Dynamic Modelling and Energy, Economic, and Environmental Analysis of a Greenhouse Supplied by Renewable Sources

Abstract

This paper regards the design and dynamic modelling of a greenhouse coupled with renewable energy technologies to obtain a hybrid renewable energy plant as an optimal solution in the green farm framework. The considered technologies are PV panels, solar thermal collectors, and a biomass auxiliary heater. The system is also coupled with a pyrogasifier, supplied by wood and agricultural waste in the framework of a biocircular economic approach. To supply the investigated user, with a “green farm” located in Castelvolturno (Naples, South of Italy) reducing the energy consumption and operating costs, all of the main components of the plant were suitably designed. The operation of the designed components was simulated by a dynamic simulation model developed by TRNSYS software and validated by means of the literature results. A comprehensive energy, economic, and environmental analysis of the greenhouse is presented. The main results suggest that the investigated renewable plant reduces the total equivalent CO2 emissions by 148.66 t/y. Considering the current high increases in energy prices as a result of the energy crisis due to the war, the system shows very significant profitability with a simple payback of only 1.7 years.

Renewable Energy Systems 2023

“…Calise et al [17] developed a dynamic simulation study on the operation of a greenhouse coupled with renewable energy technologies. The paper is focused on the design of the system components in order to dynamically investigate the operation of this hybrid renewable energy plant.…”

Calibration and Implementation of a Dynamic Energy Balance Model to Estimate the Temperature in a Plastic-Covered Colombian Greenhouse

“…The dynamic model used in this research without the presence of cultivation was structured using the energy balance model applied by various researchers in different regions of the world [30,31]. This model is described using the following ordinary differential equation: The data outside and inside the experimental greenhouse were collected during the period from 27 March to 1 April 2023.…”