Energy- and yield-based performance evaluation of a phase change material–integrated single-span double-layered with a thermal screen greenhouse

Abstract

Greenhouse technology emerged to ensure the optimum yield of the host crop —a prerequisite to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 2. To achieve this, supplemental energy is needed under extreme weather conditions at about half the operational cost. Researchers have focused and succeeded in reducing the energy demand using numerical methods with little focus on the impact of these methods on crop yield. A novel greenhouse system—phase change material–integrated single-span double-layered strawberry greenhouse with a thermal screen—is introduced herein. Furthermore, how the energy management method affects the yield of the host crop is explored. Moreover, the energy-saving potential and yield enhancement achieved by integrating PCMs and other passive thermal-management systems in a specific agricultural setting is investigated. TRNSYS 18 software is used to evaluate the effect of three passive variables on two performance indices. The passive variables are location: Daegu (DG), Seoul, and Jeju Island (JE); orientation: 90° (E-W), 45° (NE-SW), and 0° (N-S); and PCM type: “No-fill”, water, and Paraffin (ParC13–C24). The effect of thermal screen control was also studied on the localized optium configuration. Finally, economic analysis was conducted to ascertain the most sustainable configuration. The performance indices are the heating demand and strawberry yield. The results show that the location, orientation, and PCM usage inside the greenhouse greatly affect the greenhouse’s heating demand and crop yield. The configuration selected must be in such a way that the indoor nighttime temperature does not exceed 2 °C above the minimum nighttime optimum value of the host crop.