US 11,684,025 B2 · Centralized predictive controller for management and optimal operation of microgrid powered greenhouses

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for a greenhouse indoor environment controller based on model predictive control (MPC), which can be integrated into existing greenhouse regulatory systems to optimally maintain critical climatic variables, including artificial lighting levels, CO2, indoor temperature, and humidity levels within acceptable limits. The objectives of the MPC may be to maximize the rate of crop photosynthesis while optimizing the use of the available water and energy resources, taking into account the unpredictability and intermittent nature of renewable energies and external atmospheric conditions. Accordingly, certain embodiments may facilitate the management of greenhouses by anticipating control actions for a better quality of production. For that, mathematical formulations of the optimal control problem may be described, and the numerical results related to the application of the MPC to case studies are described integrating the effects of greenhouse structural considerations and the influence of climate data on its operation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method, comprising:

initiating, by a device, a state of a greenhouse;
acquiring new environmental data from one or more sensors after initiating the state of the greenhouse;
updating one or more model predictions based on the acquired data;
computing a predicted renewable power generation of one or more renewable energy sources after updating the one or more model predictions;
performing an optimization calculation based on the one or more model predictions or the predicted renewable power generation;
and
generating a control signal based on the optimization calculation,
wherein the control signal is to control one or more systems associated with the greenhouse, wherein the one or more systems are associated with controlling environmental conditions within the greenhouse.

5 more elements

An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor;
and
at least one memory including computer program code,
wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:
initiate a state of a greenhouse;
acquire new environmental data from one or more sensors after initiating the state of the greenhouse;
update one or more model predictions based on the acquired data;
compute a predicted renewable power generation of one or more renewable energy sources after updating the one or more model predictions;
perform an optimization calculation based on the one or more model predictions or the predicted renewable power generation;
and
generate a control signal based on the optimization calculation,
wherein the control signal is to control one or more systems associated with the greenhouse, wherein the one or more systems are associated with controlling environmental conditions within the greenhouse.

9 more elements

An apparatus, comprising:

means for initiating a state of a greenhouse;
means for acquiring new environmental data from one or more sensors after initiating the state of the greenhouse;
means for updating one or more model predictions based on the acquired data;
means for computing a predicted renewable power generation of one or more renewable energy sources after updating the one or more model predictions;
means for performing an optimization calculation based on the one or more model predictions or the predicted renewable power generation;
and
means for generating a control signal based on the optimization calculation,
wherein the control signal is to control one or more systems associated with the greenhouse, wherein the one or more systems are associated with controlling environmental conditions within the greenhouse.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Centralized predictive controller for management and optimal operation of microgrid powered greenhouses

Life of this patent

Centralized predictive controller for management and optimal operation of microgrid powered greenhouses

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20