Thermal modelling of a passive style net-zero greenhouse in Alberta: The effect of ground parameters and the solar to air fraction

Agricultural greenhouses can provide a suitable microclimate for crops to thrive under extreme weather conditions. The operations of these greenhouses are expensive due to the energy requirement of the active thermal conditioning systems required to maintain the growing environment for crop production. Engineering of these greenhouses to utilize clean renewable energy sources is critical and necessary to mitigate their carbon footprint, paving the way to a more sustainable agricultural industry. This paper presents numerical modelling of a net-zero passive solar greenhouse in Alberta, Canada with winter temperatures below freezing. The indoor microclimate of the greenhouse is modelled using the detailed radiation model of a transient simulation tool, TRNSYS. The paper investigates the effects of ground parameters and the solar-to-air fraction on the numerical results. The paper includes a cost comparison between crop production in the traditional and passive style greenhouse

Greenhouse electrification via transactive energy management strategy

Distributed energy resources have grown significantly in Canada and the world over the past decade, particularly in the agricultural sector. As P2P (peer-to-peer) energy trading plays a fundamental role in renewable energy uptake and system flexibility for the low-carbon energy transition, this paper provides an overview of this approach from a techno-economic standpoint for two greenhouses located in Leamington, Ontario. The real-time site solar irradiation, ambient temperature, and load demand over 8760 h have been utilized to drive the designs. In this investigation, two cases are assessed for pepper greenhouse: Case I: energy purchase from the grid and Case II: energy purchase from excess energy of neighbor which is cucumber-tomato greenhouse. The integration of 50 kW PV/1 kWh battery/35 kW converter achieves the feasibility criteria by recording net present cost (NPC) and cost of energy (COE), which are $29.6k and$0.044/kWh, respectively

Fundamental and Advanced Topics in Wind Power

As the fastest growing source of energy in the world, wind has a very important role to play in the global energy mix. This text covers a spectrum of leading edge topics critical to the rapidly evolving wind power industry. The reader is introduced to the fundamentals of wind energy aerodynamics; then essential structural, mechanical, and electrical subjects are discussed. The book is composed of three sections that include the Aerodynamics and Environmental Loading of Wind Turbines, Structural and Electromechanical Elements of Wind Power Conversion, and Wind Turbine Control and System Integration. In addition to the fundamental rudiments illustrated, the reader will be exposed to specialized applied and advanced topics including magnetic suspension bearing systems, structural health monitoring, and the optimized integration of wind power into micro and smart grids

Sustaining Tomorrow Via Innovative Engineering

We cannot continue on a business-as-usual, carbon fuel dependent mode of operation, because the consequences of doing so are catching up with us. So, what must we do to ensure there is a tomorrow? In this book, experts from around the world come together to shed light on what we can do to preserve and expand resources key to the survival of human civilization - from the state-of-the-art of innovative engineering; to the latest status on energy, energy mix, and advancements in renewable energy - including the complementary energy storage using hydrogen; or innovative architecture for more sustainable buildings, including retrofitting of aging tall buildings; innovative ways to improve our air, water and coastline with nearshore biodiversity reclamation; to the subject of sustainable development through the water-energy-food nexus. This volume is recommended for research and graduate courses on energy and sustainability, and policymakers interested in the subjects

Methane and hydrogen for energy storage

Commercial energy storage has moved from the margins to the mainstream as it fosters flexibility in our smarter, increasingly integrated energy systems. Natural gas has been identified by many as the fuel to take us to the no-carbon horizon; where a hydrogen economy waits on development. These two actors are already connected in precursor applications as transitional solutions for hydrogen handling and transportation are sought ahead of a fully established hydrogen infrastructure. This monograph explores some of leading advances in methane and hydrogen storage as well as the interesting link between these two important elements in our evolving energy system mosaic. Topics covered include: hydrogen absorption for storage; power-to-gas for energy system integration and storage; methanation for power-to-gas applications; production of hydrogen from methane decarbonisation into power to gas scenarios; power-to-gas in an ancillary service market; methane in MOFs: where, why and how; thermal management as a key in storing adsorbed natural gas; and gas hydrate potential and development for methane storage