The LIFE ATENA project is excited to announce significant progress towards its objective of reducing pollution in agricultural areas through the electrification of isodiametric compact tractors and implements. This initiative aims to foster a shift in mindset within the agricultural sector towards more sustainable practices.
Project Achievements and Progress Status
Since the project's inception, the LIFE ATENA team has made substantial strides in developing and validating innovative technologies. Key achievements include:
1. Field and bench tests protocols
Testing activities have been carried out for defining the baseline of specialized Antonio Carraro’s traditional tractors when using implements required in orchards and vineyards. Performance indicators defined (KPI – Key Performance Indictor) have been monitored through this extensive experimental field test campaign and used as reference for the comparison with the hybrid and electric tractors and electrified implements to be developed and tested during the project by Antonio Carraro SPA, Ecothea and Ero.
2. Consolidated Baseline
This task deals with the technical report including field and bench test results in terms of performance and pollutant emissions of a traditional tractor. Demonstration activities have been crucial to validate the innovative technology developed within the LIFE ATENA project.
In the first part of the project the framework, procedures, and protocols have been set up to perform both in-field and bench testing needed to detect and monitor project KPIs. An important task of demonstration activities has been the consolidation of the baseline. Both actions have been carried out in collaboration with the owners of the demo-sites that have been consulted to co-design testing protocols and for the baseline consolidation.
The technical performance and emissions of a traditional CARRARO tractor (model SR) used in combination with traditional implements supplied by ERO (defoliator, trimmer, pre-pruner, atomizer as reported in the concept section) have been monitored during the first year of the project through in-field and bench testing.
3. Hybrid and Electric tractor architecture:
In this task, partners have been involved in the final optimization, development, and industrial engineering of the two proposed CARRARO powertrain architectures before final construction the prototypes.
At this stage, results coming from consolidated baseline have been used to properly tune components specification as well as control strategies with the aim to reduce as much as possible pollutant emissions with the lower impact possible on tractor productivity.
In this task, engineering of all the components and subsystems has been tackled down. The Bill of Material (BoM) for all the required components have been defined. Technical drawings, both 3D and 2D, have been produced and validated before production of the components. Technical specification has been defined for all the components to be supplied from external dealers before final construction
4. Electrically powered agricultural implements:
In this task ERO has developed the engineering of the architecture of the electrically optimized implements for the final start of construction of the prototypes.
To develop the architecture of the electrical implements, the results of baseline tests performed with the standard hydraulic implements were used to properly select the appropriately sized components. By using the baseline test results, the engineering of the implements focused on the increase of efficiency and lowering of the environmental impact.
Additionally in this task the Bill of Material (BoM), 2D and 3D drawings as well as the right choice of components have been validated, to allow starting the construction of the prototypes.
5. Construction of Prototypes (Work In Progress):
Impact and Policy Influence
LIFE ATENA has made significant strides in influencing environmental, climate, social, and economic policies by demonstrating the viability and benefits of electrified agricultural machinery. However, the project also identified legal and policy bottlenecks that hinder implementation, providing critical observations to the European Commission to further the climate and environmental agenda.
Future Directions
LIFE ATENA will continue to disseminate its findings through various communication channels, including a project webpage, social media, videos, newsletters, magazine articles, exhibitions, and networking activities. These efforts aim to extend the project’s impact, fostering broader adoption of sustainable farming technologies.
About LIFE ATENA
LIFE ATENA is dedicated to advancing sustainable agricultural practices by developing innovative electrification technologies for compact tractors and implements. The project is funded by the European Union's LIFE Programme and involves a consortium of leading organizations in the agricultural and technological sectors.
For more information, please visit www.lifeatena.com.