Hydrogen and renewable energy sources integrated system for greenhouse heating

Abstract

A research is under development at the Department of AgroEnvironmental Sciences of the University of Bari "Aldo Moro" in order to investigate the suitable solutions of a power system based on solar energy (photovoltaic) and hydrogen, integrated with a geothermal heat pump for powering a self sustained heated greenhouse. The electrical energy for heat pump operation is provided by a purpose-built array of solar photovoltaic modules, which supplies also a water electrolyser system controlled by embedded pc; the generated dry hydrogen gas is conserved in suitable pressured storage tank. The hydrogen is used to produce electricity in a fuel cell in order to meet the above mentioned heat pump power demand when the photovoltaic system is inactive during winter night-time or the solar radiation level is insufficient to meet the electrical demand. The present work reports some theoretical and observed data about the electrolyzer operation. Indeed the electrolyzer has required particular attention because during the experimental tests it did not show a stable operation and it was registered a performance not properly consistent with the predicted performance by means of the theoretical study.

Farm Machinery and Processes Management in Sustainable Agriculture

“…It prevents dangerous shocks within the structure (equipotential connections between the metallic masses and SPD (surge protection device) insertion on the power lines). The aim of both these components is to protect against the very high voltages which, depending on the characteristics of the stroke and those of the protection system itself, cause potential differences between the protection system and the protected structure and metal objects close to the LPS that could affect electrical equipment (Blanco I., Sotirios Anifantis A., Pascuzzi S., Scarascia Mugnozza G. (2013); Manetto G., Cerruto E., Pascuzzi S., Santoro F. ( 2017 The design of an LPS starts from the evaluation of the risk of fulmination (EN 62305-1; 2; 3; 4). If higher than acceptable, is necessary to organize protective measures, otherwise, the structure is self-protected, and nothing has to be done.…”

Tensegrity greenhouse: an innovative covering structural system with low shading

“…Many of the research in the field of greenhouse facilities technologies focus on improving the use of resources. Sustainable agriculture goals are energy efficiency, climate control (Asdrubali et al, 2012;Chou et al, 2004;Hassanien et al, 2016;Blanco et al, 2013;Fabrizio 2012;Sethi and Sharma, 2007;Panwar et al, 2011) and water saving (Zaragoza et al,2007;Chapagain and Orr, 2009;Salokhe et al, 2005). At the same time, there are researches on technologies for crops in protected environment that focus on the study of structural elements and structural behavior analysis (Cepeda et al, 2013;Giacomelli et al, 2008;Waaijenberg, 2006;Iribarne et al, 2007;Castellano et al, 2004;Scarascia Mugnozza, 2003).…”

Common greenhouse conditioning plants compared with versatile geothermal system in ames, Iowa

“…Renewable energy technologies for the greenhouse industry are not ready yet to replace fossil-fuel use totally, but the interest of the public and scientific opinion grows more favourable from year to year. Several research projects are being conducted on renewable energy systems for greenhouses, heat pumps, and co-generation systems [6;7], on photovoltaic and thermal collectors for climate and ventilation supply [8][9][10], geothermal heating of water from artesian wells or geothermal sources [11][12][13] and hydrogen and renewable energy sources integrated systems for greenhouse heating [14][15][16][17]. In this paper, we will concentrate on the use of geothermal energy.…”