IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i19p6788-d1246524.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Simple and Effective Model for Predicting the Thermal Energy Requirements of Greenhouses in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Anna-Maria N. Dimitropoulou

    (Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece)

  • Vasileios Z. Maroulis

    (Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece)

  • Eugenia N. Giannini

    (Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

In this paper, a simple model is proposed for predicting the thermal energy requirements of greenhouses in Europe. The model estimates the annual heating requirements and the maximum required heating power, along with the corresponding heating and zero-energy operating periods. It is based on the greenhouse technical data (the overall heat loss coefficient, cover transmission, sensible absorbance), the cultivation conditions (temperature range), and the meteorological data (solar radiation and ambient temperature) according to the site characteristics (longitude and latitude). The model results can be obtained using a hand calculator. The model results are compared with those of a detailed model simulating a greenhouse’s thermal performance and they agreed with real data from the literature. Moreover, a model sensitivity analysis revealed the effect of various factors on the greenhouse’s energy requirements. The results proved that the most significant factor affecting heating requirements, the maximum heating power, and heating periods is the latitude of the greenhouse site, whereas zero-energy periods are primarily influenced by the plant cultivation temperature range and then by the latitude. According to our findings, in lower latitudes (40 to 50 degrees), heating requirements range from 250 to 430 kWh/m 2 /y, whereas, in higher latitudes (50 to 60 degrees), heating needs range from 430 to 650 kWh/m 2 /y.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna-Maria N. Dimitropoulou & Vasileios Z. Maroulis & Eugenia N. Giannini, 2023. "A Simple and Effective Model for Predicting the Thermal Energy Requirements of Greenhouses in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-27, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:19:p:6788-:d:1246524
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/19/6788/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/19/6788/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kalliopi Tataraki & Eugenia Giannini & Konstantinos Kavvadias & Zacharias Maroulis, 2020. "Cogeneration Economics for Greenhouses in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-27, July.
    2. Yongtao Shen & Ruihua Wei & Lihong Xu, 2018. "Energy Consumption Prediction of a Greenhouse and Optimization of Daily Average Temperature," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Adnan Rasheed & Jong Won Lee & Hyun Woo Lee, 2018. "Development and Optimization of a Building Energy Simulation Model to Study the Effect of Greenhouse Design Parameters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Premaratne Samaranayake & Weiguang Liang & Zhong-Hua Chen & David Tissue & Yi-Chen Lan, 2020. "Sustainable Protected Cropping: A Case Study of Seasonal Impacts on Greenhouse Energy Consumption during Capsicum Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-23, August.
    5. Canakci, Murad & Yasemin Emekli, N. & Bilgin, Sefai & Caglayan, Nuri, 2013. "Heating requirement and its costs in greenhouse structures: A case study for Mediterranean region of Turkey," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 483-490.
    6. Abdel-Ghany, A.M. & Al-Helal, I.M., 2011. "Solar energy utilization by a greenhouse: General relations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 189-196.
    7. Tataraki, Kalliopi G. & Kavvadias, Konstantinos C. & Maroulis, Zacharias B., 2019. "Combined cooling heating and power systems in greenhouses. Grassroots and retrofit design," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Sedat Boyacı & Joanna Kocięcka & Barbara Jagosz & Atılgan Atılgan, 2025. "Energy Efficiency in Greenhouses and Comparison of Energy Sources Used for Heating," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-20, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hassanien, Reda Hassanien Emam & Li, Ming & Dong Lin, Wei, 2016. "Advanced applications of solar energy in agricultural greenhouses," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 989-1001.
