Calibration and Implementation of a Dynamic Energy Balance Model to Estimate the Temperature in a Plastic-Covered Colombian Greenhouse

Abstract

Modeling and simulation have become fundamental tools for the microclimatic analysis of greenhouses under various climatic conditions. These models allow precise control of the climate inside the structures and the optimization of their performance under any situation. In Colombia, the availability of energy balance models adapted to local greenhouses and their climate is limited, which affects the decision-making of both technical advisors and growers. This study focused on calibrating and evaluating a dynamic energy balance model to predict the thermal behavior of an innovative type of plastic-covered greenhouse designed for the Bogotá savanna. The selected model considers fundamental heat and mass transfer processes, incorporating parameters that depend on the architecture of the structure and local climatic conditions, making it suitable for protected agriculture in Colombia. The results of the post-calibration evaluation showed that the model is highly accurate, with a temperature prediction efficiency close to 86%. This ensures that the model can accurately predict the thermal behavior of the greenhouse being evaluated. It is important to note that the model can also anticipate phenomena characteristics of Colombian greenhouses, such as thermal inversion. This advance has become a valuable tool for decision-making in protected agriculture in the region.