Verhoging van energie-efficiency bij intensieve glastuinbouw productiesystemen: ontwikkeling van high-tech sensorsystemen voor monitoring en besturing van energiezuinige kassen: Fibre Bragg glasvezelsensoren

Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture and TNO conducted a study on the application of Fibre Bragg optic sensors to measure temperature and relative humidity in greenhouses at high spatial density. Sensors, incorporated in an experimental enclosure, were evaluated under practical conditions in a greenhouse at Bleiswijk (NL). Their performance appeared to be similar to that of existing wireless electronic sensors. In order to save energy when using their heating, growers may so obtain relative humidity at higher spatial density and grow at a higher average humidity level. Sensors indicate at an early stage if there is condensation and consequently a higher risk on diseases somewhere in the greenhouse. Rule of thumb is that every percent increase in the humidity will yield about 3.5% of energy or 1 m³ natural gas equivalents. In addition to energy saving, investing in a distributed monitoring network also has an economic advantage. Another advantage is that fiber-optic sensor networks can be extended to larger areas and with other sensor types at little more costs. However, little research and no practical experience is gained with fiber optic sensors in greenhouses. More research is still needed in order to arrive at a system ready for practice.