Agro-Industrial Symbiosis and Alternative Heating Systems for Decreasing the Global Warming Potential of Greenhouse Production

Miika P. Marttila, Ville Uusitalo, Lassi Linnanen and Mirja H. Mikkilä
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Miika P. Marttila: Department of Sustainability Science, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland
Ville Uusitalo: Department of Sustainability Science, LUT University, Mukkulankatu 19, 15210 Lahti, Finland
Lassi Linnanen: Department of Sustainability Science, LUT University, Mukkulankatu 19, 15210 Lahti, Finland
Mirja H. Mikkilä: Department of Sustainability Science, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-21

Abstract: Greenhouses require large amounts of energy, which is the dominant factor making greenhouses more emission intensive than open-field cultivation. Alternative heating systems, such as combined heat and power (CHP), biogas, and industrial waste heat, are continuously being researched for reducing the environmental impacts of greenhouses. This paper assesses utilizing industrial waste heat and CO 2 enrichment in greenhouses as an example to propose “agro-industrial symbiosis” (AIS), to refer to a symbiotic co-operation between agricultural and industrial partners. The global warming potentials (GWPs) of greenhouse production using different heating systems are inadequately compared in the literature, which is the research gap addressed herein. Additionally, potential emission reductions of greenhouse production with industrial waste heat are yet to be assessed via lifecycle assessment (LCA). A comparative LCA of Finnish greenhouse tomato and cucumber production using various heating systems was conducted. Naturally, replacing fossil fuels with bioenergy and renewables significantly decreases the GWP. CHP systems result in decreased GWP only when using biogas as the energy source. Additionally, utilizing industrial waste heat and CO 2 resulted in a low GWP. These results are applicable worldwide to guide political decision-making and clean energy production in the horticultural sector.

Keywords: greenhouse production; heating systems; lifecycle assessment; global warming potential; agro-industrial symbiosis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:9040-:d:613229

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