Application of a dynamic hybrid energy-crop yield model to support the co-utilisation of mega infrastructure for food security

Abstract

As the global population continues to expand and the demand for food rises, countries must intensify local and sustainable food production to ensure food security. Therefore, this study aims to develop a framework for utilising the post-2022 FIFA World Cup™ infrastructure for food production by constructing greenhouse systems adjacent to recently built stadiums. The framework is based on; (1) the greenhouse requirement and yield model, (2) economic optimisation of the model to minimise the levelized cost of production, and (3) applying the optimised framework to the stadiums. Results illustrated that the night and day temperature set-points of 18/24 °C, relative humidity of 79%, CO2 concentration of 1050 ppm, leaf area index of 6 m2 leaf m−2 ground, plant density of 3.5 plants m−2, and glass as the covering material are the optimum parameters that produce yield at the lowest cost. The optimised model is applied to the stadiums, and the results demonstrated that 3752.92 tons year −1 of yield could be produced at a market competitive rate by utilising a small part of the available cooling. Furthermore, the developed framework is flexible and can be applied to retrofit existing infrastructure to support food production across the globe, creating a lasting legacy for all stakeholders.