Perthshire farmer Thomas Clark NSch 2023 has published his Nuffield Farming report 'Gate to Grid: A Responsible Model for Integrated Energy Production', sponsored by the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust (a Clyde Higgs Scholarship).

The full report is now available on the Nuffield Farming report library, and his report video can be viewed on the Nuffield Farming YouTube channel. Thomas presented the findings of his research at the 2024 Nuffield Farming Conference in Belfast and a recording of his presentation can be found here.

During his Scholarship, Thomas travelled to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, France, Norway, the Netherlands and across the United Kingdom to investigate the opportunities and challenges of integrating renewable energy production into farming systems.

In his report, Thomas says: "With the race on for net zero by 2050, agriculture must realise the potential of implementing renewable technologies if it is to stay relevant and operational. Farmers are already in the business of energy production, converting wind, sunlight and moisture into a calorie harvest.

"The calorie output on farm is no different to the potential KW output on farm. Farmers are therefore ideally placed to lead innovation in this field; to not only feed the world but meet its power demands as well."

Thomas investigated solutions that could bring benefits to the agricultural industry: "On-farm electricity production can stabilise the price and supply of energy. When looking at Agrivoltaics (AV), shading and subsequent moisture retention can be utilised in farming systems to safeguard from future changes in climate.

"The upgrade of the countryside's connectivity and electrification will allow monitoring technologies and robotics to develop and become more commonplace. Farmers must therefore integrate energy assets on a per hectare basis allowing these new technologies to flourish.

"In the future, finding the correct balance of food, power and biodiversity will create the right environment for technologies to be embraced, enabling a leap forward in farming production and opening the gates for the next agricultural revolution," he concludes.

Study objectives

• To explore global changes in weather patterns and consider ways to succeed with climate mitigation measures.
• To consider the potential role of renewables and review the alternatives.
• To try and determine what are the responsible methods of integrating technologies into mixed farming.
• To review the potential benefits of implementing responsible strategies.

Key messages

1. Farmers as custodians of the land hold great potential to mitigate climate change through our practices.
2. Specifically, the implementation of rotational renewables is highly beneficial.
3. Integrating production systems can bring financial diversification to business, additional area for biodiversity and more opportunities with future technologies.
4. A balance of land uses in a solid rotation to maintain soil heath and fertility is essential for long term success.