Articles

Estimation of carbon sequestration in vineyards in the island of Crete, Greece

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Climate change consists of a serious global environmental problem and many efforts are focused on its mitigation either by reducing the anthropogenic carbon emissions or by absorbing atmospheric carbon. Agricultural crops usually absorb carbon via photosynthesis acting as carbon sinks. Viticulture is well developed in Crete, Greece since ancient times and the island nowadays produces several well-known grapes and wines. The carbon uptake in Cretan vineyards in Crete has been evaluated. The carbon sequestration rate in vineyards from existing studies in several countries has been used for the evaluation. These studies indicate that carbon uptake in vineyards varies in a wide range of values at 69 – 900 g C m-2 yr-1.  The total surface area of vineyards in Crete is 22,184 ha while their annual carbon sequestration has been estimated at 55,460 t C corresponding at an annual carbon sequestration per capita 0.36 t CO2. Although our results should be considered as indicative, they show that carbon sequestration in Cretan vineyards is not negligible and it should be considered in policy development regarding decarbonization in the island. Our results could be useful to policy makers and to stakeholders of the viticulture industry in the island.

Possibility of Using Agrivoltaics in Vineyards in The Island of Crete, Greece

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The clean energy transition in Europe and worldwide requires the generation of electricity from zero-carbon energy sources including solar and wind energy. Solar photovoltaics are in the forefront of clean energy technologies used in the decarbonization of the global power system. Agrivoltaics is an emerging solar energy technology that allows the dual production of electricity and agricultural products in the same land area. The possibility of installing agrivoltaics in vineyards in the island of Crete, Greece has been studied. Several published papers assessing the use of agrivoltaics in vineyards in several countries have been reviewed while their benefits and challenges have been stated. It has been estimated that installation of agrivoltaics in vineyards in Crete covering 1% of their surface with coverage ratio at 15% and 30% can generate electricity meeting 2.6% and 5.2% of Crete’ annual electricity demand respectively. The generated electricity can cover the electricity demand of 20,800 and 41,600 households respectively in Crete. Although there are not sufficient data assessing the use of agrivoltaics in vineyards it is concluded that, under specific conditions, they have many benefits regarding the dual production of electricity and grapes. Our results indicate that installation of agrivoltaics in Cretan vineyards, under limited shading, can offer an additional income to farmers improving the growth and yield characteristics of the cultivated vines. Our result could be useful to many stakeholders of Cretan viticulture.