Investigation and Development of Renewable Energy Supported Greenhouse Design Methods

Greenhouses are production facilities constructed with special cover elements that allow plants to be grown in a way that is not affected by meteorological conditions. In order to create a suitable environment for plants to be cultivated, energy-consuming systems such as heating and ventilation systems are used. Heating systems, especially for greenhouses established in areas with continental climate, are one of the biggest expense items and also increase production costs. The efficient use of energy and the use of alternative energy sources help prevent energy waste by reducing production costs. In the feasibility studies to be carried out during the greenhouse installation phase, while evaluating the types of sources that can be used, the energy load profile, and the control systems in order to reduce values such as installation and operating costs and CO2 emissions, energy continuity should also be taken into account. In this study, it is aimed to determine the optimum energy system for the greenhouses to be established by using linear optimization method. As a result of the calculations made using the linear optimization method, it has been determined that the energy cost will be reduced by approximately 65% by using renewable energy supported electrical energy instead of fossil fuels in the production of heat energy. In addition, it has been determined that using the linear optimization method in determining the optimum amount of fossil fuel to be used in the heating of the greenhouse will reduce the average heating cost by 35% and CO2 emission by 55%.