Environmental control models for medicinal herb growth

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Agriculture and agri-food sector is a significant economic driver in Canada, generating 6.6% of the GDP ($108.1 billion) in 2014. Sustainable horticulture relies on active control of temperature, humidity, CO2 and supplemental lighting for providing optimum plant growth conditions with minimal energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The energy required for maintaining optimal conditions in greenhouses is significant, and large amounts of energy are spent on dehumidification. In the case of medical grade cannabis, optimal humidity levels are much lower than those suitable for vegetable cultivation, translating into larger energy demand. The proposed modelling encompasses the implementation of novel and strategic elements including development of new materials, coated microstructures, compact heat and mass transfer components, waste-heat and water recovery, thermal energy storage, sustainable dehumidification units and system integration that are in high-demand in Canadian high-tech and agriculture companies. The outcome of this research project can result in cost-effective and highly-efficient thermal, humidity, and CO2 management systems for greenhouses. The developed modelling for the sustainable technology will further support a host of sustainable energy applications where emerging sorption systems are employed, and sustainable temperature and humidity control is needed, e.g., residential buildings and industrial plants, and will lead to significant improvements in costs, quality, and our environmental footprint.