Solar heat for agro-industrial processes: an analysis of its potential use in Southern Spain

摘要

This work presents an overview of the potential use of solar energy systems for agro-industrial processes in Southern Spain. Specific interest is given to Almería province, a location with high radiation levels where the existing production model, based on intensive agricultural exploitation, has resulted in the ongoing implantation of auxiliary industries, most of them with well identified thermal demands. Following the compilation of specific official socio-economic data sources, we identified and classified the industries and processes, including their corresponding temperatures and energy flow characterization. In addition to this, we present a preliminary estimation of the energy performance of different solar technologies for two selected case studies.