Greenhouse temperature predictive control for energy saving using switch actuators

Abstract

Achieving suitable temperature conditions for crop growth by advanced control strategies is a fundamental issue in greenhouses. One of the greatest problems in greenhouse temperature control is energy consumption. In order to achieve set point tracking and cost requirements reduction, this work addresses the design of a model-based predictive control strategy using switch actuators as heater and ventilation windows to regulate greenhouse temperature. A model predictive controller calculates optimal on-off actuator switch combinations based on control precision and energy loss. A weighting factor in cost performance is used to distribute the proportion of reference deviation and operating cost. The developed control algorithm is executed in simulation. Performance of the controller with different weighting factors is studied in simulation, the operating consumption only constitutes 61.5% that of the common model predictive controller without consideration of operation cost.