Episode
31

Inside A Greenhouse: Energy Operation with Derek Schulze

January 26, 2022
|
Duration:
2434310
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In This Episode:

Join David Arkell, John Pooley, and greenhouse expert Derek Schulze on an episode about a greenhouse's energy operation. This episode highlights the current status of greenhouse operators energy knowledge, tools and resources, energy usage and cost, carbon emissions, and more.

Highlights

  • Energy Sources in Greenhouses:
    Schulze covers various heating sources in greenhouses, such as gas, wood, and even electricity and geothermal in some research settings. He discusses the importance of hot water heating, which is commonly used in professional greenhouses.
  • Lighting Options:
    Traditional HPS lighting and newer LED lights are compared. Schulze highlights that, while LED lights are more efficient in certain scenarios, they lack the radiant heat produced by HPS lights, which can help control plant humidity and reduce disease.
  • Water and Electricity Use:
    Water heating systems use several types of pumps, including main circulation pumps, zone pumps, and booster pumps, all of which contribute to a significant amount of electricity consumption in greenhouses.
  • The Challenge of Biomass Heating:
    Schulze describes his experience with biomass heating, noting the operational challenges, including sourcing materials and maintaining equipment, which sometimes offset the cost savings of biomass.
  • Role of Academic Research:
    Schulze underscores the importance of research in advancing greenhouse technology, such as work on glazing materials and transparent solar panels, which can enhance light transmission and thermal efficiency.
  • Key Insights

  • Balancing Efficiency and Plant Health:
    Schulze stresses the need to balance energy savings with plant health, as excessive energy reductions can lead to humidity issues, slowed growth, and longer production times.
  • Economic Decision-Making:
    Greenhouse operators prioritize economically viable solutions rather than adhering to any particular technology, choosing what works best for productivity and cost-effectiveness.
  • The Role of Monitoring Systems:
    Schulze emphasizes the importance of using computer systems to track energy use and make data-driven adjustments, which can lead to significant efficiency improvements.
  • Future of Greenhouse Technology:
    He predicts that greenhouses will play a vital role in food production as climate change makes outdoor farming less reliable, highlighting the importance of technological innovation.
  • Greenhouse Sector Growth:
    Globally, the greenhouse industry is expanding rapidly, especially in regions facing food security challenges, with advances in energy-efficient solutions driving this growth.
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