Revolutionizing Greenhouse Energy: Hydrogen-fueled System by KIMM
Key Ideas
- KIMM developed a hydrogen-fueled combined heat and power system for greenhouses, cutting CO₂ emissions by over 50% and operating costs by more than one-third.
- The system integrates multiple renewable energy sources like PEM fuel cells, solar thermal collectors, heat pumps, and adsorption chillers for efficient energy production and waste heat reuse.
- A 660-square-meter smart greenhouse in Jeonju successfully demonstrated the system, achieving a 36.5% reduction in operating costs and a 58.1% cut in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional systems.
- The system's integrated control system optimizes energy flows, ensuring stable energy production regardless of external weather conditions and contributing to energy self-sufficiency in greenhouse agriculture.
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has made significant strides in revolutionizing greenhouse energy systems with the development of a hydrogen-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) system. This system, successfully tested in a 660-square-meter smart greenhouse in Jeonju, South Korea, showcases an innovative approach to energy independence and carbon reduction in agriculture.
By combining PEM fuel cells, air-source heat pumps, solar thermal collectors, and adsorption chillers, the system efficiently generates electricity and reuses waste heat for cooling and heating. This integration of multiple renewable energy sources ensures stable energy production throughout different seasons and times of the day, reducing CO₂ emissions by over 50% and cutting operating costs by more than one-third compared to conventional greenhouse systems.
The system's efficiency is further enhanced by an integrated control system that optimizes energy flows between different heat sources, maximizing energy stability and minimizing interdependence. Through real-time monitoring and control, the system ensures reliable energy production regardless of weather conditions.
Moreover, the use of an adsorption chiller capable of producing chilled water at lower temperatures, along with storage of heat from the fuel cells and solar collectors in a thermal storage tank, allows for effective cooling during summer months. This comprehensive approach results in a 36.5% reduction in operating costs and a 58.1% decrease in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional greenhouse heat pump systems.
The successful cultivation of tomatoes over six months in the demonstration greenhouse highlights the system's practical application and economic viability. Dr. Sang Min Lee, from KIMM, emphasized the system's suitability for Korea's fluctuating energy demands and its pioneering use of hydrogen fuel cells in smart farming.
Overall, KIMM's innovation signifies a major step towards sustainable and efficient agriculture, showcasing the potential of combining renewable energy sources in greenhouse operations.
Topics
Fuel Cells
Renewable Energy
Technology
Innovation
Sustainability
Energy Efficiency
Research
Agriculture
Smart Farming
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