The fact that the topic of energy saving is relevant was already clear long before the consequences of recent international events led to an increase in energy prices. Energy saving, in fact, also means protecting the environment, reducing costs and it is the basis of a beneficial process that leads to cascade of economies of scale as well as benefits to the quality of life and quality of production.
Idromeccanica Lucchini has long been implementing technological solutions and systems that promote energy savings even in their greenhouses and ensure an improved economic and environmental balance.
A good design
The basis of a greenhouse system with low energy impact is a well-thought-out design. Regardless of whether the crop under consideration is more or less energy-intensive, a system that reduces waste and operating costs must be designed before a greenhouse is set up. The health and productivity of crops are always at the heart of the design of Idromeccanica Lucchini and, according to this, Idromeccanica Lucchini's technicians develop an efficient system with the lowest possible energy consumption. The architecture of the volumes and the working environment are in fact fundamental to give the greenhouse the ideal climatic characteristics for the health and productivity of the plant. Idromeccanica Lucchini meets these needs by introducing appropriate passive and active systems.
Passive systems
To achieve lower energy consumption it is necessary to be able to use systems that better stabilize the air conditioning inside the greenhouse without using heating or cooling tools. Idromeccanica Lucchini offers a range of advanced measures to achieve the ideal temperature, light and humidity depending on the type of plant.
- Two-film coatings work for solar radiation and thermal management and greatly reduce the use of electrical thermal components.
- Passive ventilation, consisting of windows and strategic openings on the surface of the greenhouse, controlled by intelligent software with predictive models, reduces the exchange of energy with the outside of the greenhouse in order to keep the heat naturally stored inside, while at the same time allowing the right aeration for the well-being of the crop.
- Durable plastic materials that are resistant to snow, hail and wind are more environmentally friendly and cost effective than iron and glass combinations. They also insulate the greenhouse better and save energy and therefore reduce energy costs.
- Thermo-shading screens protect the plant and allow to better manage the sunlight.
- Coating on the structure or on exterior walls of the greenhouse helps dissipate summer heat by reducing the need for mechanical cooling and provides more light for the plant in winter, reducing the need for lighting and heating. By letting through the same visible solar spectrum, it blocks the short wavelengths of light that create excess heat without hindering photosynthesis.
Active air conditioning or energy generation
To save energy, in addition to equip the greenhouse with passive systems, it is also necessary to design a greenhouse that also includes active air conditioning and equipment capable of producing energy. Idromeccanica Lucchini is able to provide this type of equipment to better integrate the greenhouse and make it an eco-sustainable and high performance tool.
- Active air conditioning (both heating and cooling) is powered not with fossil fuels but with renewable sources. Regeneration with biomass, biogas and geothermal energy is part of the circular economy where plant waste is reused to maintain the right climate in the greenhouse. The plant is controlled in a computerized way using sensors and predictive systems that minimize energy consumption. With these tools it is also possible to store both energy and water to make the greenhouse independent and autonomous even in times of crisis.
- Photovoltaic panels for energy production can be placed both on the roof of the technical room and on the production blocks to create real vertical farm or hydroponic greenhouses powered by renewable sources. The installation of the panels takes place after a careful study of the calculation of the exposure and the degree of transmission in order to optimize the performance of the panel and to homogenize the sunlight so as not to create areas of excessive shade or excessive heat. The generated energy is used for the operation of the greenhouse and for the well-being of the plant. In the near future it will also be possible to sell the excess energy produced.
