A Simple and Effective Model for Predicting the Thermal Energy Requirements of Greenhouses in Europe

Anna-Maria N. Dimitropoulou (), Vasileios Z. Maroulis and Eugenia N. Giannini
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Anna-Maria N. Dimitropoulou: Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece
Vasileios Z. Maroulis: Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece
Eugenia N. Giannini: Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-27

Abstract: In this paper, a simple model is proposed for predicting the thermal energy requirements of greenhouses in Europe. The model estimates the annual heating requirements and the maximum required heating power, along with the corresponding heating and zero-energy operating periods. It is based on the greenhouse technical data (the overall heat loss coefficient, cover transmission, sensible absorbance), the cultivation conditions (temperature range), and the meteorological data (solar radiation and ambient temperature) according to the site characteristics (longitude and latitude). The model results can be obtained using a hand calculator. The model results are compared with those of a detailed model simulating a greenhouse’s thermal performance and they agreed with real data from the literature. Moreover, a model sensitivity analysis revealed the effect of various factors on the greenhouse’s energy requirements. The results proved that the most significant factor affecting heating requirements, the maximum heating power, and heating periods is the latitude of the greenhouse site, whereas zero-energy periods are primarily influenced by the plant cultivation temperature range and then by the latitude. According to our findings, in lower latitudes (40 to 50 degrees), heating requirements range from 250 to 430 kWh/m 2 /y, whereas, in higher latitudes (50 to 60 degrees), heating needs range from 430 to 650 kWh/m 2 /y.

Keywords: protected cultivation; greenhouse production; cultivation temperature; heating requirements; cooling requirements; heating period; cooling period; energy estimation; hydroponic greenhouses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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