Integrating Greenhouse Energy Demand with Crop Yield Production: A Novel Dynamic Simulation Model

Greenhouse crop production facilities are among the most energy-intensive systems in the agricultural sector. This substantial energy demand is necessary for climate control and carbonic fertilization and is traditionally fulfilled by fossil fuels, leading to significant impacts on operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, there is a pressing need to innovate how greenhouses consume energy sources, aiming to achieve decarbonization goals while mitigating the escalating costs of greenhouse crop products. In this context, this paper proposes a novel approach based on dynamic simulation modelling to assess the indoor air conditions of greenhouse systems and to aid their design and operation. The greenhouses are modelled using an in-house building energy performance simulation tool developed in MatLab. This tool enables the evaluation of energy loads and requirements for maintaining desired hygrothermal conditions, as well as the dynamic response of cultivated crops. It also allows for the simulation of energy performance across various energy production systems, HVAC devices, and renewable energy technologies. The physical model of the greenhouse is constructed on a resistance-capacitance thermal network, capturing heat transfer and mass phenomena within the system. Two case study facilities, located in the weather zones of Bologna and Pisa, undergo modelling and simulation using the proposed tool to examine how greenhouse design and operation impact energy consumption. Additionally, the reliability of the developed tool is assessed through a preliminary validation against datasets obtained from the two case study facilities. Furthermore, to demonstrate the potential of the proposed methodology, an optimization procedure is conducted, incorporating a sensitivity analysis on fundamental design and operating parameters from both energy and economic standpoints. The developed tool is proposed as a valuable resource for stakeholders, aiding in the effective optimization of energy efficiency while balancing energy demand against crop yield.