Energy Efficiency – Horticulture

Horticulturists typically grow crops in a greenhouse or polytunnel, where the following factors can be regulated:    

• Temperature
• Humidity 
• Light 
• Carbon dioxide

When controlled to an optimal level, these conditions maximise the plant yield per unit of energy consumed. Creating desired conditions requires significant energy inputs, so it is important to work towards improving energy efficiency to save costs. This module will outline methods to maximise efficiency across several areas within horticulture, including heat delivery, irrigation and storage.