ELECTRIC HEATING IN THERMAL PROCESSING OF GRAIN MATERIALS AS AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT METHOD OF SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION

The article examines the application of electric heating in thermal processing technologies of grain materials as an energy-efficient method of utilizing electricity generated from renewable sources, particularly solar power plants. An analysis of the energy balance of the grain drying process is conducted, the main equations of heat consumption are presented, and the efficiency coefficients of electrothermal installations are determined. It is shown that electric heating reduces specific energy consumption compared to traditional convective methods. The feasibility of integrating electrothermal installations with photovoltaic systems to improve the energy efficiency of agro-industrial production and reduce CO₂ emissions is substantiated.