Simulation of Energy Flows in a Greenhouse: Magnitudes and Conservation Potential

ABSTRACT A simulation model describing transient greenhouse energy flows is presented. The calibration, valida-tion, and sensitivity of the model are presented in addi-tion to an analysis of certain winter heating season data showing overall energy conservation effects. The simulated heating requirements for a 7-month winter heating season were 8.9 percent less than calculated by conventional degree-day data when the base temperature was the same as the minimum green-house temperature. The simulated use of a thermal night curtain showed a potential reduction of approximately 40 percent from the conventional degree-day data and a 17 percent reduction beyond the simulated heating require-ments without the thermal curtain.