Energy Dispatch Optimization for Controlled Environment Agriculture with Combined Heat and Power
Research Poster Engineering 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Jacob Seiler
Exhibition Number 119
Abstract
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) offers sustainable solutions for the agriculture and food industries but faces significant financial and environmental challenges due to high energy demands. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, complimented by technologies like thermal and battery storage, absorption cooling, and carbon capture, can improve efficiency and performance of CEA facilities while providing resilient and reliable power. The role of CHP as a dual source of energy and CO2 in CEA remains underexplored, particularly in terms of optimizing energy dispatch with multiple storage and utilization technologies to balance operational costs and environmental impacts. This research presents a multi-objective mixed-integer linear program for CEA sites, optimizing energy procurement and management to minimize cost and emissions. Additionally, the synergetic benefits of co-locating CEA sites with data centers for increased energy utilization and waste heat recovery are investigated. The model is an adaptable optimization tool capable of evaluating and comparing scenarios across various technology portfolios, facility types, operational goals, and grid-connectivity types. Results from a case study of a simulated 25-acre tomato greenhouse in State College, PA demonstrate the value of the model. CHP and auxiliary technologies are shown to significantly improve operational outcomes compared to the baseline scenario. Financial and environmental tradeoffs are evaluated with a pareto front developed by varying the respective objective weights for costs and emissions. Finally, simulations for a combined greenhouse and data center facility show cost and emissions reductions attributed to co-location with an integrated energy system.
Importance
The importance of this work lies in enabling sustainable crop production by improving cost and emissions related to energy procurement and management at controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) facilities. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems can lower costs and reduce emissions for CEA sites by efficiently providing electricity, heat, cooling, and CO2 to promote crop growth in greenhouses. CHP can also generate additional revenue streams and increase energy resiliency in the community if utilized correctly. This research aims to optimize CHP-based energy systems to limit challenges and create opportunities for CEA businesses. This helps communities thrive and helps operators and designers make responsible, clean, cost-effective energy decisions.