ELIMINATING SALINITY PROBLEMS WITH THE GREENHOUSE OF THE FUTURE

     Greenhouses are profligate users of energy and clean water. It is postulated that future ”greenhouses” will comprise well insulated closed circuit structures with the major source of energy being electricity from such renewable energy sources as solar panels, and windmills. Photosynthetic radiation will be provided by low heat producing blue and red Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s), and because of this the “greenhouse” environment transpiration water will be condensed and returned as required to the re-circulating hydroponic system. Because of the re-circulation of the internal atmosphere, high levels of CO₂ (up to 2000ppm) will be economically possible, and photosynthesis will be possible for up to 24 hours (if biologically possible). Crops (such as tomatoes) can be replanted while the earlier crop is still cropping, by simply placing some LED panels at ground level. It is predicted that such systems have the potential to produce tomato yield of in excess of 400kg/m²/year. Excess electrical energy will be stored as hydrogen (obtained by electrolysis), and converted back to electricity by means of a hydrogen fuel cell. Using such a technology the only water removed from the “greenhouse” will a product, and this may well be replaced entirely by the respiration water from the workers. If there is in fact a need for additional water it can be provided “clean” water obtained by reverse osmosis. Salinity problems will then be a thing of the past.

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