1. Reducing production costs by saving energy

2. Topical subject for many reasons: Economical Economical Environmental Environmental Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

3. Basic principle: Tobacco growers have always been sensitive to a parsimonious use of energy Tobacco growers have always been sensitive to a parsimonious use of energy For economical reasons, our growers do not have financial means to waste energy for tobacco leaf production For economical reasons, our growers do not have financial means to waste energy for tobacco leaf production The permanent media sensitizing to the consequences of gas with greenhouse effects motivates in optimizing our energy consumption The permanent media sensitizing to the consequences of gas with greenhouse effects motivates in optimizing our energy consumption

4. Identification of potential savings: Soil preparation and fertilization  Transplanting Weeding and crop protection  Irrigation Setting and maintenance of the engines of harvesting equipments Verification of burners settings Curing and taking down of Burley  Flue curing

5. Distribution of energy consumption in flue curing: 26% of consumed energy = losses through walls and concrete soil 26% of consumed energy = losses through walls and concrete soil 28% of consumed energy = air renewal 28% of consumed energy = air renewal 46% of consumed energy = evaporation of tobacco water content 46% of consumed energy = evaporation of tobacco water content Source: AERET 2007, ANITTA, French experimentation

6. Choice of energy source: Depending on the marketplace Depending on the marketplace Depending on available techniques Depending on available techniques Depending on the size of the farm Depending on the size of the farm

7. At the time of changing: To take into account: « grey energy » To take into account: « grey energy » On a thermal point, to limit losses by insulation On a thermal point, to limit losses by insulation On a mechanical point, to look for the best yields On a mechanical point, to look for the best yields Not to give way to « fashion » Not to give way to « fashion »

8. Use of by-products as thermal energy source for flue curing: Usually linked with large investments Usually linked with large investments Seasonal use = expensive OR need of a complementary market to sell thermal energy Seasonal use = expensive OR need of a complementary market to sell thermal energy Problems to assure supply Problems to assure supply When needing a complement with fuel = double equipments When needing a complement with fuel = double equipments

9. To conclude: No unique solution, every one has to find the better solution No unique solution, every one has to find the better solution Everything evolves, it is necessary to adapt but taking into account investment needs : energy cost is not sufficient to account for some changes Everything evolves, it is necessary to adapt but taking into account investment needs : energy cost is not sufficient to account for some changes We have to go on with a sustainable demeanor regarding energy and environment We have to go on with a sustainable demeanor regarding energy and environment