Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Wooster, Ohio » Application Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #389047
Research Project: Sustainable Production and Pest Management Practices for Nursery, Greenhouse, and Protected Culture Crops

Location: Application Technology Research

Title: Using Virtual Grower to model greenhouse energy use

Author
item Boldt, Jennifer
item Harbick, Kale
item Hegazy, Yahia

Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2021
Publication Date: 11/1/2021
Citation: Boldt, J.K., Harbick, K.J., Hegazy, Y.M. 2021. Using Virtual Grower to model greenhouse energy use. Trade Journal Publication. November 2021. p.9-12.

Interpretive Summary: Energy costs for heating and supplemental lighting are a substantial percentage of total energy costs for greenhouses during winter and early spring production. Virtual Grower is a software tool designed by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) that allows users to build a virtual greenhouse and estimate energy costs. This software tool lets growers run a variety of "what-if" simulations to estimate energy use and compare different scenarios before making a final decision on a new facility or energy-efficient upgrade at an existing facility. It has helped growers reduce energy costs and invest in more energy-efficient features in their greenhouses.

Technical Abstract: Virtual Grower is a software tool designed by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) that allows users to build a virtual greenhouse and estimate energy costs based on location, heating and lighting systems selected, and desired greenhouse conditions. This article details different scenarios and simulations possible with Virtual Grower, two case studies as examples, and design features that will be included in the next version.