In modern industrial greenhouses, sensors have long been measuring the temperature in and transmitting it to the climate computer. But the value of the sensor only refers to the immediate vicinity of it, while the temperature in the greenhouse is usually not uniform. Air movement, the sun and the plants themselves, among other things, can cause significant temperature fluctuations in the greenhouse.
To solve this problem, scientists from Wageningen University (Netherlands) have developed a 3D model of the greenhouse climate. The temperature in the greenhouse is one of the most important variables for the grower, on which the growth of the crop depends. However, never and nowhere is it equally hot or cold. As a result, for example, differences in crop growth may occur or control may not be optimal.
The university has developed a greenhouse climate model in which the user can enter a large number of variables about the greenhouse (e.g. size, height, location), the climate control system (e.g. heating, ventilation), greenhouse cover properties (glass, light transmission, etc.). ), shield (material, insulating capacity, position) and crop (crop type, size, etc.). In the end, all these variables determine the distribution of heat in the greenhouse. In addition, the user can enter weather conditions (such as wind and solar radiation) as well as the time and day of the year (which determines the position of the sun).
Based on all these variables, the model calculates the climate (eg temperature and humidity) per cubic centimeter, creating a three-dimensional (length, width, height) climate map of the greenhouse. The model can also calculate the consequences of certain cultivation activities. For example, an agronomist on a computer can simulate the opening or closing of several windows, and the model will show how this will affect the temperature distribution in a greenhouse. The model was validated in 2022 by comparison with practical measurements.
The 3D climate model is currently used for research purposes only. The reason for this is that the calculations are time consuming. However, in the future it will be possible to import scenarios from the model into a climate computer so that these scenarios can be used to predict the effect of cultivation measures.
