Thinking outside the box

[Klause]

So...

If you built a big round greenhouse. Placed a straw burning furnace in the middle of it, and place the plants in a circle around it... with those requiring the highest temperatures closest to the center.... then use the excess heat and waste/exhaust genergy to generate power with a TEG... you could use the outside cold air as the sink... and generate more power (light) as temps get lower.... A "green" greenhouse... a way to produce food in Sask in winter instead of hauling it in from California...


Hmmm...

[grassfarmer]

How do you get the straw (fuel) into the centre of the circle without creating a passageway that allows heat to escape?

[TASFarms]

Just be like the north eastern states and build green houses on top of warehouses. Use someone's else's heat.

[biglentil]

Nope never work! Ever notice how low the sun stays in winter? Shading therfore a big problem especially with a giant bail furnace in the middle. Ever notice that we only have sunlight for 8 hrs in December? Need two layers of clear poly and small fan to give you R4 insulation factor. Problem is light transmission drops to 70% range even with the best poly. Humidity and condensation becomes a huge issue like a continual rainforest. Forget the bails plenty of massive industrial operations provide plenty of waste heat. Gl

[sumdumguy]

Too darn cold here. Minus 30 and 40, not a hope!

[Braveheart]

Imported food not needed if we rely on pemmican.

[Braveheart]

But, the real answer is with all the massive hog operations being built, separate the solid manure and put through a digester. Use the methane captured to power generators for heat and light tp power a greenhouse.

A lot of smell from the lagoon would be gone and fresh veggies for Klause Jr.

[bucket]

Could be done at a power station.....hmmmm

[pourfarmer]

Its only a matter of time before the lighting issue is solved, the specialized LED's are getting to be more affordable and cost almost NIL to run.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Once again, someone offers a potential solution, and almost everyone responds with the reasons why it won't work. No one wants solutions, we just want a place to complain.

[rockpile]

Agreed AB5. We have lots of greenhouses in Alberta with year round production. Look Up Innisfail Growers. Weather hasn't been an issue.

[sumdumguy]

Once again, someone offers a potential solution, and almost everyone responds with the reasons why it won't work. No one wants solutions, we just want a place to complain.

It is a discussion - adults discuss and both sides are presented.

[grassfarmer]

Once again, someone offers a potential solution, and almost everyone responds with the reasons why it won't work. No one wants solutions, we just want a place to complain.

I disagree in this instance. Mine was a genuine question. Maybe Klause has the answer but it's the first thing that struck me as a potential downfall of the plan. Thinking about and asking about pros and cons is how you flesh out ideas.

[biglentil]

Sure anything is possible if you throw enough money and energy at it. Hell im sure a billion dollars might grow a tomato on the moon. Without massive free waste heat, a more moderate climate, low priced labour, a reasonable electricity rate..... it just isn't practical. Any of you have a green house? Or even talked to guys with large operations. Even they often shut down Jan, Feb, March. Sure a greenhouse works great the rest of the year. BUT THAT GREENHOUSE WILL BE LESS EFFICIENT AND MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IMPORTING IN THE COLD WINTER MONTHS.

[Ache4Acres]

The world is changing

In this part of the world running a greenhouse year round is going to be a lot of work for little reward

Indoor hydroponic operation with led grow lights is the now the growth area in high value veggie cultivation