Minimizing Energy Input, Exergy Loss and Environmental Impacts of Greenhouse Systems in Iran and Switzerland by Exploiting Industrial Symbiosis Opportunities

Globally there is a growing interest for year-round food production in greenhouses. However, high energy demand in greenhouse systems results in food systems becoming vulnerable to the global energy challenge. In this study, we develop solutions to (a) lower energy input and exergy losses, (b) supply clean energy and (c) minimize environmental impacts of greenhouse systems in Iran and Switzerland. We strive to make use of waste heat from other industries as input to greenhouse systems. In particular, we look at waste heat from municipal solid waste incinerators, thermal power plants, biogas plants and other target industries (e.g. clinker kilns). Economic and environmental assessments, including exergy analysis and life cycle assessment, are performed to evaluate symbiotic pathways. The overall model is applied to two very different national contexts (Iran and Switzerland) to derive policy recommendations. The results reveal country specific pathways for symbiotic opportunities and possibilities to develop sustainable national greenhouse agriculture plans, but the developed models can also be parameterized to other regions.