In the heart of Iraq, a researcher is pioneering a system that could redefine the future of sustainable energy and agriculture. Sami Abduljabbar Rashid, a scientist at the Biomedical Engineering Research Center of the University of Anbar in Ramadi, is leading a groundbreaking study that integrates Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and LoRaWAN-IoT into agrivoltaics systems. These systems, which combine solar energy generation with agriculture, are at the forefront of sustainable land use. However, they face significant challenges in water management, energy efficiency, and communication between agricultural components.
Rashid’s research, published in the IEEE Access journal (which translates to “Access to Electrical and Electronics Engineers”), proposes a novel IoT-driven framework that optimizes water management and dynamic crop modeling. This system uses PLC for high-speed data transmission and LoRaWAN for long-range, low-power connectivity, enabling seamless communication between distributed sensors. “This integration minimizes infrastructure costs and enhances scalability,” Rashid explains, highlighting the commercial potential of his work.
The system employs real-time data analytics to improve water conservation, crop health prediction, and energy efficiency. Moreover, the dynamic crop modeling framework adapts to climatic variations, optimizing land use for both agriculture and renewable energy generation. “Our goal is to foster sustainable farming while promoting the dual use of land for agriculture and renewable energy generation,” Rashid states.
The research includes experimental demonstrations in MATLAB and real-world case studies, validating the effectiveness of the system in terms of planting area quality, energy production, and shading factors. Comparative analyses were performed among baseline methods for parameters like power generation, irrigation supply, yield production, and irrigation water productivity calculation, as well as voltage/current analysis.
The implications of this research are vast for the energy sector. By optimizing land use and improving energy efficiency, this system could significantly reduce costs and promote sustainable practices. “This research highlights the potential of LoRaWAN-IoT and PLC-based agrivoltaics systems in fostering sustainable farming,” Rashid concludes.
As the world grapples with climate change and the need for sustainable energy solutions, Rashid’s work offers a promising path forward. By integrating advanced technologies into agrivoltaics systems, he is paving the way for a future where agriculture and renewable energy coexist harmoniously. This research not only shapes future developments in the field but also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing global challenges.