Software for calculating the effect of energy saving investments on greenhouses

This paper describes the development of software (EOM) to provide a tool for commercial growers in order to determine the site-specific effects of energy saving investments. Results consist of energy use, crop production and an extensive economic overview. The core of the software is a scientific model (KASPRO) which simulates the greenhouse climate accurately and computes the resulting energy consumption. Instead of simply adding general (manufacturer) data about the energy potentials of investments, mutual influences of a combination of investments are taken into account automatically. With the software it is easy to determine both the energetic and economical effect of e.g. a changed illumination level, a double layered greenhouse cover or the use of bio fuel. Currently the software is available for tomato, freesia, kalanchoe and chrysanthemum growers