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A Smart Heating System Based on Integrated Renewable Energy Sources for Swine Nursery Buildings

Author

Listed:
  • Stefano Benni

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Carlos Alejandro Perez Garcia

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Marco Bovo

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Alberto Barbaresi

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Francesco Tinti

    (Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy)

  • Alexander Loris

    (MG Sustainable Engineering AB, Stationsgatan 23, 75340 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Iván P. Acosta-Pazmiño

    (MG Sustainable Engineering AB, Stationsgatan 23, 75340 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Panteleimon Bakalis

    (PSYCTOTHERM G. LIGEROS AND SIA OE, 185 40 Piraeus, Greece)

  • Patrizia Tassinari

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Daniele Torreggiani

    (Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

The control of environmental parameters in livestock farming is essential to achieve optimal ranges of temperature and humidity. HVAC systems for this purpose are characterized by high energy demands, causing significant GHG emissions when relying on fossil fuels. The aim of this study is the development and testing of a sustainable heating system for a nursery barn hosting 2500 weaners, as well as the assessment of the effectiveness and the performance of the new system. This work involved the implementation of a renewable energy source (RES) system incorporating a borehole thermal energy storage and photovoltaic thermal collectors, integrated with a Dual-Source Heat Pump. A smart control system was installed and the collected data were processed to define the optimal settings of the integrated plant for energy production and efficiency. The performance in terms of the control of the environmental conditions of the nursery barn was assessed on the basis of the environmental parameters analyzed, with particular reference to the animal-occupied zones. The results showed that a mix of RESs can be properly defined and integrated in an automated heating system to meet the specific requirements of a swine farm, thanks to a project specifically designed to exploit the renewable resources typically available in farming environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefano Benni & Carlos Alejandro Perez Garcia & Marco Bovo & Alberto Barbaresi & Francesco Tinti & Alexander Loris & Iván P. Acosta-Pazmiño & Panteleimon Bakalis & Patrizia Tassinari & Daniele Torregg, 2025. "A Smart Heating System Based on Integrated Renewable Energy Sources for Swine Nursery Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:6:p:1393-:d:1610301
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alberti, Luca & Antelmi, Matteo & Angelotti, Adriana & Formentin, Giovanni, 2018. "Geothermal heat pumps for sustainable farm climatization and field irrigation," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 187-200.
    2. Shad Mahfuz & Hong-Seok Mun & Muhammad Ammar Dilawar & Chul-Ju Yang, 2022. "Applications of Smart Technology as a Sustainable Strategy in Modern Swine Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Andrea Costantino, 2023. "Development, Validation, and Application of Building Energy Simulation Models for Livestock Houses: A Systematic Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-28, December.
    4. Danijela Nikolić & Saša Jovanović & Nebojša Jurišević & Novak Nikolić & Jasna Radulović & Minja Velemir Radović & Isidora Grujić, 2025. "Sustainable Design in Agriculture—Energy Optimization of Solar Greenhouses with Renewable Energy Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-29, January.
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