Optimal design of a hybrid power generation system for greenhouses

Due to the climatic crisis and the increase of the energy price the issue of energy supply becomes crucial parameter in the design of greenhouses. One way to tackle both the problem of climate change and the cost of energy is the local production of energy from renewable sources. Since one renewable source, like photovoltaic is often unprofitable to effectively cover the energy needs of a greenhouse, the design of a hybrid energy production system combining different renewable sources, storage systems and conventional sources is often proposed. In this design dual purpose should be served: the use of photovoltaic in the roof of greenhouses not to reduce production, to achieve the lowest final cost of energy produced with the smallest possible environmental footprint. The present work addresses the multifactorial problem of the optimal design (production quality, electricity cost and CO2) of a hybrid power generation system (with photovoltaic, wind turbine, batteries and oil generating unit) to meet greenhouse needs. The design takes into account the needs of production (tomato cultivation) of different greenhouses and different solar and wind potentials. The hybrid system is optimised, using HOMER software, in terms of minimum cost of energy production and minimum environmental footprint. © 2022, VDI Verlag GMBH. All rights reserved.