Intelligrow: A component-based climate control system for decreasing greenhouse energy consumption

A new climate control system has been constructed with the objective of dec reasing energy consumption while maintaining - even increasing - plant prod uctivity. The climate was controlled in accordance with both outside irradi ance and microclimate of the plants inside. Using mathematical models for t he absorption of irradiance, leaf photosynthesis and respiration, the micro climate was optimized while energy consumption was significantly decreased. A six months' trial of the system resulted in energy savings ranging from 8% in late spring (April to June) to 40% in spring proper (March to May).