Minimizing the environmental impact by more effective energy utilization

In connection with the large-scale development of high-rise building projects recently in Russia and abroad and their significant energy consumption, one of the main principles in designing is the use of effective energy-saving technologies. Also, important aspects are reducing energy consumption and neutralizing the environmental impact of tall buildings. The most promising areas in the field of integration of solar modules (planar and concentrating) in the construction of buildings are development of BIPV technologies (roofing, film, facade materials), the integration of solar energy concentrators that do not require biaxial tracking (medium and low concentrations) on the facades and roofs of buildings (parabolic concentrators, lenses, and Fresnel mirrors), integration of highly concentrated modules on the roofs of buildings.

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Resource Utilization Efficiencies in a Closed System with Artificial Lighting during Continuous Lettuce Production

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10050723 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 723 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Katsumi Ohyama ◽

Junichi Yamaguchi ◽

Ayumi Enjoji

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Production Rate ◽

Resource Utilization ◽

Urban Agriculture ◽

Production Systems ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Utilization Efficiency ◽

Plant Production ◽

Artificial Lighting ◽

Consumption Rates

New plant production systems with a low environmental impact (or a high resource utilization efficiency) are necessary for urban agriculture development. This study explores the benefits of closed plant production systems (CPPSs) with artificial lighting using a commercial CPPS at Osaka Prefecture University. Lettuce plants were produced continuously as a model for analyzing resource consumption rates, such as electricity, labor, water, and CO2, over two years. Monthly consumption rates of electricity, labor, water, and CO2 increased with the increase in the monthly production rate of the lettuce. The utilization efficiencies (=output/input) of electricity, energy, water, and CO2 were 1.0%, 1.0%, 4.0%, and 32.6%, respectively. If the commercial CPPS maintains the monthly production rate at a higher level, the energy utilization efficiency will increase. The number of air exchanges in a commercial CPPS should decrease to increase water and CO2 utilization efficiencies. Reusing water drained from the air conditioning system and employing a closed loop in the nutrient supply system also contribute to increasing the water utilization efficiency and lowering the environmental impact. Although a commercial CPPS still requires further improvements, it may be a good crop production system for urban agriculture provided resource utilization efficiencies improve.

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