CONCEPT FOR WATER, HEAT AND FOOD SUPPLY FROM A CLOSED GREENHOUSE - THE WATERGY PROJECT

This paper describes the basic operation of a new type of closed greenhouse for solar thermal energy storage, water recycling, water desalination and advanced horticultural use. A system of constant air humidification enables the transfer of large amounts of energy via latent heat from the greenhouse to a thermal storage. To accomplish this, only little air velocity is required and can be provided by a buoyancy driven air circulation system. It is realised by a combination of a cooling tower and a secondary heat collector. In this heat collector the air is humidified to the maximum level before the process of heat exchange.