US (MA): Project to help growers peer-reviewing resources to be completed

Resource Innovation Institute, in partnership with American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, are nearing completion of a comprehensive project to support Massachusetts cannabis cultivators with peer-reviewed resources to help them address the subjects featured in the first energy regulations…

Save energy in the fall

Changing seasons means it's time to reassess your lighting and watering goals for the Fall. As you know, greenhouse energy costs account for a significant share of a grow operation costs. Using…

360 Energy

"Grow your margins as well as your plants"

Today, we know that so much can be done to optimize a greenhouse’s energy consumption and purchasing practices leading to improved margins. Even with this understanding, there are still some greenhouse operators who believe that controlling Energy: Makes no difference to their bottom line. Or, they are doing…

Indoor cannabis cultivation and energy consumption

A typical indoor cannabis grow uses multiple lamps that each run on 600 to 1000 watts for the lamp plus 120 watts for the ballast, plus a load of fans, pumps, filters and even air conditioning to cool everything down. These attach to breakers that run on 120 or 240 volts and each of them draws from four…

Geothermal energy for greenhouse application

Mariska Dreschler with GreenTech did an interview with Marit Brommer, passionate about geothermal energy and the Executive Director of the International Geothermal Association. In the interview, they talked about:  Why is geothermal energy a logical source for greenhouses The sustainability factors of sustainable energies…

How do I overcome supply limitations in my local electricity grid?

Since the indoor agriculture sector is one of the fastest growing sources of load in Ontario, a critical issue for growers currently, is their ability to access affordable grid electricity and natural gas pipeline for their current Greenhouse operations and their facility expansion plans. Major decisions…

UK: Ground & air source heat pumps - Navigating the RHI

Many nurseries have proved that the RHI can provide a great additional income whilst allowing for substantially lower fuel supply costs. Growers are now regularly comparing Ground & Air Source systems to the commonly used Biomass since the government have guaranteed the incentive until March 2022.…

US: Cannabis facility efficiency opportunities for MEEA members

In August, RII Technical Director Gretchen Schimelpfenig spoke on a panel at the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) webinar Exploring Energy Efficiency in the Cannabis Industry. Gretchen joined experts from energy efficiency program implementers and utilities working in New England, the Midwest,…

Arlette Sijmonsma

Energy simulation model for control of multi-span greenhouse microclimate

In a recent study, a building energy simulation model of a multi-span greenhouse using a transient system simulation program to simulate greenhouse micro environments was proposed. The proposed model allows daily and seasonal control of screens, roof vents, and heating setpoints according to crop needs.…

Metaflex

Whitepaper on energy saving measures

Metaflex wrote a white paper on energy loss via refrigeration doors and energy-saving measures. In the food industry, refrigeration and freezer doors are of paramount importance for maintaining product quality. A large amount of energy is required to keep the temperature in your refrigeration or freezer…