Energy, Greenhouse Gases and Production Agriculture in New York State

Producing fresh vegetables and fruits in controlled environments is a sector of New York State agriculture that could experience explosive growth. The goal of the Government/University partnership described in this report has been to identify energy management opportunities, both energy efficiency and electric peak load management strategies, to minimize the burden of CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) facilities on the utility grid in New York State. This collaboration has resulted in a system of fruit and vegetable production that offers many environmental and energy advantages to our current system in the U.S. Initial work resulted in development of a (patented) daily light integral control algorithm that has been tested and proven in a working greenhouse. A second stage has ended with a (patented) control algorithm to optimize the synergy between light and CO2 for plant growth. Computer simulations based on the algorithm predict greenhouse lighting can be reduced by half when CO2 is controlled optimally, with little change of crop productivity. Implementing the algorithm in a working greenhouse is planned. A next stage, yet to be started, would be to install a small refrigeration system in a working greenhouse, for limited air conditioning and humidity control, to prevent ventilation in response to modest cooling loads and permit yet more hours of CO2 supplementation. A concurrent effort involves analysis of the energy and carbon footprints of several CEA and seasonal outdoor products grown in New York for local consumption, with comparison to the same crops when imported.