In light of the forecasted deficit of energy resources in the world, including countries of Central Asia, the problem of energy use efficiency and shifting to alternative energy sources have become acute. Some countries have made progress in introducing energy efficient technologies, but the use of alternative energy sources remains insufficient. For example, Uzbekistan has the potential to generate 179 mln. tons of fuel equivalent through alternative energy sources (hydropower, solar, wind, geothermal), but exploited is below 1% of the total potential.
Consequences of the global climate change such as harsh weather conditions, frequent droughts and variable precipitation, decreased irrigation water supply and decreased centralized natural gas supply, especially to rural areas of the region, threaten sustainable rural livelihoods, which dwell 60-70% of the total population.
Renewable energy sources in agricultural production are insufficiently used. Alternative energy sources (solar, biogas) are not applied or are applied occasionally due to high investment costs or lack of knowledge and habits of the local rural population. Still, there are plenty of sunny days in Central Asian countries, even during the winter season. Solar energy can be applied for heating purposes in houses, schools, other constructions, but also for off-season agricultural activities, such as year-round production of agricultural products in greenhouses.
Several years ago rural families could sustain ordinary greenhouses (heated with gas), but lately due to decreased gas supply and severe winters most of such greenhouses were abandoned. Some agricultural producers switched to active use of charcoal and the more so of fuel wood for heating their greenhouses, thus putting additional burden on the environment and contributing to its further deterioration.
Greenhouse without heating properties can be used for short-term production of agricultural products, whereas heated greenhouse can produce vegetables all-year-round. Agricultural plants need specific and stable temperature regime – the temperature should not fall below + 18°С. Such favorable temperature regimes could be sustained either by installing heating system with alternative energy sources or by constructing alternative to ordinary greenhouses energy efficient greenhouses such as passive solar greenhouse or subsurface greenhouse-thermos.
Acting as an information repository and knowledge hub, this website helps to increase the use of innovations developed by the well-established CACILM Project in Central Asia. Its synthesis, compilation, and dissemination of current research provide a secure knowledge base that policymakers and other stakeholders can access and utilize to develop sustainable strategies capable of addressing the region’s severe land degradation.