Dynamic Modelling and Energy, Economic, and Environmental Analysis of a Greenhouse Supplied by Renewable Sources

This paper regards the design and dynamic modelling of a greenhouse coupled with renewable energy technologies to obtain a hybrid renewable energy plant as an optimal solution in the green farm framework. The considered technologies are PV panels, solar thermal collectors, and a biomass auxiliary heater. The system is also coupled with a pyrogasifier, supplied by wood and agricultural waste in the framework of a biocircular economic approach. To supply the investigated user, with a green farm located in Castelvolturno (Naples, South of Italy) reducing the energy consumption and operating costs, all of the main components of the plant were suitably designed. The operation of the designed components was simulated by a dynamic simulation model developed by TRNSYS software and validated by means of the literature results. A comprehensive energy, economic, and environmental analysis of the greenhouse is presented. The main results suggest that the investigated renewable plant reduces the total equivalent CO2 emissions by 148.66 t/y. Considering the current high increases in energy prices as a result of the energy crisis due to the war, the system shows very significant profitability with a simple payback of only 1.7 years.

Automated summary

This paper focuses on the design and dynamic modelling of a greenhouse integrated with renewable energy technologies, aiming to achieve a hybrid renewable energy plant as an optimal solution in the context of a green farm. The studied technologies include PV panels, solar thermal collectors, and a biomass auxiliary heater. The system is also connected to a pyrogasifier, which is supplied by wood and agricultural waste to promote a biocircular economic approach. Various analyses are performed, including energy, economic, and environmental evaluations, revealing the significant reduction of CO2 emissions and profitability of the investigated renewable plant.