The effect of sensor errors on production and energy consumption in greenhouse horticulture

• Published in: Computers and electronics in agriculture Vol. 79; no. 1; pp. 63 - 66
• Main Authors: Bontsema, J, van Henten, E.J, Gieling, Th.H, Swinkels, G.L.A.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-10-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; ATV Farm Technology; Biological and medical sciences; climate; Computer simulation; crop production; Crops; Economics; energy; Energy consumption; Error detection; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Greenhouse climate control; greenhouses; GTB Tuinbouw Technologie; horticulture; Maintenance; PE&RC; Protected cultivation; relative humidity; Sensors; simulation models; Soilless cultures. Protected cultivation; WUR GTB Tuinbouw Technologie; Energy consumption; Greenhouse climate control; Sensors; Horticulture; Measurement sensor; Greenhouse; Environmental control
• ISSN: 0168-1699; 1872-7107
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compag.2011.08.008

The accuracy of sensors used in Dutch greenhouses for climate control has been assessed and the influence of sensor errors on the energy consumption and crop production has been determined using model simulations. It is shown that currently used sensors are prone to errors exceeding current standards set for practice. The extra energy consumption, due to sensor inaccuracy, is mainly caused by the sensors for global radiation and relative humidity. Sensor errors may result in a higher crop production but at the expense of a higher energy consumption resulting in a loss in economic return of the crop production process. Results indicate that sensor maintenance is economically feasible because the resulting energy savings exceed the costs of the maintenance operation.