic Analyses for Agricultural Management Models: The Calabria PGI Clementine Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-24, March.
    4. Kosemani, Babajide S. & Bamgboye, A. Isaac, 2020. "Energy input-output analysis of rice production in Nigeria," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    5. Yang Zhang & Zhenghui Fu & Yulei Xie & Qing Hu & Zheng Li & Huaicheng Guo, 2020. "A Comprehensive Forecasting–Optimization Analysis Framework for Environmental-Oriented Power System Management—A Case Study of Harbin City, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-26, May.

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