THE APPLICATION OF AQUIFER THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE IN THE CANADIAN GREENHOUSE INDUSTRY

A comprehensive study was completed in 2007 to critically evaluate the fit of aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) technology and the feasibility of “closing” a greenhouse for enhanced operation in the Canadian climate.
A detailed thermal energy model (using the Transient System Simulation [TRNSYS] package) was constructed to simulate the greenhouse energy flow.
The model included detailed energy transfer of a large greenhouse operation with the surrounding environment, space shading (for solar input reduction and thermal insulation), interior relative humidity, plant transpiration and growth rate, ventilation, mechanical equipment and measured hourly weather conditions (temperature, solar and wind). The greenhouse model was calibrated by comparing fuel consumption records for a conventional (vented) greenhouse against measured weather conditions and actual operational control strategy.
Using this calibrated greenhouse energy model, the energy performance for a traditional greenhouse operation (vented passive cooling) and the ATES assisted “closed” greenhouse was studied and compared.
Detailed analysis demonstrated that the ATES technology and the partially-closed greenhouse concept could work in the Canadian climate and economic conditions.
Significant reduction in natural gas consumption (and the avoided greenhouse gas emissions) can be realized to contribute to the competitiveness of the greenhouse industry in Canada in the years to come, as well as lowering the carbon footprint of commercial greenhouse operations.

International Symposium on High Technology for Greenhouse Systems: GreenSys2009

B. Wong, L. McClung, A. Snijders, D. McClenahan, J. Thornton

aquifer thermal energy storage, energy modeling

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.893.42