A Review of Greenhouse Energy Management by Using Building Energy Simulation

This paper attempts to present a review about simulation of different greenhouse parameters and energy supplying techniques by using building energy simulation, to find out the optimal solution for keeping greenhouse microclimate favorable for the crop production. The objectives of conducting this study were, to describe the various energy systems and techniques used for the greenhouse energy management and efficiency analysis of these technologies by using building energy simulation. We describe different models to understand the behavior of the energy saving technologies with respect to the resources available and different outside climatic conditions. We identified main features of the building energy simulation software, that enable users, to simulate hybrid agricultural building projects by using user defined parameters. At the end of the paper we draw some important concluding remarks on the basis of reviewing all the investigators contributions for the developments of simulation model of agricultural greenhouse energy management, using a building energy simulation software specifically TRNSYS. In conclusion, this paper provides information that TRNSYS have great potential for agricultural buildings energy simulation along with the renewable energy resources and energy saving techniques. This review paper provides aid to greenhouse researcher and energy planner for the future studies of greenhouses energy planning.