Articles
Analysis of thermal energy loads of a building-integrated rooftop greenhouse (BiRTG) for urban agriculture
Article number
1426_55
Pages
397 – 402
Language
English
Abstract
Energy management of a building-integrated rooftop greenhouse (BiRTG) is considered one of the important factors.
Accordingly, the interest in energy simulation models has increased.
Energy load computed from the simulation model can be used for appropriate capacity calculation and optimal operation of the environmental control system.
In particular, because the thermal environment of greenhouses is sensitive to the external weather environment, dynamic energy simulations, such as building energy simulation (BES), play an essential role in understanding the complex mechanisms of heat transfer in greenhouses.
Depending on the type and crop density, there is a significant difference in the thermal energy loads of greenhouses.
Furthermore, ventilation is also an important factor affecting the energy input of the greenhouse.
Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the energy-saving efficiency of BiRTGs using BES and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques considering crop in a greenhouse.
BES is a calculation method for analyzing the heating and cooling loads of buildings; however, it was difficult to consider time-dependent changes in the ventilation characteristics in the BES model.
CFD can be used to calculate more detailed ventilation characteristics of an experimental facility.
Thus, CFD and the BES were combined to obtain more accurate BES-based data.
The BES-computed annual energy load for a single-span greenhouse in which tomatoes were grown was 490,128 MJ, whereas the annual energy load for growing tomatoes in a BiRTG resulted in a 5.2% reduction, on average (464,673 MJ). The energy-saving effects were positive from October to April.
Accordingly, the interest in energy simulation models has increased.
Energy load computed from the simulation model can be used for appropriate capacity calculation and optimal operation of the environmental control system.
In particular, because the thermal environment of greenhouses is sensitive to the external weather environment, dynamic energy simulations, such as building energy simulation (BES), play an essential role in understanding the complex mechanisms of heat transfer in greenhouses.
Depending on the type and crop density, there is a significant difference in the thermal energy loads of greenhouses.
Furthermore, ventilation is also an important factor affecting the energy input of the greenhouse.
Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the energy-saving efficiency of BiRTGs using BES and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques considering crop in a greenhouse.
BES is a calculation method for analyzing the heating and cooling loads of buildings; however, it was difficult to consider time-dependent changes in the ventilation characteristics in the BES model.
CFD can be used to calculate more detailed ventilation characteristics of an experimental facility.
Thus, CFD and the BES were combined to obtain more accurate BES-based data.
The BES-computed annual energy load for a single-span greenhouse in which tomatoes were grown was 490,128 MJ, whereas the annual energy load for growing tomatoes in a BiRTG resulted in a 5.2% reduction, on average (464,673 MJ). The energy-saving effects were positive from October to April.
Publication
Authors
U.H. Yeo, I.B. Lee
Keywords
building energy simulation (BES), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), greenhouse, thermal energy loads, urban agriculture
Groups involved
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Working Group Nettings in Horticulture (subgroup of Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates)
- Working Group Light in Horticulture
- Working Group Organic Greenhouse Horticulture
- Working Group Vegetable Grafting
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Working Group Protected Cultivation, Nettings and Screens for Mild Climates
- Working Group Computational Fluid Dynamics in Agriculture
- Working Group Design and Automation in Integrated Indoor Production Systems
- Working Group Mechanization, Digitization, Sensing and Robotics
- Working Group Greenhouse Environment and Climate Control
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Working Group Vertical Farming
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