Growing by Plant Empowerment

Growing by Plant Empowerment focuses on achieving an optimal growth climate with low energy costs by using partly existing and partly new techniques based on the energy and moisture balances of the greenhouse, using plant knowledge and physical principles. This website demonstrates some of these physical principles in the form of simplified simulation / calculation models. By playing with these models, you get a better picture of the processes that play a role around the energy and moisture balance in the greenhouse, a first step in applying the principles of Plant Empowerment in practice.

These simulation / calculation models are developed by LetsGrow.com.

Moisture discharge Moisture discharge

Injection of outdoor air by fans is a controlled way of ventilation and thus discharge of moisture. This model shows how much moisture can be exhausted depending on outside conditions and fan capacity.

Moisture transport Moisture transport

To prevent moisture accumulation in the crop, water vapour must be moved upwards from the plants to the roof of the greenhouse. This calculation model shows that diffusion of water vapor in still air causes only very little moisture transport and that this is strongly promoted by air movement.

Energy consumption Energy consumption

The energy consumption of a greenhouse depends on the outside conditions and the insulation factor (u-value) of the greenhouse.

Energy screens Energy screens

Effective use of energy screens is an important means of reducing energy demand. This calculation model focuses on the energy aspect. However, the use of single or multiple screens also provides a better and more uniform greenhouse climate due to less heat emission and cold fall.

Ventilation rate Ventilation rate

Ventilation affects the energy balance, the moisture balances and the CO2 emissions of the greenhouse. This calculation model demonstrates the influence of greenhouse temperature and RH on the required ventilation rate and shows how a better choice of target values for temperature and humidity can substantially improve CO2 efficiency.