Study and modeling of the thermal behavior of a greenhouse heated by solar energy using PCM

Abstract

The world has witnessed significant demographic growth and environmental challenges, prompting researchers to seek sustainable solutions to ensure food security and protect the environment. To address these challenges, solar energy technologies have been adopted in agricultural greenhouses, which are an important part of modern agriculture. Despite advancements in greenhouse technology, improving the microclimate remains a challenge, as this gap affects agricultural production, increases operational costs, and consumes more energy. This study aims to improve the heating system in semi-arid regions using a new latent heat storage system, taking ventilation into account to enhance productivity. In this experiment, a phase change material (PCM) was used to store heat during the day and release it at night. To verify the effectiveness of the system, the obtained results were analyzed based on temperature and relative humidity inside the greenhouse. Additionally, the NARX (Nonlinear Autoregressive with Exogenous Inputs) algorithm was employed within the predictive model. This algorithm relies on past values of the studied variables and external inputs, allowing for capturing the precise temporal dynamics of the microclimate inside the greenhouse. The results showed that this approach improves prediction accuracy and supports better decision-making in agricultural energy management.