23 Process Modelling for an Efficient and Dynamic Energy …
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type of produce (Zarei et al. 2017) and environmental impacts due to compost
produced from agricultural waste (Bartzas et al. 2015). This concern has been exacerbated in recent times, due to increasing population leading to greater food demand
(Torrellas et al. 2012a; Dias et al. 2017), increasing businesses’ competiveness as well
as sustainability in terms of economic development and social well-being (Borghi
et al. 2014). From economic perspective, food production significantly contributes
to consumption of resources and impacts on environment, where food products are
responsible for 20–30% of the environmental impacts of total consumption (European Commission 2006; Cellura et al. 2012; Borghi et al. 2014). On the other hand,
it is recognised that there is shortage of vegetables to meet global requirements, in
particular under current population growth and apparent promotion of healthy diets
(Dias et al. 2017). In this context, greenhouse food production is considered as an
alternative approach to food production, not only meeting increasing demand for
vegetables and but also operating under certain conditions such as cold climates
(Dias et al. 2017). It is evident from various studies on greenhouse food production
that focus has been benchmarking of current practices as the basis for improving the
industry from the perspectives of energy consumption and environmental concerns
(Dias et al. 2017), life cycle assessment of selected food production systems (Blengini
and Busto 2009) and environmental and economic assessment of greenhouse crops
in cold and warm climates (Torrellas et al. 2012a).
Although protected cropping provides a stable and controlled production environment, energy required for cooling and heating is considered a major overhead
expense for maintaining a sustainable operation. Many researchers focused on
various types, designs and configurations of protected cropping environment, and
benefits of increased quality and high yield crop production. Nevertheless, studies on
the energy consumption in the protected cropping environment and its environmental
impacts were scarce in the literature. Research studies focusing on protected cropping have reported mainly positive outcomes of selected crops in selected regions,
suggesting there is a limited understanding of best practices of protected cropping.
The broader research project of which the first stage reported in this paper aims to
address the lack of research into how crop production can be optimised, by selecting
a produce that is being considered in high demand, but not considered in previous
research within this context. This research is based on a case study of protected crop
production at a selected facility in the local context. The scope of the case study is
one cycle of selected crop in the facility and associated energy consumption and crop
yield data. Key areas of investigation include exploring the crop production cycle
in terms of energy consumption and influence of crop cycle timing for optimum
yield production under given environmental conditions. The research background
around key themes associated with the topic is outlined next, followed by the research
methodology. Key objectives of the research are to:
(i) understand dynamic climate conditions and energy consumption during the crop
production cycle, and
363
type of produce (Zarei et al. 2017) and environmental impacts due to compost
produced from agricultural waste (Bartzas et al. 2015). This concern has been exacerbated in recent times, due to increasing population leading to greater food demand
(Torrellas et al. 2012a; Dias et al. 2017), increasing businesses’ competiveness as well
as sustainability in terms of economic development and social well-being (Borghi
et al. 2014). From economic perspective, food production significantly contributes
to consumption of resources and impacts on environment, where food products are
responsible for 20–30% of the environmental impacts of total consumption (European Commission 2006; Cellura et al. 2012; Borghi et al. 2014). On the other hand,
it is recognised that there is shortage of vegetables to meet global requirements, in
particular under current population growth and apparent promotion of healthy diets
(Dias et al. 2017). In this context, greenhouse food production is considered as an
alternative approach to food production, not only meeting increasing demand for
vegetables and but also operating under certain conditions such as cold climates
(Dias et al. 2017). It is evident from various studies on greenhouse food production
that focus has been benchmarking of current practices as the basis for improving the
industry from the perspectives of energy consumption and environmental concerns
(Dias et al. 2017), life cycle assessment of selected food production systems (Blengini
and Busto 2009) and environmental and economic assessment of greenhouse crops
in cold and warm climates (Torrellas et al. 2012a).
Although protected cropping provides a stable and controlled production environment, energy required for cooling and heating is considered a major overhead
expense for maintaining a sustainable operation. Many researchers focused on
various types, designs and configurations of protected cropping environment, and
benefits of increased quality and high yield crop production. Nevertheless, studies on
the energy consumption in the protected cropping environment and its environmental
impacts were scarce in the literature. Research studies focusing on protected cropping have reported mainly positive outcomes of selected crops in selected regions,
suggesting there is a limited understanding of best practices of protected cropping.
The broader research project of which the first stage reported in this paper aims to
address the lack of research into how crop production can be optimised, by selecting
a produce that is being considered in high demand, but not considered in previous
research within this context. This research is based on a case study of protected crop
production at a selected facility in the local context. The scope of the case study is
one cycle of selected crop in the facility and associated energy consumption and crop
yield data. Key areas of investigation include exploring the crop production cycle
in terms of energy consumption and influence of crop cycle timing for optimum
yield production under given environmental conditions. The research background
around key themes associated with the topic is outlined next, followed by the research
methodology. Key objectives of the research are to:
(i) understand dynamic climate conditions and energy consumption during the crop
production cycle, and