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| Big energy savings through ‘temperature integration’ | |
| Commercial scale trials in England on pot Chrysanthemums and Poinsettia crops during 2002 demonstrated that energy savings between 13% and 35 % were possible, by following the technique of ‘temperature integration’. It would appear that by using 24hr integration over a three day period 25% of the energy used for heating could easily be saved. The key to energy savings is the reduction in heat used to maintain the set point in a greenhouse area. Instead, by using the ‘temperature integration’ technique, the temperature is allowed to vary within grower defined limits, about a desired average that is mainatained by the climate control computer. The degree hours gained from solar radiation during the day allow the temperature to fall below the average at some point in the future, often that night. In the experiments, there were no marketing, quality, scheduling or shelf life differences to the finished plants. The trial demonstrated that ‘temperature integration’ could be used with no other change to current practice on commercial nurseries. The crop obtained from the temperature integration technique compared favourably to the commercial control for all physiological measures made. The marketing quality and shelf life were as good as the control. The crop schedule (ready for sale) was never delayed more than 3 days in all varieties, but compared to the energy savings this delay is not significant. The cost saving nationally of using 25% less energy for pot Chrysanthemums and Poinsettia alone is very significant. Collaborators: Priva UK, Double H Nurseries, FEC Services. For further information contact Horticultural Development Council (HDC) Fax 0044 1732 848498 E-mail: hdc@hdc.org.uk www.hdc.org.uk |
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