Estimating Energy Needs for Climate-Controlled Greenhouses in Syria with a Software Tool

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 7 Sayı: 6, 1187 - 1193, 15.11.2024

Laith Ghanem , Gürkan Alp Kağan Gürdil , Bahadır Demirel , Mohamedeltayib Omer Salih Eissa

https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1480016

Öz

Amid the current conditions in Syria, the study of energy consumption within plastic greenhouses emerges as a fundamental element in the agricultural economy, especially in areas subject to extreme climate variations. With many thermal power stations ceasing operation due to conflicts and the diminishing sources of energy, understanding energy consumption becomes more urgent to enhance productivity and reduce costs. Successful management of protected agriculture requires in-depth knowledge of weather dynamics and the optimal environmental conditions for crops. To implement effective management of plastic greenhouses, it is essential to recognize how climatic fluctuations affect plant growth and production throughout the various seasons. Heating systems form a significant part of the costs in constructing plastic greenhouses, and deficiencies in these systems can lead to negative impacts on quality, quantity, duration of cultivation, and production volume. Therefore, accurately calculating heating costs is crucial for reducing operational expenses. This study included the development of a computer program to determine the heating needs of plastic greenhouses, considering various factors such as the geographical location of the greenhouse, crop type, covering materials, heating system used, and land area. The results showed that Syria needs 4.56 megawatts of energy for the greenhouses, with the Tartus Governorate consuming the largest share, with energy consumption rates in Tartus, Latakia, Homs, and Damascus countryside amounting to 3.6, 0.3, 0.51, and 0.19 megawatts, respectively. The crops of tomatoes, vegetables, strawberries, and tropical plants consumed 2.2, 1.66, 2.21, and 0.244 megawatts of energy, respectively. This study is an important step towards achieving sustainable and efficient agriculture that contributes to supporting the economy and protecting the environment in Syria.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Greenhouse, Heating, Energy, Syria

Kaynakça

• Al Miaari A, El Khatib A, Ali HM. 2023. Design and thermal performance of an innovative greenhouse. Sustain Energy Technol Asses, 57: 103285.
• Attar I, Farhat A. 2015. Efficiency evaluation of a solar water heating system applied to the greenhouse climate. Solar Energy, 119: 212-224.
• Attar I, Naili N, Khalifa N, Hazami M, Farhat A. 2013. Parametric and numerical study of a solar system for heating a greenhouse equipped with a buried exchanger. Energy Conver Manage, 70: 163-173.
• Chou S, Chua K, Ho J, Ooi C. 2004. On the study of an energy-efficient greenhouse for heating cooling and dehumidification applications. Applied Ener, 77: 355-373.
• Dimitropoulou AMN, Maroulis VZ, Giannini EN. 2023. A Simple and Effective Model for Predicting the Thermal Energy Requirements of Greenhouses in Europe. Energies, 16: 6788.
• Ghaly N, Gürdil GA, Duran H, Demirel B. 2024. Calculating Greenhouse Heating Capacities under Egypt's Climate Conditions: Using a Computational Program. Tarım Mak BiliM Derg, 20: 25-40.
• Gruda N. 2005. Impact of environmental factors on product quality of greenhouse vegetables for fresh consumption. Critical Rev Plant Sci, 24: 227-247.
• Hainoun A, Omar H, Almoustafa A, Seif Al-din MK. 2010. Developing an optimal energy supply strategy for Syria in view of GHG reduction with least-cost climate protection. Joint ICTP/IAEA Workshop on Alternative Response Actions to Climate Change and Energy Options, 5 - 9 October 2010, ICTP, Miramare, Trieste, Italy, pp: 268.
• Hesenow S, Zamrik MA, Alkayer M. 2015. Assessment of cholinesterase in greenhouse workers exposed to insecticides in the coastal region of Syria. J Chem Pharmac Res, 7: 576-580.
• Kawasaki Y, Yoneda Y. 2019. Local temperature control in greenhouse vegetable production. The Horticult J, 88: 305-314.
• Kelley CP, Mohtadi S, Cane MA, Seager R, Kushnir Y. 2015. Climate change in the Fertile Crescent and implications of the recent Syrian drought. Proceed National Acad Sci, 112: 3241-3246.
• Khammayom N, Maruyama N, Chaichana C, Hirota M. 2022. Impact of environmental factors on energy balance of greenhouse for strawberry cultivation. Thermal Engin, 33: 101945.
• Khatib A, Sizov AP. 2022. Mapping the spatial distribution and potential expansion of agricultural plastic greenhouses in Tartus Syria using GIS and remote sensing techniques. Geocarto Inter, 2022: 1-24.
• Kläring HP, Klopotek Y, Krumbein A, Schwarz D. 2015. The effect of reducing the heating set point on the photosynthesis growth yield and fruit quality in greenhouse tomato production. Agric Forest Meteor, 214: 178-188.
• Max JF, Horst WJ, Mutwiwa UN, Tantau HJ. 2009. Effects of greenhouse cooling method on growth fruit yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in a tropical climate. Scientia Horticul, 122: 179-186.
• Morshed W, Abbas L, Nazha H. 2022. Heating performance of the PVC earthair tubular heat exchanger applied to a greenhouse in the coastal area of west Syria: An experimental study. Thermal Sci Engin Prog, 27: 101000.
• Ponce P, Molina A, Cepeda P, Lugo E, MacCleery B. 2014. Greenhouse design and control. CRC press Boca Raton, Florida, USA, pp: 162.
• Van der Salm C, Katzin D, van Os E, Raaphorst M. 2023. Design of a greenhouse for peri-urban horticulture in Algeria. Wageningen University & Research BU Greenhouse Horticulture, Wageningen, Holland, pp: 97.
• Yavuzcan G. 1995. İçsel tarım mekanizasyonu. Ankara Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi, Yayın No: 1416, Ders Kitabı: 409, ISBN: 975-482-266-2, Ankara, Türkiye, ss: 256.