Greenhouse energy management: The thermal interaction of greenhouses with the ground

Abstract

Abstract Agriculture is one of mankind's most ecologically impactful activities, representing 70% of society's water usage and 13% of greenhouse gas emissions along with direct impacts on ecologies through land usage, habitat destruction and fertilizer runoff. Global population and per capita demand for food are both growing steadily, so it can be expected that agriculture's ecological impacts will continue to escalate rapidly. Intensive farming techniques are needed, not only to increase crop production but also to manage ecological damage. Greenhouse temperature is instrumental in determining crop yields and water usage, while active ventilation has been shown to contribute significantly to evaporative water losses. It follows that passive methods of greenhouse temperature management are crucial to affordable and efficient agriculture, particularly in developing nations. This research uses continuous temperature logging in small experimental greenhouse units to better understand their thermal interaction with the ground and to evaluate possible modifications in terms of their thermal effects. It is found that partial burying of greenhouses is an effective means of temperature stabilization in hot climates. The analysis showed energy savings of up to 13% and water savings up to 8% are possible, with a payback period of less than a month. This demonstrates that partial burying is both environmentally and financially favourable.