23 Process Modelling for an Efficient and Dynamic Energy …
369
23.4 Discussion and Conclusions
This study within a broader research study of protected horticulture towards sustainable production and ultra-efficient supply chain of protected crops presented preliminary results of one protected cropping cycle, as the basis for evidence-based information for growers in the region to explore possibilities of commercial protected
horticulture. Although protected cropping is shown to be a viable option for meeting
increased demand and high expectation of customers for fresh produce, energy
required for cooling and heating in the protected cropping is considered a major
overhead expense for maintaining a sustainable operation. In this research, the focus
was to investigate protected cropping from operational perspectives, in particular
analysis of environmental conditions, cycle time and yield outcomes. The analysis
of environmental conditions of the selected protected cropping cycle showed that this
high-tech facility has so far outperformed those measured in mid- to low-tech greenhouses within the parameters it was set to operate, and the harvesting part of protected
cropping cycle is considerable significant. The high yield may also be affected by
the small experimental areas (400m
2 ) and more intensive crop management in our
high-tech greenhouse as compared to large-scale of commercial greenhouses, which
usually have more than 1 ha in size (10,000 m
2 ).
In this study, the analysis of energy consumption over the production cycle indicates that daily energy consumption varies, due to the seasonal nature of temperature
and the need for maintaining desirable temperatures throughout. A viable comparison
was not conducted due to the lack of sufficient literature and comparable publically
available dataset. Therefore, further research is required to test the same crop in
the same facility with variations in energy saving strategies. Furthermore, protected
cropping yield has significantly high, compared to that of normal of cropping of the
selected produce. Although cost of energy consumption and other overheads are not
considered as it is outside of the scope of this study, future studies are required to
investigate the same, so protected cropping can be considered as viable option for
growers, not only meeting increasing demand, but also in a long-term economical
perspective.
Implications of this research include the importance of assessing the impact of
production cycle on overall performance, in particular setting the start of the cycle
which can influence the optimum crop production cycle from both environmental
and economic perspectives. Furthermore, shifting the start of the crop production
cycle will reduce the energy consumption throughout the production, hence meeting
the objective of sustainable operation and reducing environmental impacts. Overall,
it is expected that protected crop production provides desired and quality products
within acceptable costs, but further analysis is required for making protected crop
production a viable option for growers in the region, under acceptable sustainable
conditions with minimum impact on the environment.
369
23.4 Discussion and Conclusions
This study within a broader research study of protected horticulture towards sustainable production and ultra-efficient supply chain of protected crops presented preliminary results of one protected cropping cycle, as the basis for evidence-based information for growers in the region to explore possibilities of commercial protected
horticulture. Although protected cropping is shown to be a viable option for meeting
increased demand and high expectation of customers for fresh produce, energy
required for cooling and heating in the protected cropping is considered a major
overhead expense for maintaining a sustainable operation. In this research, the focus
was to investigate protected cropping from operational perspectives, in particular
analysis of environmental conditions, cycle time and yield outcomes. The analysis
of environmental conditions of the selected protected cropping cycle showed that this
high-tech facility has so far outperformed those measured in mid- to low-tech greenhouses within the parameters it was set to operate, and the harvesting part of protected
cropping cycle is considerable significant. The high yield may also be affected by
the small experimental areas (400m
2 ) and more intensive crop management in our
high-tech greenhouse as compared to large-scale of commercial greenhouses, which
usually have more than 1 ha in size (10,000 m
2 ).
In this study, the analysis of energy consumption over the production cycle indicates that daily energy consumption varies, due to the seasonal nature of temperature
and the need for maintaining desirable temperatures throughout. A viable comparison
was not conducted due to the lack of sufficient literature and comparable publically
available dataset. Therefore, further research is required to test the same crop in
the same facility with variations in energy saving strategies. Furthermore, protected
cropping yield has significantly high, compared to that of normal of cropping of the
selected produce. Although cost of energy consumption and other overheads are not
considered as it is outside of the scope of this study, future studies are required to
investigate the same, so protected cropping can be considered as viable option for
growers, not only meeting increasing demand, but also in a long-term economical
perspective.
Implications of this research include the importance of assessing the impact of
production cycle on overall performance, in particular setting the start of the cycle
which can influence the optimum crop production cycle from both environmental
and economic perspectives. Furthermore, shifting the start of the crop production
cycle will reduce the energy consumption throughout the production, hence meeting
the objective of sustainable operation and reducing environmental impacts. Overall,
it is expected that protected crop production provides desired and quality products
within acceptable costs, but further analysis is required for making protected crop
production a viable option for growers in the region, under acceptable sustainable
conditions with minimum impact on the environment.