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Description
ClimaGreen will investigate by proof-of-concept how the productivity of a greenhouses situated in Romania can be increased several times through optimized climatic indoor conditions, integration of sustainable energy supply by means of a heat pump and seasonal thermal energy storage. The aim is to control and optimise the growing conditions for agricultural products, to minimise the energy usage and reduce climate gas emissions. ClimaGreen will contribute to a more energy-efficient and environment-friendly operation of greenhouses in general, while at the same time enhancing the overall productivity by increased growth of greenhouse plants and vegetables for sites in Romania. An integrated part of the work will be to investigate seasonal thermal energy storage of the summer excess heat.The research work will focus on identifying the energy savings potential of a greenhouse by replacing the currently used fossil-fuelled gas boiler by heat pumps solutions. The heat pumps can simultaneously provide both heating and cooling to the greenhouse operation. In addition to minimising primary energy demand, an integrated heat pump has therefore the potential for optimising the climatic conditions of the greenhouse by means of temperature and humidity control. Improved climatic conditions for growth of plants and vegetables will contribute to enhanced overall greenhouse efficiency and productivity.
A further part of the project will investigate the applicability of seasonal thermal storage. The excess heat from summertime can be stored in e.g. a borehole in order to heat the greenhouse during winter conditions. Such a system will potentially increase the production period for Romanian greenhouses by several months.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address key challenges in greenhouse operation related to energy efficiency, productivity, and the shift from fossil to renewable energy sources. Greenhouses in Romania, like in many other countries, often rely on fossil-based systems for heating, which are energy-intensive and environmentally harmful. A major challenge was reducing the greenhouse''s energy consumption and environmental impact. Romanian greenhouses also face extreme temperature fluctuations, with very hot summers and cold winters. In this regard, the challenge was to maintain optimal temperature and humidity for the plants throughout the year. Additionally, excess summer heat was not utilized while there was no heating demand in the summer, so efficient thermal energy storage was needed. Poor climate control further hindered productivity, necessitating a demonstration of enhanced greenhouse productivity compared to outdoor and conventional greenhouse production. The project also aimed to advance scientific understanding and technological implementation of energy-efficient greenhouse operations, demonstrate the feasibility of integrated heat pump systems, and raise awareness of advanced greenhouse technologies among Romanian farmers and producer. The project aimed to provide new improved technologies for tomato in greenhouse conditions and to attract young researchers, both foreign and Romanian, PhD and MSc students, in European research.
The project designed and installed a prototype integrated heat pump system in the USAMV greenhouse, featuring three heat pumps, six air handling units (AHUs) located in three 160 m2 greenhouse compartments, including the necessary pumps and piping. The heat pumps had a total installed capacity of approximately 280 kW for heating and 210 kW for cooling. Additionally, 15 boreholes, each 110 m deep, were drilled for borehole thermal energy storage (BTES). The heat pumps are connected to the BTES and to a 200 kW dry cooler outside of the greenhouse with conditioned air distributed through hoses connected to the AHUs. CO2 is supplied from installed CO2 bottles. This fully operational heat pump system provides both heating and cooling, optimizing temperature and humidity for enhanced plant growth. The BTES allows excess summer heat to be stored for winter use, extending the greenhouse''s productive period. Collaboration between project partners enabled practical testing and theoretical work through modelling and simulation, validating the proof-of- concept. The work engaged graduate students in research, promoting knowledge exchange and capacity building. Targeted events and outreach to stakeholders provided new knowledge and best practices for farmers and entrepreneurs, including dissemination to attract young researchers and foster long-term research collaborations.
As a result of project, the fully operational heat pump system installed in the greenhouse, actually prototype ClimaGreen with patent request, provides both heating and cooling, optimizing temperature and humidity for enhanced plant growth and productivity. Maintain well controlled growing conditions all seasons in the greenhouse increased the productivity of tomato tested cultivars. This makes the research greenhouse useful for further research applications and projects, as well as to demonstrate new developed technologies for students, farmers, public authorities and entrepreneurs. We created 3 additional new job positions for young researchers, published 15 peer-reviewed scientific publications (4 of them submitted with SINTEF researchers), 2 joint applications for further funding in EU, 1 jointly registered application IPP with both Norwegian partners. This new implemented and validated concept is more accessible for researchers, students and everybody interested in greenhouse technologies, as well as in environmental green technologies to reduce fossil fuel-firing and to increase C storage. This project is expected to help to expand knowledge and use of heat pump technologies and to contribute to putting our university and Romania at a high level of European research high level.
Summary of bilateral results
The established partnership for ClimaGreen concept design, implementation and validation is also important for future initiatives for funding and research projects towards optimised greenhouses and food production both in Romania and on the global scale. The bilateral cooperation was strength with SINTEF, especially, since we published together 4 scientific papers, submitted 2 european project proposals (GrennCarb and TESSA). Last month we involved them in the summer schol organised by our university on MARIGREEN project. We will continue to cooperate in different common fields, like horticulture, food or feed proccesing and storage, energy-efficient and sustainable sistems.