Webinar Series Answers Questions on Energy Conservation and Alternative Fuels
Do you have questions about energy conservation and alternative fuels for heating greenhouses? Find answers in this four-part series of free webinars, funded by a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant.
- Greenhouse Energy Conservation (10 to 11:15 a.m. CST, Jan. 7, 2010), presented by Scott Sanford, senior outreach specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison: Topics will include type of structure, glazing materials, types of heat loss, infiltration losses, heating systems, heat distribution, thermal curtains, space efficiency, summer ventilation, supplemental lighting and a brief look at passive solar greenhouse design.
- Thermal/Shade Curtains for Greenhouses (10 to 11:15 a.m. CST, Jan. 12, 2010), presented by Scott Sanford: Topics will include the advantages and uses of a curtain system, types of configurations, installation issues, basic components, types of curtain materials, installation, curtain opening devices, controls, curtain management, approximate energy savings and installed costs. We also look at an alternative technology that uses foam between poly films to reduce heat losses. There are several greenhouse energy estimation tools available for estimating the energy use and potential energy savings from different energy conserving technologies and management practices which will be reviewed.
- Alternative Fuels for Heating Greenhouses (10 to 11:15 a.m. CST, Jan. 19, 2010), presented by Scott Sanford: This webinar will cover different potential fuel sources (biomass and used oils); types of furnaces and boilers, including outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters, pellet or grain fired boilers/furnaces; standalone stoves; and a case study of two greenhouses. We’ll wrap up the presentation with information on energy grants to help pay cost share the capital costs of energy saving equipment or heating equipment to burn a renewable fuel.
- Energy-Efficiency in Greenhouse Crop Production (10 to 11:15 a.m. CST, Jan. 26, 2010), presented by Erik Runkle, GPN contributor and associate professor at Michigan State University: This session will discuss use of supplemental lighting on plugs and transplants to accelerate cropping and improve plant quality, controlling photoperiod for flowering of finished plants, and energy-efficient temperature strategies during the finish stage.
This free webinar series is open to any agricultural educator. Click here to register.
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