Direct Energy Use in EU Livestock: Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solutions

This review analyzes direct energy consumption in the EU livestock sector, highlighting significant variations across production systems—ranging from 2.1 to 5.3 MJ/kg per ECM for dairy cows to 59.2 MJ/kg for suckler cow-calf systems. It presents evidence-based recommendations for improving energy efficiency and integrating renewable energy sources (RES) such as solar, biogas, heat pumps, and biomass. The study emphasizes farm-specific factors influencing technology suitability, including building orientation, climate, insulation, ventilation, and seasonal energy demand. It draws on research into energy-efficient broiler housing, passive building envelopes, and dynamic thermal modeling. The findings support the transition to fossil-fuel-free farming through RES adoption and energy-saving technologies, aligning with EU climate and sustainability goals. The work is part of the AgroFossilFree project (Horizon 2020, grant ID 10100496), active from October 2020 to September 2023, with results applicable to farmers, advisors, and policymakers.