    2. Premaratne Samaranayake & Chelsea Maier & Sachin Chavan & Weiguang Liang & Zhong-Hua Chen & David T. Tissue & Yi-Chen Lan, 2021. "Energy Minimisation in a Protected Cropping Facility Using Multi-Temperature Acquisition Points and Control of Ventilation Settings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Carson Kinney & Alireza Dehghani-Sanij & SeyedBijan Mahbaz & Maurice B. Dusseault & Jatin S. Nathwani & Roydon A. Fraser, 2019. "Geothermal Energy for Sustainable Food Production in Canada’s Remote Northern Communities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-25, October.
    4. Sedat Boyacı & Joanna Kocięcka & Barbara Jagosz & Atılgan Atılgan, 2025. "Energy Efficiency in Greenhouses and Comparison of Energy Sources Used for Heating," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-20, February.
    5. Ge, Quanwu & Ke, Zhixin & Liu, Yutong & Chai, Fu & Yang, Wenhua & Zhang, Zhili & Wang, Yang, 2023. "Low-carbon strategy of demand-based regulating heating and lighting for the heterogeneous environment in beijing Venlo-type greenhouse," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    6. Ghasemi Mobtaker, Hassan & Ajabshirchi, Yahya & Ranjbar, Seyed Faramarz & Matloobi, Mansour, 2016. "Solar energy conservation in greenhouse: Thermal analysis and experimental validation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA), pages 509-519.
    7. Jerónimo Ramos-Teodoro & Adrián Giménez-Miralles & Francisco Rodríguez & Manuel Berenguel, 2020. "A Flexible Tool for Modeling and Optimal Dispatch of Resources in Agri-Energy Hubs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-24, October.
    8. Heangwoo Lee & Chang-ho Choi & Minki Sung, 2018. "Development of a Dimming Lighting Control System Using General Illumination and Location-Awareness Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-19, November.
    9. Marucci, Alvaro & Cappuccini, Andrea, 2016. "Dynamic photovoltaic greenhouse: Energy efficiency in clear sky conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 362-376.
    10. Anifantis, Alexandros Sotirios & Colantoni, Andrea & Pascuzzi, Simone, 2017. "Thermal energy assessment of a small scale photovoltaic, hydrogen and geothermal stand-alone system for greenhouse heating," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 115-127.
    11. Achour, Yasmine & Ouammi, Ahmed & Zejli, Driss, 2021. "Technological progresses in modern sustainable greenhouses cultivation as the path towards precision agriculture," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    12. Zhang, Baogang & Fan, Xinying & Liu, Ming & Hao, Wengang, 2016. "Experimental study of the burning-cave hot water soil heating system in solar greenhouse," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(P3), pages 1113-1120.
    13. Uk-Hyeon Yeo & Sang-Yeon Lee & Se-Jun Park & Jun-Gyu Kim & Young-Bae Choi & Rack-Woo Kim & Jong Hwa Shin & In-Bok Lee, 2022. "Rooftop Greenhouse: (1) Design and Validation of a BES Model for a Plastic-Covered Greenhouse Considering the Tomato Crop Model and Natural Ventilation Characteristics," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-25, June.
    14. Artur Nemś & Magdalena Nemś & Klaudia Świder, 2018. "Analysis of the Possibilities of Using a Heat Pump for Greenhouse Heating in Polish Climatic Conditions—A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-23, September.
    15. Adriana Reyes-Lúa & Julian Straus & Vidar T. Skjervold & Goran Durakovic & Tom Ståle Nordtvedt, 2021. "A Novel Concept for Sustainable Food Production Utilizing Low Temperature Industrial Surplus Heat," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-23, August.
    16. Adnan Rasheed & Wook Ho Na & Jong Won Lee & Hyeon Tae Kim & Hyun Woo Lee, 2021. "Development and Validation of Air-to-Water Heat Pump Model for Greenhouse Heating," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-22, August.
    17. Li, Bo & Shi, Bijiao & Yao, Zhenzhu & Kumar Shukla, Manoj & Du, Taisheng, 2020. "Energy partitioning and microclimate of solar greenhouse under drip and furrow irrigation systems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    18. Rabiu, Anis & Adesanya, Misbaudeen Aderemi & Na, Wook-Ho & Ogunlowo, Qazeem O. & Akpenpuun, Timothy D. & Kim, Hyeon Tae & Lee, Hyun-Woo, 2023. "Thermal performance and energy cost of Korean multispan greenhouse energy-saving screens," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    19. Ioan Aschilean & Gabriel Rasoi & Maria Simona Raboaca & Constantin Filote & Mihai Culcer, 2018. "Design and Concept of an Energy System Based on Renewable Sources for Greenhouse Sustainable Agriculture," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-12, May.
    20. Jiaming Guo & Yanhua Liu & Enli Lü, 2019. "Numerical Simulation of Temperature Decrease in Greenhouses with Summer Water-Sprinkling Roof," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-15, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:19:p:6788-:d:1246524. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.